Nov 25, 2008

Weekly Geeks #25--Book Buying Tips for the Holidays

Ok, these virtual book tours are kicking my butt, so I'm a bit behind on Weekly Geeks and number of other holiday posts I had planned.

Weekly Geeks #25:

1. Think about the books that you and people in your life love. It’s best to use more obscure books, because we’ve all heard plenty about the more popular ones.

2. Come up with categories, based on relationship, personality, or whatever else you like. I think this is easier to do once you have your books in mind; you can then just assign categories to those books.

3. Post your own gift giving guide! Add short blurbs about the books, just enough so that your readers can determine if it’d be a good gift for people on their list. Don’t forget to come back and sign Mr Linky.

4. Visit other Weekly Geeks, and if you like their guides, maybe add links to the bottom of your own.

I had planned on doing this on time, but tours got in the way, so here's a short list, which I hope will also help those pledging to buy books for the holidays.

For the consummate Vampire fan:


1.
Vampires and Vampirism: Legends from Around the World by Dudley Wright

This book takes a look at the legends of vampirism and vampires and can be used as a guide for those just getting started in the genre because of the Twilight phenomenon or simply because they are interested in learning more.





2. The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

This is the second book in the Vampire Chronicles series, but it's focus on Lestat, rather than the saga that everyone has seen in the Interview with a Vampire movie starring Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise, provides the reader with an in-depth examination of Lestat's motivations and evolution as a vampire. I loved this book.






Check out Jackie's Fantasy and Vampire list.

For the Poets and Writers on your list:



1. The Poetry Home Repair Manual by Ted Kooser

This book provides poets who are just starting out with some tricks of the trade in repairing or fixing their poems, molding them into the best pieces they can be.








2. The 3 A.M. Epiphany by Brian Kiteley

This is my favorite all-time writer's block breaker, particularly for writers who are working on certain projects and need little nudge in the right direction. I have gotten more than I bargained for when I purchased this book. It's kept me writing even at times when the muse was silent.





Audio Books for those who Don't Read! (DID I just Write that?):

1. Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore

2. Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

3. Rose Red by Stephen King

4. A Soldier's Promise by Daniel Hendrix

5. Beach House by James Patterson

6. Honeymoon by James Patterson

7. You've Been Warned by James Patterson

My Favorites from my 2008 Reviews: (Click on titles for my reviews)


1. Testimony by Anita Shreve

2. Cold Rock River by J.L. Miles

3. Off the Menu by Christine Son

4. The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary Pearson

5. The House on Tradd Street by Karen White

6. Black Flies by Shannon Burke

7. Hip Hop Speaks to Children edited by Nikki Giovanni

8. The Host by Stephenie Meyer

9. Mrs. Lieutenant: A Sharon Gold Novel by Phyllis Zimbler Miller

10. The Lost Diary of Don Juan by Douglas Abrams

***Reminder***

Don't forget my contest for the writing guide Grit for the Oyster. You have two chances to enter: the review and the guest post

Deadline is December 1, Midnight EST.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice LIST :) I might actually take a note, and gift someone one of the books :)

Nice post Serena!

It is been crazy for you and your blog :) but I like the craziness! LOL! Talk about being selfish LOL!

Carolyn Crane said...

I don't write poetry, but that home poetry repair kit has quite the catchy look and title. Are you going to keep doing the tours? I thought about it, but wow, it looked like a ton of work. Even though it also seems fun in a way.

Jeannie said...

The Vampire Lestat is my favorite of the Vampire Chronicles. That is just such a fantastic book. I hope that everyone who has only read/watched Interview will give Lestat a try. He's such a intricate personality.

Anonymous said...

I've heard a lot of good things about The Vampire, Lestat, but I haven't been able to get through Interview with the Vampire that I haven't tried any of Rice's other novels. I have the Mayfair Witches series, maybe I'll pick that up.

Did you get a chance to see the Broadway play of Lestat? I almost had a chance to see it, but plans fell through at the last minute. :(

Thanks for the link!

Serena said...

Veens: Thanks for the compliment. I've been really busy. I actually took a week off work this week for the holiday and to read some books without any pressure of a tour.

Carolyn: I think I will cut back on tours, not drop them completely. Just not do as many.

Jeannie: Lestat was my favorite as well. Why they skipped it and made queen of the damned is beyond me. I also liked the body thief alot.

Jackie: I had a hard time with interview, but I think that's because I had already seen the movie at that point. I have not seen the play lestat...had no idea there was such a thing.

Unknown said...

Serena --

Thank you so much for putting MRS. LIEUTENANT on your list -- I really appreciate it.

And I'm uploading the entire book chapter-by-chapter on the new site authonomy.com. I've got 3/4 of the chapters up and hope to get the rest up today.

The chapters can be found at http://www.authonomy.com/ReadBook.aspx?bookid=3737#chapter

Happy Thanksgiving,
Phyllis

Serena said...

Phyllis: Have a great holiday. Its a testament to how much I really enjoyed your novel. I think its a great gift for people this holiday season, particularly for people who have an interest in the Vietnam era and how it impacted wives.

Anonymous said...

:) That must be refreshing for you :)

Shana said...

Love this, Serena. I really want to read some of these on your list - e.g. Dirty Job and especially Black Flies after reading your review, and Anna's.

Shana
Literarily

Anonymous said...

Oh Lestat! *swoon* My logic in recommending the first, is if they like the series, there is more good stuff to come! But yes... *ah... Lestat!*

Serena said...

Monica: I liked the first book well enough, but I really LOVED Lestat!