Looking for a book? Here’s your holiday guide

Oy, as in JOY: a joyous season for family.

Oy, as in TOY: what the kids want from Santa.

Oy, as in OY, I don’t have my Christmas shopping done so now what am I going to do?

Yeah, and that last one is the toughie. So why not relax and head to the bookstore. Look for some of these gift ideas and wrap up a book:

Fiction

There’s a little intrigue and lots of small-town flavor in “Cranberry Red,” the fourth in the Ames County series by Jerry Apps. In this new installment, people are getting sick because of a new chemical added to Wisconsin’s beloved cranberry crop. Can there be a connection?

And more: if your giftee loves a good whodunit, check out “Truthful Moments” by Tom Reed. When a veteran witnesses a killing, it triggers his PTSD. Separating memory from murder might be a challenge. “Easy As Pie at Bobby’s Diner” by Susan Wingate is another fun mystery with a Thelma-and-Louise flair, and look for “The Shadow Woman” by Ake Edwardson. Set in Sweden, it will make your shiver.

Is your giftee a major fan of “The Office”? Then they’ll love “Russell Wiley Is Out to Lunch” by Richard Hine. Professionally, Russell Wiley’s life stinks and his job at a newspaper is practically causing ulcers. Personally, things are no better. And then it gets worse. Hint: Wrap this book up for your budding journalist.

Does someone on your gift list love to bite into things-that-go-bump-in-the-night novels? Then wrap up “Venom” by Jennifer Estep, because this novel — a bit of urban-fantasy-crime-drama and the third in the series — has vamps, dwarves, assassins, and more, and it’s partly set in a Tennessee BBQ joint. What’s not to love, right?

And along those same lines, look for “The Vampire Book: Third Edition” by J. Gordon Melton. This uber-comprehensive “Encyclopedia of the Undead” will surely make your vampire fan show her fangs with happiness this holiday.

Who doesn’t like a good whodunit for the holidays?

If you know your giftee loves intrigue, wrap up “Innocent Monster” by Reed Farrel Coleman. When Moe Prager’s daughter asks for a favor, he dusts off his PI license and gets to work. Also look for “By Hook or By Crook“, edited by Ed Gorman & Martin H. Greenberg. That’s an anthology by more than two dozen of your favorite authors, and it’s a can’t-miss for mystery mavens.

If there’s a Monkeewrench fan on your list (and if there is, you know what I’m talking about), then you’ll get lots of smiles when you give “Shoot to Thrill” by P.J. Tracy. When a floater is found in the Mississippi River, Minneapolis detectives Magozzi and Rolseth are on the case, while the Monkeewrench crew is working with the FBI. Can they, together, stop a killer?

If time is always of the essence for your giftee, then wrap up “Blue Vegas”, a quick-to-read anthology of short stories by P. Moss. There’s a seamy side of the City in the Desert, and Moss writes about it — and he should know. In his “other life,” he’s a gambler himself, as well as a bar owner in Las Vegas. I also liked “As If We Were Prey” by Michael Delp. This skinny book — part of the Made in Michigan Writers Series — is filled with short stories, and is perfect for the giftee who loves to read but is thin on time.

Novel lovers will relish reading “The Good Daughters” by Joyce Maynard. In this book, two “birthday sisters” with totally different personalities share their love for one’s older brother throughout their lives. This book spans several decades and put a smile on the face of everyone who embraces love and family. Also try “An Irish Country Courtship” by Patrick Taylor. Set in Ireland, this sweet romance may be just what a wintering leprechaun needs.

Sometimes, you just need a good oater, right? If you’ve got a western fan on your list, you can’t go wrong with “Texas Standoff” by Elmer Kelton. This novel of the Texas Rangers has horses, guns, cowboys… What more could a reader need?

Without a doubt, there’s times when nothing else but a good story will do. If you’ve got a novel lover on your list, then take a look at “The Wake of Forgiveness” by Bruce Machart, a book about a young horseman’s life quest to make things right and repair the past. Wrap it up with “Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter” by Tom Franklin, another book about the past visiting the present with shaky results.

Parenting

Got a parent on your list? Then look for “Without a Word” by Jill Kelly, wife of football Hall of Famer Jim Kelly. This is the true story of their son Hunter’s illness and how they doggedly looked for a way to save his life against incredible odds. Wrap it up with tissue; it’s that kind of book. Also look for “Shut Up About Your Perfect Kid” by Gina Gallagher & Patricia Konjoian. That’s a book filled with tips and help for parents of special children facing challenges in a world that loves perfection.

Brand-new parents won’t need it now, but they’ll definitely want “CyberSafe” by Gwenn Schurgin O’Keeffe around in the near future. This book will help them keep their kids safe in this digital world — including social media, texting, web searching and gaming — because that little one will be computer literate before you know it. I also liked “Brain Rules for Baby” by John Medina and “Beyond Smart” by Linda Morgan. Both of these books will help you give your baby a jump-start in life. “Every Natural Fact: Five Seasons of Open-Air Parenting” by Amy Lou Jenkins, is for outdoorsy families looking to enjoy the seasons.

Medical/health

Is there someone on your list who has always aspired to a medical profession? Even if he or she has attained the dream, your giftee will love “Becoming a Doctor”, edited by Lee Gutkind. This book consists of many kinds of stories from all kinds of MDs, and tells the good, the bad, and the ugly — all in an entertaining way. Also look for “What’s New, Doc?” by Elaine Myrie-Richards. This fun, quick-to-read book is filled with stories that will make you smile, gasp or shake your head — and they’re all true!

Pets

Does your recipient aspire to be like Dr. Doolittle? Then help them open the flow of communication between dog and owner by giving “Through a Dog’s Eyes” by Jennifer Arnold. This fascinating, useful book will give any dog owner an understandable way to understand their canine best friend, and — just like any good dog book — there are stories to read in between lessons, too.

Nonfiction

Does someone you know love to be scared? You won’t find many things scarier than “Real Monsters, Gruesome Critters, and Beasts from the Darkside” by Brad Steiger. This comprehensive book by the Master of Monsters is filled with short, readable paragraphs about all sorts of things that go bump in the night. Be sure to wrap it up with a flashlight, for obvious reasons…

Does your giftee love the movie (or play) “Chicago”? Then he (or she) will love to read “The Girls of Murder City” by Douglas Perry, the true story that inspired the movie. This book is scandal extraordinaire, and will also appeal to anyone who loves to read about good old-fashioned gangster-era crime.

Why do you like what you like? Good question, answered in “How Pleasure Works” by Paul Bloom. This fascinating book explains what makes us happy, why we choose the things we choose, and why it even matters. Not just for scientists, I think this book is a good gift for businesspeople, teachers, or anyone who loves to study humans.

Every fan of science on your list will love unwrapping “How It Ends” by Chris Impey. How will the world end? How will we end? Will the universe implode? Not a doomsday scenario, this is straight science about how all good must come to an end, and it’s perfect for laboratory lovers or anyone who’s just plain curious about this sort of thing.

Got an athlete on your gift list? Then wrap up “Death, Drugs, and Muscle” by Gregg Valentino. This biography tells the story of a man who got deeply involved with bodybuilding — so much so, that he started dealing in drugs. It’s all true, it’s controversial and it’s cautionary, so be aware. Also look for “A Bum Deal” by Rufus Hannah & Barry M. Soper, a memoir of homelessness, underground fame, and redemption.

Looking for something for the armchair genealogist? Wrap up “Shaking the Family Tree” by Buzzy Jackson. This is the story of a woman in search of a story about her family and where they came from. It’s a fun book and may spur you to get involved in your family’s history, too.

Does someone on your list love to travel? Then you can’t go wrong by giving “Turn Left at the Trojan Horse” by Brad Herzog. This wonderful book is the story of a cross-country search for lost youth and American ideals. Wrap it up in a map and a gas card for a great bon voyage!

If there’s a politician on your list, you may want to look for “More Davids Than Goliaths” by Harold Ford, Jr. This book, part politics and part memoir, also tells the story of a life lived with values and morals, and is perfect for anybody who must know what’s going on in Washington. Your politician may also like “The Handy Philosopher Answer Book” by Naomi Zack. This comprehensive book looks at the lives and words of the great thinkers, and it’s easy to browse, too.

Look for “Dove on a Barbed Wire” by Deborah Steiner-Van Rooyen. It’s the true story of a concentration camp survivor and the author’s almost-40-year journey to piece together his memories and to find family. There’s brutality in this book, but also beauty. I liked “A Sense of Duty” by Quang Pham, too. That’s a memoir from a former Vietnamese refugee who escaped and later became a U.S. Marine combat aviator.

Moms, dads and grandparents are always hard to buy for, but this year, you can rest easy. Wrap up “Next Steps: A Practical Guide to Planning for the Best Half of Your Life” by Jan Warner & Jan Collins. This book covers the basics and then some — finances, health care, marital situations, even planning for your pets. And one more: just to put a smile on someone’s face, look for “The Complete Geezer Guidebook” by Charles F. “Chuck” Adams. Filled with cartoons, jokes, bios, anecdotes and fun, this book (meant for a grump) is definitely anti-grumpy!

For the budding writer, “A Writer’s Book of Days” by Judy Reeves is an excellent gift this holiday. This revised edition includes advice, exercises, fun stories, things to do, and ideas for anyone who wants to work with words. And speaking of writers, look for “The Great Typo Hunt” by Jeff Deck and Benjamin D. Herson, the true story of two men and their cross-country jaunt for the sake of proper punctuation.

Tired of giving the same old thing (cookbooks) to your foodie friend? Then wrap up “Best Food Writing 2010,” edited by Holly Hughes. This book contains stories about eating, eats, and what to eat — and it includes recipes, too.  Oh, and don’t forget to look for “Ripe: The Search for the Perfect Tomato” by Arthur Allen. Yep, it’s a book about tomatoes. Who could resist?

Got a cook on your list? Then wrap up “The Mitsitam Café Cookbook” by Richard Hetzler. This book is filled with recipes from the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, so you know this is a very different kind of cookbook and the sidebars and pictures make it an even better gift. Wrap it up with “Muffins & Mayhem: Recipes for a Happy (if Disorderly) Life” by Suzanne Beecher, a memoir with recipes.

Soap fans will love opening a package that contains “The Days of Our Lives: The True Story of One Family’s Dream and the Untold History of Days of Our Lives” by Ken Corday. This surprising book tells the story of a family that conceived the serial that has kept fans’ attention for over forty-five years. Since you wouldn’t want to burst your soap fan’s bubble, wrap up this book filled with insider peeks, trivia, and reminiscings.

One of my Best Books Ever celebrated the 15th anniversary of its initial publication this year, and I promise you won’t regret wrapping up “Salvation on Sand Mountain” by Dennis Covington, the true story of a journalist who joins a snake-handling church in order to report on an attempted murder. Though the first few pages are a little slow, it’s worth the wait because this book is brilliant. This version updates readers on the lives of the people inside.

Here’s a book you’ll want to wrap up and you’ll also want a copy of your own: “Never Pay Retail Again” by Daisy Lewellyn. Filled with tips, ideas, and ways to look and feel smart on a budget, this book will make you and your giftee both smile in the coming year.

True crime

If there’s a “CSI” fan on your gift list, you’ll be glad to give “The Profiler” by Pat Brown with Bob Andelman. This is the true story of a woman who knows killers like she knows her own face — because she hunts them down for a living. This book is not for the faint of heart, but it’s an excellent read for your armchair detective.

Crime fighters love true crime stories, but this one is different: “Murder Behind the Badge: True Stories of Cops Who Kill” by Stacy Dittrich is a chilling look at the bad guys within the good guys. This book is filled with intriguing and fascinating chapters, each one about a flatfoot with a flat-out need for blood. I also liked “History in Blue” by Allan T. Duffin, a book about women in law enforcement from the 1840s to now.

If your true-crime buff is tired of the same-old, same-old, then why not wrap up something different? Put “The Autobiography of an Execution” by David R. Dow under the tree. This is a memoir by a lawyer who has represented dozens of death-row inmates; it’s about his life, his work, and his beliefs. Wrap it up with another different book: “I Fell in Love with a Con Man” by Elizabeth Grzeszczyk.

Trivia and fun stuff

I’m a big fan of trivia, so I can tell you for sure that “The Judge Who Hated Red Nail Polish” by Ilona Bray, Richard Stim, and the Editors of Nolo is a trivia-lover’s dream. This light-hearted book is filled with “crazy-but-true” stories of law and lawyers, and it made me laugh.

If your giftee is of the nostalgic sort, then “Mr. Ed: Dead” by Barry Nelson and Tom Schecker will gain you smiles. This book is filled with obituaries of famous people (and creatures) that only existed in our imaginations.

Business

You’ve heard a lot of things about “branding.” But did you know that you’ve been branding all your life? So says “The Shark” Daymond John in his book “The Brand Within”. Perfect for young entrepreneurs or anyone who wants to learn more about this business staple, it’s also an easy, entertaining read. Also look for “Do More Great Work” by Michael Bungay Stanier. This quick-to-read book with lots of sidebars and little chapters will help your giftee focus on what’s important in work and life.

At this point in your life, you can recognize an overworked friend from a mile away. So you’ll easily recognize that “More Time for You” by Rosemary Tator and Alesia Latson is a great gift. This book teaches your giftee how to manage life and work and merge both to make more time to enjoy things… like reading. Wrap it up with “Overcoming Buffaloes At Work & In Life” by Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku. It’s a skinny book on keeping up with work so it doesn’t overtake life.

Regional

Who can forget the Flood of 2009? Not your giftee, who lived through it and who will want to read “The 1,000 Year Flood” by Stephen J. Lyons. This book includes a few pictures and lots of stories of other survivors. Another book to check out is “A Short History of Wisconsin” by Erika Janik. This very browse-able book is filled with fun short stories and lots of pictures.

If you’ve got a giftee who’s far away and desperately misses home, then wrap up a little home to send: “Barns of Wisconsin” by Jerry Apps, photographs by Steve Apps. This updated version of Apps’ classic book also includes plenty of stories from a Master Storyteller, and will make your giftee smile through the missing.

Your historian is going to love reading “Badger Boneyards: The Eternal Rest of the Story” by Dennis McCann. Filled with pictures of cemeteries and monuments to average people and heroes alike, this fascinating book is only slightly macabre and a little shivery, but definitely not one to miss.

If there’s a new homeowner or an architect in your family, you’ll rise quickly to Best Present Giver status if you wrap up “Wisconsin’s Own” by M. Caren Connolly & Louis Wasserman, photography by Zane Williams. This heavy, absolutely gorgeous book is filled with

photographs and illustrations of several of Wisconsin’s most-notable homes and resorts, all once owned by lumber barons, beermeisters, and turn-of-last-century millionaires. This is a hard book to let go, so beware: you may want a copy for yourself.

Surely there’s someone on your list who well-remembers the 1950s and ’60s, right? Then you can’t go wrong when you wrap up “Penny Loafers & Bobby Pins” by Susan Sanvidge, Diane Sanvidge Seckar, Jean Sanvidge Wouters, and Julie Sanvidge Florence. This book is absolutely meant for boomer girls who remember skating, dating, waiting to grow up, and hating to leave those years behind. The extra good news: pictures!

Terri Schlichenmeyer writes a weekly book review in Sunday’s Tribune.