AOL's Book Maven

I'll have my Holiday Gift Books List up later today (I talked about it on WABC-TV NY last weekend, and I have to tell you -- just buy the Scharffenberger chocolate book -- you won't be sorry!). I have a lot of different things on it and am already thinking of the many books I couldn't include, overlooked, etc. Sigh. Such is the Thanksgiving holiday of a book maven, who visits her friends' and families' homes mainly to prowl their bookcases.

However, it's "Cyber-Monday," that media-coined term for the day when Internet holiday madness begins in earnest, so I am wondering what books you are planning to buy for gifts. Will you order them online? Or do you prefer to do your gift-book shopping in real bookstores? (OK, Majbeck, I'm ready for the R.J. Julia plug and wishing I could be there shopping right next to you!)

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• #1 Comment from majbeck
  11/27/06 10:15 PM | Permalink

  Maven, you've got me pegged... Roxanne Coady and RJ JULIA booksellers are two of the things that I am thankful for all year long... although, alas, I am a summer visitor. I love the store.I like that the employees are readers, are reviewers ( you can read their reviews right under the book itself, usually in their own handwriting>) It is a great place to shop for gifts, because the recommendations are always spot on.
  I am a big fan of coffee table books and cookbooks as gifts... Last year it was the NEw York cartoon compendium. Maybe this year it will be Annie Liebowitz's newest. As for cookbooks, I am always giving in anything Ina Garten or Paula Dean puts out.  (But, if buying for you, Maven, It would be Anton Edelman's Taking Tea at the Savoy ( 2003 but fabulous) and a good box of fornum and mason tea.  Cream puffs to follow.)
  For kids- its gotta be Eragon and Charlotte's Web... as my rule is you must read the book before you see the movie. And besides, E.B.White need to be required reading for all 11 year olds. Those are my gifts this year....