THE BOOK MARK | The perfect book for everyone on your list

There’s nothing better than receiving the perfect book as a gift. Your local bookstore is one of the few places you can visit to find something for literally everyone on your holiday shopping list, even the ones who aren’t avid readers.

You can delight a foodie with a new cookbook, rekindle a neighbor’s love of our region with a local travel book, surprise a teacher with a beautiful, new calendar and, of course, inspire someone with a great work of fiction.

Booksellers are like free personal shoppers when it comes to finding the perfect gift for a loved one; take advantage of them!

Here are a few titles to get you started. 

Music history

“The Universal Tone,” by Carlos Santana

One of the most amazing rock biographies to come out in a long time, this is the gritty, soulful, shockingly honest story of guitar icon Carlos Santana. His belief in a “universal tone” that interconnects music and the soul, along with his unwavering artistic integrity, has garnered him admirers from all over the world, including Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix and a legion of fans that have followed him for six decades.

“Lit Up Inside: Selected Lyrics,” by Van Morrison

When a brilliant, reclusive musical icon peeks his head out to make a statement about his life’s work, you can only sit up, listen and be grateful. Van Morrison has handpicked and published a collection of what he deems his best and most significant lyrics to date and maybe a glimpse at what he sees as his musical legacy. This is a wonderful re-experiencing of his music for any fan.

“Clothes Music Boys,” by Viv Albertine

This female pioneer of punk rock and guitarist of the all-girl punk band The Slits has written a memoir about her crazy journey through the ‘70s punk scene. Sid Vicious, The Clash and Mick Jones are just a few of the punk icons interwoven in her story. In a movement built on extremes and rebellion, her unflinching honesty and conversational tone go a long way to helping the reader understand why this violent fight for freedom of expression changed music forever.

“Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story,” by Rick Bragg

This is the story of Jerry Lee Lewis — warts and all. It’s beautifully detailed with the history of rock and country music but never tries to sugarcoat the wild, rebellious performer. It starts with his instant connection to the piano as a youth, moves through his huge success with “Great Balls of Fire” and digs into the controversies: drinking, drugs, abusive behavior and criminal run-ins. Drawn from hours of interviews with the rock legend, this is the perfect gift for fans of early rock history. 

Literary fiction

“All the Light We Cannot See,” by Anthony Doerr

This brilliant work of literary fiction appears on almost every top-10 list for 2014. This exquisitely written novel follows a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. Doerr deftly illuminates the ways — against all odds — people try to be good to one another.

“The Goldfinch,” by Donna Tartt

This Pulitzer-prize winning novel has been called Dickensian, atmospheric and, at 771 pages, a page-turner. It’s the story of a boy who tragically loses his mother and the painting that symbolizes his loss and grief. Crisp, refined prose against a backdrop of art history, it’s a story of loss, obsession, survival and self-invention. Give this book to someone who loves to get lost in and consumed by a story for days and days.

“Nora Webster, by Colm Toibin

Colm Toibin’s masterful prose and diction elegantly cut to your core with fierce simplicity in “Nora Webster.” While dealing with the death of her husband, Nora undergoes a gradual, subtle reawakening into a better self. The deceptively quiet drama of this novel leads the reader to ask why such great changes come as such great cost.

Family-relationship fiction

“We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves,” by Karen Joy Fowler

This is the story of Rosemary Cooke, chatty child-cum-silent, young woman after something awful happens. It’s about a complex, dysfunctional family that includes Fern, a monkey that Rosemary considers a sister, but ultimately, it’s about what it means to be a human (or an animal?). Dry humor, elegant writing; sometimes sad but fully entertaining.

“Lucky Us,” by Amy Bloom

A gorgeously written family saga saturated with a harsh reality constantly wrung out by hope. The Acton family was as unconventional as Amy Bloom’s organizational choices for the novel. So thought-provoking, you’ll want to discuss it with someone else.

“I Love You More,” by Jennifer Murphy

This highly praised novel by wildly talented Seattle writer Jennifer Murphy is about one man, three wives and the perfect murder. It’s told from different points of view and has enough twists and turns to keep the plot fresh. One of the best parts of this book is Picasso, the daughter of the recently deceased Oliver, as the endearing, smart-as-a-whip junior detective. This one will keep you up past your bedtime.

“We Are Not Ourselves,” by Matthew Thomas

A major publishing event of 2014, this grand, multigenerational portrait of an Irish-American family told through Emily Tumulty is fantastic. Raised by immigrant parents in Queens, Emily dreams of better things, bigger houses and domestic bliss, giving birth and giving way to a darkness that threatens it all. With probing genius, emotional truthfulness and generous heart, this is a work of art. 

Nonfiction

“What If?: Serious Scientific Answers to Absurd Hypothetical Questions,” by Randall Munroe

From NASA to blogger/webcomic to popular author, Randall Munroe has given us a spectacularly engaging, enlightening and hilarious book that answers “absurd hypothetical questions” with very real science and a light-hearted tone. Don’t you want to know how much power we could produce if we hooked turbines to people exercising in gyms?

“The Innovators,” by Walter Isaacson

Attention, computer geeks! This is a broad overview of the history of computing and the Internet. It focuses on the collaboration and interplay among innovators more than actual technology, while asserting that no single person or entity is responsible for the revolution but that it rather came about with each innovation building on a previous one. A great gift for the technically minded.

“George Washington’s Secret Six,” by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger

This well-researched account reads like a spy novel and has been hooking readers since it was published. During the American Revolution, George Washington enlisted a group of everyday townspeople as spies to help defeat the might of the British Army. The account of how these brave, ingenious heroes helped win the war is a truly fascinating piece of American history that everyone will enjoy.

“Wine Trails of Washington,” by Steve Roberts

Local author Steve Roberts guides you through the best wine tours our state has to offer. From Queen Anne to Woodinville to Walla Walla, this book features 32 unique WineTrails, most of which can be experienced in a day or two. Profiles of each winery include a winery description, contact information and tasting room hours. You’ll also find tips on tasting-room etiquette and lessons from Wine Tasting 101. Inspire someone to rediscover our state wine trade! 

Cooking

“Sheet Pan Suppers,” by Molly Gilbert

This is quite possibly the most practical cookbook to come along this year. The idea is one sheet pan, great roasted flavor, easy recipes and even easier cleanup. It’s a modern take on a one-pot meal that works beautifully for busy families, and the entrees are so practical and tasty you can cook from it every night. This one will get lots and lots of use.

“The Skinny Taste Cookbook,” by Gina Homolka

There’s a reason this cookbook has been on the best-seller list for so long: It’s really, really good. Whether you’re on a strict diet or just want to eat healthfully, these recipes are high in flavor and low in fat and calories. There are old favorites (granola, fettucini alfredo), as well as innovative recipes that satisfy. Bonus content includes advice on how to give your kitchen and pantry a “skinny” makeover.

“Brassicas, by Laura B. Russell

Anyone who is looking for new ways to prepare oh-so-healthy, cruciferous vegetables (genus “Brassicas”) will be grateful for this fantastic variety of tasty recipes. From sweet potato and kale tacos to cauliflower hummus to a bok choy and ginger Waldorf salad, there is no shortage of new ways to prepare kale, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and more.

“Cooks Illustrated: The Science of Good Cooking,” by Editors of America’s Test Kitchen

This is the book that can make anyone a better cook. The focus is 50 simple concepts — each explained in just a few pages — that will improve your basic cooking techniques and explain the science behind it all. It’s a master class in cooking, and the volume includes 400 recipes. This is a fantastic gift for just about anyone.

JOANN MORENO is a community bookseller. To comment on this column, write to mptimes@nwlink.com.