Walrus Recommends:  Holiday Gift Guide

by Tif Sweeney

It is that time of year where you are in need of gift ideas for all the many upcoming holiday celebrations.  Since Walrus Publishing is here to connect Saint Louis writers and readers, then what better way to share the local love with our own personal recommendations to add to your list?  We have a little something for everyone!

Susan McBride

For those who are interested in women’s literature, don’t forget the ladies represented in A Night With Women’s Fiction, including local favorite Susan McBride.  From her recent release, Little Black Dress, to the popular title The Cougar Club or even the Debutante Drop-Out series, she has got a little something for everyone.  Science fiction and fantasy fans may want to investigate the works of Sharon Shinn, such as Troubled Waters or Quatrain.  For those more grounded in reality, there is also All the Numbers by Judy Merrill Larsen.

For those readers in your life that prefer the dark or mysterious, Serial by John Lutz or The Black Garden by John McFarland may be a great way to stuff those stockings.  Of course, there is always Laurell K. Hamilton for those who prefer their darkness with a paranormal spin.

Paul Cook

For the younger crowd, the radio personality for Y98 and author, Paul Cook has a book with a great message:  Floyd & The Future Frog.  And for those even younger, why not try the delicious boardbook You Are My Little Cupcake by Amy Sklansky or the series featuring Petalwink by Angela Sage Larsen.

History fans may prefer Founding St. Louis:  First City of the New West by Dr. J. Frederick Fausz, a man that knows the subject as he teaches history at the University of Missouri – Saint Louis.

Foodies would love Stone Soup Cottage Cookbook.  And for foodies with a heart for fiction, Elaine Viets may steal your heart with her latest, Death on a Platter.

Romance fans should check out Butterfly Swords and sequel, The Dragon and the Pearl by Jeannie Lin, winner of the 2009 Golden Heart Award.

Myron Holtzman

For the sports fan in your life, what is a better gift than The Cardinals of Cooperstown by Myron Holtzman, especially with another World Series under our belts?  Go Cards!

What do you gift to those in your life who prefer verse?  Flood Stage, a unique anthology filled with tons of poetry love may just be your answer.

How about a gift with a great cause and a mix of work?  Storm Country:  The Anthology features a mix of poetry and short stories and benefits Joplin school libraries that were destroyed this past summer by the tornado.

And, if you don’t know how to narrow down all these choices for those special people in your life, then what better gift can you give than a gift certificate to one of our local independent bookstores.  If you click on over to the Saint Louis Independent Bookstore Alliance, you are sure to find an indie close to you.  These bookstore extraordinaires may even be able to share more local loves to fit your needs.

Did I miss any other local favorites that should be added to our Holiday Gift Guide list?  If so, please share.