But first — the best Christmas mash-up evah!
So, happy holiday-crazy season. Hope things are not too stressful for you these days.
Personally, I had a good day getting some Christmassy stuff done, so I thought I’d rest my feet a bit and give you, dear readers, a few suggestions for gifts this year. Most of these books came out in 2011, and all are favourites. And yeah — they were all written by friends of mine. Lucky for you I hang around with such a talented crew!
These are in no particular order, beyond the fact I kinda started near the beginning of the readerish spectrum and moved onward from there.
Have other ideas you’d like to add? Send a comment!
For wee kids [and romantics]…
THE MELANCHOLIC MERMAID — Written by Kallie George, this is a beautifully-crafted book by Simply Read that is lovely to read aloud. It has a cool trailer, too!
For young readers just stepping beyond picture books…
Jacquie Pearce’s new chapter book published by Orca Books, MYSTERY OF THE MISSING LUCK is a great little adventure for kids just beginning to read chapter books — ages 7-9.
For young readers 8 and up…
The adventures of Kendra Kandlestar continue as she plunges headlong into her fourth adventure KENDRA KANDLESTAR AND THE CRACK IN KAZAH, when the flaw in a beautiful stone leads to adventure. Lee Edward Fodi continues his streak of producing wonderful, winning novels for imaginative readers of all ages.
For teen boys, girls [and all humans with a sense of humour]…
Don Calame’s sequel to the amazing SWIM THE FLY zings out with his usual hysterically funny flair. BEAT THE BAND is Coop’s story, but Matt and Sean are back, and teenage boy lust and insanity are in the air along with the [sometimes painful] melodies of battling rock bands. From Candlewick Press.
For adult lovers of rock music tinged with the supernatural…
THE FIVE, the latest contemporary novel by the prolific Robert McCammon. This story is a mesmerizing page-turner with characters who compel themselves right off the pages and into your imagination. Published by Subterranean Press.
For adult readers of all things Jamie and Claire…
Diana Gabaldon’s newest book THE SCOTTISH PRISONER just debuted at number one on the G&M booklist in Canada, and is a NYT Bestseller already. This is the story of Jamie’s relationship with the notorious [and loveable] Lord John Grey as the two men travel a dark road to Ireland in search of a mystery that can only be solved — together.
For adult readers who like a little swash to their buckle…
CC Humphreys has written the sequel to his bloody VLAD: THE LAST CONFESSION set in war-torn Constantinople, otherwise known as A PLACE CALLED ARMAGEDDON.
For legal mystery lovers…
Robert Dugoni has brought his intrepid attorney David Slone back in MURDER ONE, published by Touchstone, for another tale of twisting intrigue.
And as a little non-fiction entry, for those interested in Social Media in all its permutations…
Darren Barefoot’s book, written with his business [and life] partner Julie Szabo, was somewhat presciently titled FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS: A Social Media Marketing Handbook, since it came out before the movie of the same name. But, as someone who has heard Darren speak to the subject on many occasions, I think it’s a great little addition to anyone’s bookshelf who is interested in the benefits and pitfalls of marketing online.
And…that’s it for now.Did I miss a favourite title of yours you’d like to add? Send me a note in the comments!
Of course, if none of the above fit the bill…you can always go into your favourite bookstore and ask for a kc dyer book. She’d really appreciate it! [And every book you buy means she can live to write of herself in third person another day — so to those of you who support this particular artist by buying her books — thank you!]
More soon…
~kc