8 Best Books for People Who are Hard to Buy For

History, Romance, Fiction, Nonfiction and Cookbook Gift Suggestions

Nov 9, 2009

These books are for anyone looking to find their way. Books to entertain as well as help with the journey and the destination.

These may not be best sellers, not necessarily popular, nor even newly published this year. But they are books to give to special people. Some stood the test of time. Some are new but timeless, and some are simply too good not to share!

First on the list, for the fiction lover, probably female who enjoys a well written romance, exceptionally well researched historic novel and a surprising and effective para-normal twist. Diana Gabaldon’s series begins with Outlander. An English woman, at the end of World War II, travels back in time to the mid-1700 Scottish Highlands. Claire and Jamie – a love story that has fans from around the world. Best if read in order. Seven books in the series with Echo in the Bone, which was published in 2009.

Newly published and addressing a long unexplored niche for historians, U. S. military history buffs, and anyone wishing to read about courage. The author has compiled a list of approximately 500 men along with details of their deeds that garnered the honor of their name given to U.S. military installations around the world. This may be the only reference book that elicits emotions and a sense of awe at the uncommon courage recounted in this book's pages. The author's website includes excerpts. Available from Little Miami Publishing Co., 19 Water Street, Milford, OH 45150. Perfect for man or woman.

Uncommon Grounds: The History of Coffee and How It Transformed Our World by Mark Pendergrast

This next offering is a coffee lover's and factaholic's delight. The author writes: “A good cup of coffee can turn the worst day tolerable, can provide an all-important moment of contemplation, can rekindle a romance. And yet, poetic as its taste may be, coffee's history is rife with controversy and politics." A fun to read, well written and informative as well as entertaining book that will change the way coffee is perceived.

A Life of Spice: Food, Culture, and Lifestyle with Monica Bhide by Monica Bhide

Monica Bhide combines family and food with the exotic fare of India. Freelance Journalist Andrea King Collier writes: “Monica’s cookbook, Modern Spice is even more special because it is a treasure chest of adventure and flavor. At first glance her beloved India seems far away and exotic, compared to the South of my roots. Yet there is comfort and a sense of home in the way she writes about family and food, that reminds me how people are connected in what matters.”

Any Golfing Novels by John or Tom CoyneEven those stoic men who say they never open a book can be enticed to venture into the pages of these books written by a couple of Coynes. Tightly written, fast paced, entertaining, with well researched facts and PGA history. The Caddy Who Knew Ben Hogan or his latest The Caddie Who Played with Hickory, are written by John Coyne. Then there’s the witty, irreverent, poignant and thoroughly entertaining books by Tom Coyne. Begin with A Course Called Ireland: A Long Walk in Search of a Country, a Pint and the Next Tee.

Art + Quilt: Design Principles and Creativity Exercises by Lyric Kinard

Fabric lovers, creative types, crafty people, anyone who wants to 'make' something will not only love the book, but the author as well. Kinard teaches readers how to find that missing link to creativity – the play gene that kids seem to possess and adults can’t find. And then she helps exercise unused creative muscles with specially designed projects.

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir

An oldy-but-goody to introduce a teen or young woman to the joys of feminist thought. This book revised the way women thought and talked about themselves. Forty years later it still retains the vitality and passion and truths. “One day I wanted to explain myself to myself…And it struck me with a sort of surprise that the first thing I had to say was ‘I am a woman.’”

The War of Art by Steven PressfieldPressfield speaks to the heart of an artist, those bogged down in a life unlived, and to those struggling with fear and self doubt. Pressfield mentions the unlived life, the resistance, and the fears just to mention a few relevant issues artists, and the rest of the population face. HOL101

The copyright of the article 8 Best Books for People Who are Hard to Buy For in Entertaining is owned by Dawn Goldsmith. Permission to republish 8 Best Books for People Who are Hard to Buy For in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.