How To Pick a Book as a Gift (Part 4): My Recommended

So here are my personal preferences if I am buying a book for a present. I know that some of these are listed in previous posts, but I hope that instead of boring you (and I'm sorry if I am), my persistance to try a book may help you expand the reading experience for yourself or someone else.

Kids:

• Ages 3-5: Is Your Mama a Llama? by Deborah Guarino
• Ages 5-8: The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey (I have even purchased this book for a gift already this year!)
• Ages 9-12: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
• Teen: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Paranormal Romance:

• Dark Prince by Christine Feehan (this is the first book in the series called the Carpathians)
• Note: This series I recommend to any who will listen. This series is enormous and a thrill to read. I have also reread this series more times than I can count and still enjoy it as much as when I first turned its pages.

Romance:

• The Velvet Promise by Jude Devereaux 
• Note: This is a series that is also very large but highly entertaining and a classic romance series. This series starts in the Highlands with the Montgomery family and follows them and their cousins the Taggarts to America and then to the present. It is a full and delightful series. 

Mystery:

• Orchid Beach by Stuart Woods
• Note: I own each book in the series and usually have the new books as soon as they are on the shelf for sale. This author is detailed and a great read, even if you are reading the book for the 15th time!

Science-Fiction:

• Hammerfall by C.J. Cherryh
• Note: This book a colorful and entertaining sci-fi with much mystery and spunk.

Fantasy:

• Rhapsody by Elizabeth Haydon
• Note: This is one of my favorite books (the series is called the Symphony of Ages). I have worn out 3 separate copies of these books by simply reading them. I would recommend this novel and series to anyone who likes fantasy novels.

Non-Fiction:

• Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
• Note: This book is amazing and so informational. There is more culturally and emotionally to being a Geisha and this book is very enlightening and emotionally tuned.

Fiction:

• The Labryinth by Kate Mosse

Classic:

• The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

Historical Fiction:

• The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel
• Note: There was an old movie made of this, if you watched it, trust me....the book is way better, and is part of a series, so the story continues, and develops so beautifully and delightfully that you become immersed in the books.

I hope you have been able to find the perfect gift for whomever you like. I hope that if you aren't buying a gift for someone but just want a recommended read, that you try those listed above. If they don't seem like a book you would enjoy, be sure to check out the previous posts for Amazon.com's and Barnes and Nobles recommended, plus some of my own buy genre!

How To Pick a Book as a Gift (Part 3): Amazon's Recommended

So here are Amazon.com's "Recommended" in each genre, plus some of my notes on them. Enjoy!

Kids:

• Age 3-5: Leonardo, The Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
• Age 5-8: The Magic Treehouse series by Mary Pope Osbourne
• Age 9-12: Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book by Jeff Kinney
• Teen: Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen

Paranormal Romance:

• A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
• Note: I especially enjoy this author. I own most of her books (including this one) myself. She is very creative and fun and I highly recommend reading her novels if you haven't. 

Romance:

• Mr. Maybe by Jane Green

Mystery:

• Lethal by Sandra Brown

Science-Fiction:

• The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
• Note: Reading the synopsis on Amazon, this looks like a great read. I even put it on my "Xmas List."

Fantasy:

• The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers

Non-Fiction:

• Still Alice by Lisa Genova

Fiction:

• While I Was Gone by Sue Miller

Classics:

• Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
• Note: My grandmother had me read this book, and it flared my love for romances and intrigue in a book. So if somehow you have managed to miss reading this book, make sure that you find the time to read it. 

Historical Fiction:

• 30 Pieces of Silver by Carolyn McCray

My Most Recommended up Next! Thanks again for your patience between posts!

How To Pick a Book as a Gift (Part 2): Barnes and Noble's Recommended

I apologize for the delay in posting, and the once two-part, now four-part blogs. There is way too much information to try and put into one blog: you would be asleep long before the end. So, I am going to spread these out across this and the next 2 blogs, according to source. This blog will be about Barnes and Noble's Top Books in each Genre, the next (Part 3), will be Amazon.com's, and the third will be my own!

Kids:

• Ages 3-5: No Two Alike by Keith Baker
• Ages 5-8: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney
• Ages 9-12: The Lost Hero series by Rick Riordan
• Teen: The Future of Us by Jay Ashner and Carolyn Mackler

Paranormal Romance:

• The Guardian by Sherrilyn Kenyon (this is part of a series called the Dark-Hunters/Dream-Hunters/Were-Hunters)
• Note: This author is renowned for her creativity, detail, and characters, and I myself enjoy many of her books,including this series.

Romance:

• The Next Always by Nora Roberts

Mystery:

• V is for Vengence by Sue Grafton (this is part of a series called the Kinsey Millhone Alphabet Series)
• Note: I also own quite a few books from this author, and enjoy her unique talents in writing.

Science-Fiction:

• Micro by Michael Chrichton

Fantasy:

• Inheritance by Christopher Paolini (this is part of the 'Eragon' series, called the Inheritance Cycle)
• Note: I love this series. It is one of my favorites to read on my own or with my son.

Non-Fiction:

• Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard

Fiction:

• The Litigators by John Grisham

Classics:

• Hans Christian Anderson: The Complete Fairy Tales

Historical Fiction:

• 11/22/63 by Stephen King