Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Books For Christmas


Books For Christmas
The book store was bustling. I had popped in just to purchase the holiday issue of my favourite magazine, British Country Living, and was now inching my way up to the front of a line full of Christmas shoppers. Having an insatiable curiousity about the reading habits of others, I busied myself in an attempt to appear disinterested and nonchalant all the while sneaking secret glances at their choices.
There was the young fellow in the Apple sweatshirt with his reading glasses perched on his nose, already an eighth of the way through the new biography of Jack Kennedy by Chris Matthews. The tall woman in a camel hair coat whose lipstick matched her nail polish perfectly, her hair piled atop her head and secured with a sharpened pencil, smiling dreamily as she flipped through the massive new book, Entertaining, by Martha Stewart. Directly behind me stood a three foot high little boy, clutching a copy of A Sick Day for Amos McGee by Philip C. Stead. By the look on his face as he held this wonderful story of a zookeeper close, I could tell this book was an early Christmas present for himself alone. He had no intention of giving this one away.
There was a little round lady directly in front of me, paying her bill with a grin on her face. The total rang up to be quite astronomical, but she didn’t bat an eye. Instead she triumphantly said to the clerk, “That’s me done! Every present is in here!”. As I watched her walk away, a heavy sack in each hand, I thought about how much fun she’d no doubt had selecting those presents.
I hope you are planning to give books this holiday.
I can think of no better gift to give, or receive.
Here are some to consider this year!

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1. Pilgrimage
by Annie Leibovitz
For someone so adept at photographing others, Annie Leibovitz claims to abhor having her own picture taken. I can sympathize, I hate it as well. You won’t find any portraits in her new book, however. In Pilgrimage, just released a couple of weeks ago, Ms. Leibovitz visits some of the most inspiring locations in our world. From the houses of Emily Dickinson and Virginia Woolf to Georgia O’Keefe and Freud. She wanders the trails above the Yosemite Valley, in the footsteps of Ansel Adams. She photographs the site of Thoreau’s cabin on Walden Pond. This is a truly remarkable book and one that’s on my list to give as well as, hopefully, receive.


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2. The Eye Has To Travel
by Lisa Immordino Vreeland
Let’s face it. We all have need of those steady, solid sorts of people. The ones we depend on to balance our checkbooks when they get out of joint and fill out our tax forms each April. Those who make sure the firewood’s stacked before the snow starts to fall and the cars are filled with gas before before the journey begins. They are the ones who occasionally grab our feet and pull our heads down from the clouds so we can see where we are going and where would all be without them?
But then there is Diana Vreeland. The legendary doyenne of fashion and style who, in her once famous monthly column for Harper’s Bazaar entitled “Why Don’t You” suggested,
Why don’t you wear violet velvet mittens with everything?.
Other suggestions....Why don’t you....
put all your dogs in bright yellow collars and leads”
buy a geranium chiffon toque”
or, my personal favourite,
paint a map of the world on all four walls of your boys’ nursery so they won’t grow up with a provincial point of view?”
A swirling dervish of creativity and unpredictability, the incomparable Vreeland was a standard bearer for wit and a champion of individuality. This beautiful book, The Eye Has To Travel, chronicles her remarkable fifty year career in fashion and it promises not to disappoint.


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3. The Art of Eating
by M.F. K. Fisher
Mary Frances Kennedy Fisher is often called a food writer, a label I have always found to be a staggering limitation of her luminous work. MFK Fisher wrote about all the tiny miracles of life, miracles too often disguised as commonplace. Her graceful words seep into one’s psyche like honey on a biscuit, they marinate in the soul and, as evidenced in this glorious collection, just recently re-released, they age like the finest of wines. Fisher can describe the peeling of a tangerine with such natural, sensual passion that one can practically taste their magic orangeness. Five of Fisher’s wonderful books are here in this grand new edition of The Art of Eating, a book that is always within reach in my kitchen.
You simply must read this!


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4. Charles Dickens Set
You’ve been burning the candle at both ends”.
These irritating eight words were directed at me by my hairdresser last week as I sat, almost dozing, in his chair.
How do you know?”, I asked.
“I know you. I can tell”, he replied.
Realizing I had just been informed that I looked tired (something no lady wants to hear), I decided to treat myself to a leisurely lunch out alone and pointed my car towards my favourite cafe where, over a lovely lunch of grilled salmon and salad with blackberries, I pulled a small copy of “A Christmas Carol” out of my hand bag and began to read. Though the words were so familiar I could practically quote them, they were such a joy to read and I remembered how much fun Dickens can be. I was fascinated by the names of his characters when I was a child. It didn’t require a blazing imagination to clearly picture Uriah Heep, or Wackford Squeers. Abel Magwitch and Tiny Tim, Mr. Micawber and Pip. Miss Flite and her attic full of tiny birds. The tragic Little Nell. And of course, the penultimate miser of fiction, Ebenezer Scrooge. Such fun to fall into this aureate writing, to feel the language wash over you. The everyday world evaporates as you are transported back to the age of Victoria. This is the gift of Dickens and one of the many reasons to read him. Penquin has just released a gorgeous new set of Dickens and it would make a wonderful gift, don’t you think?
Particularly for someone who’s been burning the candle at both ends.


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5. Flush
by Virginia Woolf
There have been lot of dog books on bookstore shelves these past few years. From Good Dog Carl to Marley, they are all charming, I’m sure. But my favourite without doubt will always be Flush. Written by the peerless Virginia Woolf, Flush is the “biography” of the beloved cocker spaniel of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The book follows Flush and his mistress from their confining London rooms to the liberating freedom of Italy. He is even dognapped - a true adventure. This being Woolf, there are deeper waters flowing between the lines as through the brown eyes of this wise cocker spaniel we are invited to consider topics as wide-ranging as feminism and the crushing restrictions of social class structure in Victorian England.
Trust me, you and anyone on your list will love this book.


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6. Sister Parish - American Style
by Martin Wood
If John Fowler and Nancy Lancaster were responsible for celebrating what became known as English Country Style, then surely Sister Parish did the same for American Country Style. One of the first professional “decorators” here in the states, Sister Parish was known for her beautiful, and especially comfortable, rooms - rooms that were often cluttered and homey, yet all the while utterly elegant. She was fond of fat, comfy chairs and four-poster beds, painted furniture and floral chintz. And she always made certain there was a table beside every chair where one could rest a cup of tea or a glass of champagne.
Sister Parish once said, I try to instill the lucky part of my life in each house that I do. Some think a decorator should change a house. I try to give permanence to a house, to bring out the experiences, the memories, the feelings that make it a home."
I so adore that philosophy.
Martin Wood has written marvelous books on both John Fowler and Nancy Lancaster. I own them both and highly recommend them. He now turns his attention to Sister Parish in the lovely new release and it is sure to be a treasure.


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7. Children's Books
I always give books to the children in my life, for I remember how much they meant to me as a child. It’s always such a treat to spend an afternoon in the children’s section of the bookstore, turning the pages of all the new wonderful ones from which to choose.
Here are two of my favourites for this year.


Happy Christmas Shopping,
and Reading!

32 comments:

  1. Can you hear the applause?
    A few are on my to give list!

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  2. Pamela some excellent picks!! I especially would also recommend the new Dickens set!! Oh and many more!

    Please Come and enter in Our Twelve Days of Holiday Giveaways. There are so many exciting & special Gifts! (some books) Tis the Season!

    xoxo

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  3. Excellent selections! Of them all, I have already read Flush--a lovely read. Don't remember where I actually picked up on it quite a few years ago, but blogs are now a big source of finding my reading material--yours included, of course.

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  4. Dear friend!
    We both had books on our minds! Yours are splendid indeed!
    Vreeland, Sister Parish, Dickens, right on my list too!
    If there would be nothing left in life but books I could not be entirely unhappy!
    Why don't you check out my list?

    xoxo

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  5. I am of to the big smoke (Sydney) in a few weeks and my very first call is the nearest book shop. A cosy place with comfortable armchairs, with a table beside for your coffee, good lighting, and beautiful music. The kids know they will not see me for the rest of the day at least not until I stagger through the front door laden down with parcels of books for me and for them.
    I am taking your list along though I do already have quite a few/
    Thank you for the list. xx

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  6. Great list! Will look into it.

    I just ordered Little Old Lady Recipes for myself for Christmas. All the guests here will get comfort food, comfort food and more comfort food in the foreseeable future:D

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  7. Dear Pamela,
    What excellent taste you have in books --as well as other things too.
    I drool over every single book you mention but the charming editions of Dickens delight me so!
    Sending love and warm greetings and many happy hours of winter reading.
    Have you discovered Persephone books.
    Right up your ally I think. Mostly mid twentieth century British women writers in pretty editions.

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  8. You have truly chosen books I would love to have and give. Love that D.V., not to mention A.L. and S.P. The girls and I visited Paris over thanks giving. Every inch of Paris is covered with unique and specialized book sellers, in contrast to the elimination of that institution in the U.S. I see Karena has alerted you to our giveaway. Its been very exciting.
    Best,
    Liz

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  9. Lovely books - wonderful choices. I shall go to my bookshelf and pull out 'Flush' which I had forgotten and am now looking forward to reading again. Thank you!

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  10. I'm planning to give books too! Fisher's book sounds lovely, and perfect for me and my mom!

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  11. The Christmas bookstore scene brought back many lovely and warm memories....thank you...as for the list?
    inspired!

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  12. Love your list, especially the Dickens books and "Flush" by Virginia Woolf, one of the most charming books I have read. So happy you put that one on.

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  13. I remember giving a book to a new friend years ago; she was astonished a book could be a gift! I had been given books all my life; they were always my favorites: Watership Down, Misty of Chincoteague (signed!), Man O' War...as a child, I read horse and science fiction stories. Then I found Dickens - his use of words transported me, sucked me into a world which I knew not before but thoroughly learned. Thanks for your recommendations.
    I heartily recommend "A Lady's Life in the Rocky Mountains: - Isabella Bird has "depression" when in England but travels through the Rocky Mountains on horseback in winter and summer; her letters and stories are well written and point to how being allowed to act is therapeutic for our psyches.
    BTW, I found the Carl books as an adult and love them.

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  14. I have to really control myself right now - otherwise I will go completely crazy at amazon.com. I'm quite sure I need both the Leibovitz book and the Vreeland one - love the quote about the maps. I have always felt a child's room empty without maps. Oh the dreams of going anywhere!

    Love Flush! Such a great book.

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  15. Pamela...I have to leave a quick comment as I want to be sure I mark every single book before I forget! What a great selection, a few new ones to me. I have several books by Annie Leibovitz and am delighted to see there is another to add to my collection...where would we be without beautiful books like these...I shudder to think!

    Elizabeth mentioned Persephone books...a must for you my dear! Thanks for all these great suggestions...off to Google...

    Jeanne xx

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  16. Thank you for this post, Pamela, which will kick me back into a broader reading selection! For some reason I am stuck on cook books and copper pots this year.

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  17. Great suggestions. Thanks! I'm wondering if "I Want my Hat Back" would be OK for my two-year-old grandson. Not sure, but I'm tempted.

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  18. Pamela a big thanks from me too for your list of great reads. Flush is the first book on my list followed up by Sister Parish & the Eye Has to Travel. All too often I don't give the gift of a good book & it's time for that to change.

    Happy holidays!

    Deb

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  19. Hi Pamela

    What an excellent selection of books.
    I don't think I could give any of these away.
    Yes, books are a delightful gift.
    You had fun in the children's aisle too.

    Thanks for this list
    Helen xx

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  20. P. S. I, too, love the British magazines! My favorite is 'Country Homes & Interiors'. I don't indulge myself every month, but sometimes I just need a fix ;-)

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  21. Such a delightful lot of books; I think some might be on "my" list.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  22. I love how you read these real characters by the books they were reading. I agree that books make great gifts. Like you, I’ll be posting my gift book suggestion this week (on Wednesday). I’ll link to yours there and hope there will be more to add to my list.

    Great suggestions! You make me want to flip through Pilgrimage. We have a gorgeous set of leather bound Dickens, although not original editions, I still cherish them. Our house is decorated English country style thanks to my English husband and his relations. We even bought imported English paint for the living room walls. My daughter and I burst to laughter reading I Want my Hat – it’s quite sick for a children’s book. I wasn’t as wild about Grandpa Green although maybe my father in law, who trims his hedges into nautical shapes, would like it.

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  23. What a lovely post! I particularly love the photo of all the Christmas books. I wrote a post about my own Christmas reading this month. I ordered several old books from Amazon and Half.com and am anxiously waiting for them to arrive. I don't know if I'll get them all read by Jan. 1 but will surely give it a try.

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  24. A delight to read (this post)...and the first photograph is a dream...I want to pull down one of those Christmas Red tomes. Thanks for the inspiring picks.

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  25. We're giving our boys books by N.D. Wilson and Alister McGrath.

    (But I'm encouraging others to give the men and boys in their lives "Knox's Irregulars" -- Hubby's book!)

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  26. Oh Pamela,
    What a wonderful selection and, something for everyone. A selection fit for the little round lady and her Christmas presents.
    .....and, as an aside, your first picture was on my Christmas cards last year and, my sister has every British Country Living from # one. They even gave her a blue rosette for her loyalty !! I have had many, but not as many as she !! XXXX

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  27. Always some great book choices. thank you.

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  28. There is nothing better to do after the hustle and bustle of Christmas Day than to curl up with a stack of new books on Boxing Day. Ahhhh.... serenity now.

    Thanks for some great recommendations!

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  29. Oh, M.F.K. Fisher and her "Art of Eating" really opened my eyes to the sensual side of food. Many years ago I read it and have reread it several times since... her description of eating tangerine sections heated on the radiator in her Paris apartment still stays with me. It is truly a masterpiece... I may just have to read it once more now!

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  30. The cats and I are trying to do all of our shopping on the computer. It's much easier on an old lame dude like me.

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  31. Just bought myself 3 Dicken's Christmas stories. Never read them before. I know - I must be the only one.

    Merry Christmas, Pamela, to You & Yours.

    ~p

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  32. thank you for penning this blog. it's very interesting and full of insightful thoughts. i'll be saving this for future use.

    www.joeydavila.net

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I love to read your comments! Each and every one! Though I'm always reading your comments, I may not respond in the comment section. If you want to write me directly, you may do so at pamela@pamelaterry.net. Thank you for reading!