Holiday gift books: Weddings, dogs, 'Downton'
It's back to the future for publishers during the holidays -- as lavish print volumes star in stores, ready for wrapping for the book lover (or pop-culture fan). Paste BN's Jocelyn McClurg looks at the season's dazzling offerings.
1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: The Illustrated Edition
By J.K. Rowling; illustrated by Jim Kay
Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic, $39.99
What it’s about: The first book in the mega-selling series about the boy wizard arrives in a handsome new edition with more than 100 illustrations.
What’s to love: Jim Kay’s artwork is, quite simply, magical. A lovely introductory edition for young readers – but the grownup Harry Potter fan will be bewitched all over again.
2. Downton Abbey: A Celebration
By Jessica Fellowes
St. Martin’s Press, $29.99
What it’s about: The “Official Companion” to every season of the addictive Masterpiece series about the upstairs Crawleys and their downstairs help. (Caution: contains Season 6 spoilers.)
What’s to love: Devotees dreading saying goodbye – the final season begins on PBS on Jan. 3 – can linger over this deep bow to Lady Mary, Lord Grantham, the Dowager Violet, Bates, Anna, Daisy….sob!
3. Home
By Ellen DeGeneres
Grand Central Life & Style, $35
What it’s about: The talk show host – a dedicated house flipper with a passion for interior design – invites us inside seven of her California homes, past and present.
What’s to love: Opening the door onto the celebrity life style, Home offers an intimate peek into Ellen’s distinctive modern/country chic aesthetic (be prepared for house envy).
4. Super Bowl Gold: 50 Years of the Big Game
By the Editors of Sports Illustrated
Time Inc. Books, $40
What it’s about: Relives every Super Bowl – from the nail biters to the blowouts – starting with Game I in January, 1967 (Green Bay Packers v. Kansas City Chiefs in Los Angeles).
What’s to love: Football fans will be dancing in the end zone if they find this drama-filled ode to the NFL under the tree.
5. Martha Stewart Weddings: Ideas and Inspiration
By the Editors of Martha Stewart Weddings
Clarkson Potter, $60
What it’s about: An impeccably designed and photographed – hey, it’s Martha Stewart – guide to planning a magazine-ready wedding day.
What’s to love: This beautiful bouquet of a book will dazzle any bride-to-be -- but even old marrieds (or anyone who believes in romance) will be smitten with its sumptuous celebration of saying “I do.”
6. Back to the Future: The Ultimate Visual History
By Michael Klastorin with Randal Atamaniuk
HarperDesign, $50
What it’s about: Travel back in time with this overstuffed companion to the hit trilogy, as the first film celebrates its 30th anniversary and Part II has its own special tie-in to 2015.
What’s to love: The recent outpouring of affection for the movies starring Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd proves that the Future is now for Marty McFly and Doc. Removable inserts like Marty’s 1985 Hill Valley High pink “tardy” slip add to the fun.
7. Humans of New York: Stories
By Brandon Stanton
St. Martin’s Press, $29.99
What it’s about: HONY is a blog and a phenomenon – and now there’s a sequel to the original best-selling book of photographs of people telling their quirky, touching stories.
What’s to love: He might prowl one city’s streets, but Stanton strikes a universal chord by honing in on the humanity (and humor) of New Yorkers of every stripe.
8. Beloved Dog
By Maira Kalman
Penguin Press, $29.95
What it’s about: A picture book from the author/illustrator (And the Pursuit of Happiness) filled with color-drenched pages that capture canine charm.
What’s to love: Dog owners may be easy to please, but the art aficionado will really be impressed with this wonderfully creative exercise in doggie devotion.
9. Lonely Planet’s Ultimate Travel
Lonely Planet, $24.99
What it’s about: The travel company ranks the top 500 destinations of a lifetime – starting with Temples of Angkor (No. 1) and ending with Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, otherwise known as the Liberty Bell (No. 500).
What’s to love: Even if you never leave home, you’ll feel you’ve seen the world with this comprehensive armchair-travel guide.
10. Picador Modern Classics
Various authors
Picador, $16 each
What it’s about: Four modern “classics” in appealing pocket-size hardcover editions: The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides; Steppenwolf by Hermann Hesse; Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson; Jesus’ Son by Denis Johnson.
What’s to love: Bought together or separately, these fiction titles are ideal stocking stuffers for the literature lover.