EP55: Books for Everyone on Your List

Live from the Book Shop: John Updike's Ghost

This week, it's nothing but naked capitalism, as Sam and Hannah challenge each other to suggest the ideal book-gifts for all your potential giftees. Of course, Hannah's in the mobbed bookstore, so a little stressed and nervous for this challenge. The mail is even being delivered as we record. Crazy stuff. Seriously, though, we've got great ideas for:

• Your teenaged niece or nephew (Sam really did tear up during this read; but he misremembered and someone does, in fact, die).
• Your voraciously reading mom/teacher/hostess (Clarie Keegan!).
• The sports-loving dude in your life.
• The chef in your life who's already got all the basics (get loose in the kitchen with Erin French!).
• Your music-loving uncle (Sam does, in fact, know that Neil Peart was the drummer for Rush).
• Anyone who has a coffee table (Dolly! Willie!).
• Anyone looking for something trashy (who isn't?).
• Someone how loves Christmas mysteries (who doesn't?), or mysteries of any kind.
• Someone who already has "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse" (or anyone going off to college or otherwise needing life advice).
• Your grumpy grandfather, who still cares deeply about WW2.
• Your aging parents. No, really.
• The children in your life (very young, young, and middle readers — lots of ideas!).

Really, we've got ideas for everyone on your list this giving season. Listen up!