Gifts for the holidays: Books for Him (or Her)

A little while ago, I compiled a list of books that I thought might be useful for those buying Christmas gifts. When I looked over my list, I noticed that the majority of these books were geared towards women. So, I've compiled a shorter list, that while not strictly for men (because we all know women will read books traditionally for men, while men seldom read women's books), I think your uncle, father, significant other, brother, and nephew will enjoy these picks as much as you will.

"The Brothers K" by David James Duncan follows the Chance boys, four sons of a former baseball player, through adolescence and adulthood. Traveling from India to Vietnam to Alaska, the boys struggles with loneliness, love, faith in God and in their country and their own identity. Tremendous both for its humor, poignancy and style. My friend Melissa brought this book my way. Thank you! (Duncan is also the author of "The River Why" a shorter, slower moving but no less enjoyable book. There's a chapter there about rain that will leave you soaking, shivering, and exhilirated.).

"Drive Like Hell" by Dallas Hudgens is simply the funniest book I've ever read. You wouldn't give this book to anyone but a good friend. No one looking for inspiration or hoping to learn about history or how to make the world a better place would read this book. If you aren't trying to keep with the Jones's or the Pullitzers and just want to laugh til you have to cross your legs, read this. It's about Luke Fulmer a sixteen-year old boy living in a truly dysfunctional family, who is trying to be a decent guy, to do the right thing, but finding "goodness" an elusive quality which was never part of his upbringing. The dialogue is matchless for wit (and yes, it's crass). Publisher's Weekly called it "a shaggy but thoroughly enjoyable debut." This book has been tested on at least three twenty-something boys. All approved.

If you don't mind something a little on the heavy side, I recommend Dexter Filkin's "The War Within." While at times it's hard to find your place as the book covers a lot of ground from Afghanistan to Iraq, no one can bring you closer to this war than Dexter Filkins. The Washington Post said, "Filkins's singular skill in this book rests in showing how war shatters lives and how some people manage to survive amid fear, violence, intrigue and chaos.”
I agree. I think writing and experiencing this book changed Filkins, for better or worse, he will never be able to look at New York or any other American city without thinking of the freedoms we have that Iraqis don't, and perhaps neither will you.

For more books like this check out finding Dulcinea's Political Book Must Reads.

For the younger set...

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne is recommended for any age, but it is technically a young adult book. It's written in simple accessible language for readers who are just beginning chapter books. The story traces the friendship between a Holocaust prisoner and the lonely son of a Nazi general. It's a very light read in one sense, but heavy emotionally. An excellent book for beginning a serious dialogue. As Harper Lee's Atticus Finch said, long long ago, "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it. "

"Spud"by John Van de Nuit is a charming young adult novel about a boy growing up just as apartheid in South Africa is ending. While the book touches on race and culture, it's primarily a coming of age story about the struggle to survive boarding school when you're just a scrawny spud. Funny and touching. Not sure that you'll agree but I'd say it's the lighter, PG version of "School Ties." Along with pre-teens, I predict this book will be especially popular with teachers.

And for even more book advice, check out 20 Amazing and Essential Non-fiction Books to Enrich Your Library.