Thursday, December 23, 2010

Last Minute Gifts--Books!

Books make wonderful last minute gifts--they make wonderful gifts period, but in a pinch, you can go to your local bookstore and pretty much cover everyone on your list in one fell swoop.
Kansha: Celebrating Japan's Vegan and Vegetarian Traditions  
KANSHA: Celebrating Japan's Vegan and Vegetarian Traditions, by Andoh is a beautiful coffee table cookbook if you know what I mean.  The photographs are gorgeous and tantalizing. It wasn't as easy as I thought finding vegan food in Japan, not in restaurants anyway.  I wish I'd had this before and after my trip to stretch out the experience (food is so key) and give me more insight to the culture.  There are not a ton of authentic Japanese vegan cookbooks out there, especially not with color photos.  This would be a lovely gift for anyone who likes to cook, but particularly for the vegetarians/vegans in your life.
Doodles: A Really Giant Coloring and Doodling Book
For kids of any age, DOODLES: A Really Giant Coloring and Doodling Book by Taro Gomi is a big thick book filled with inspiration for coloring outside the lines.  "Here is a tree--make leaves," is the kind of thing you find within.  Fabulous! 

Charlie and Lola: I Really, Really Need Actual Ice SkatesCharlie and Lola are absolutely and completely wonderful and they have a new book perfect for winter.  I REALLY REALLY NEED ACTUAL ICE SKATES finds Lola in a new predicament of wanting new skates and having to learn something that's a lot harder than she thought.  It's supposed to be for kids 4-8, but I will forever love Charlie and Lola.  

Expressive Photography: The Shutter Sisters' Guide to Shooting from the HeartFor the person who likes to take pictures or just got a new camera, EXPRESSIVE PHOTOGRAPHY: THE SHUTTER SISTERS' GUIDE TO SHOOTING FROM THE HEART is a collection of photographic techniques and ideas from a group of women who call themselves The Shutter Sisters.  Check out their cool website to get a feel for their style.  I love the life-infused tone and hearing different approaches to this accessible art form.  Why not go the extra step and turn your photography more into art than chronicles? 
Creative Is a Verb: If You're Alive, You're Creative
CREATIVE IS A VERB: IF YOU'RE ALIVE, YOU'RE CREATIVE is great for those whose creativity is bubbling under the surface and want to explore that side of themselves.   Or it's just plain fun for people who live and think creatively to begin with.  The book is filled with cool illustrations, inspiration, and ideas and has an ephemera vibe.

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