By Michall Jeffers

There’s just no bad time to give books as gifts. Just be mindful of a few simple rules: always get gift receipts, because the stores are getting snarky about returns; it’s better to give to a child a book that’s too advanced, rather than one that may seem too babyish; use common sense, and don’t buy a book on losing weight, basic cooking technique, or tips on how to dress unless you are really, really confident that this is what your giftee wants.

Having written this, I’ve sifted through the thousands of books that are out there, and I’m recommending a selection of those that caught my interest, with a thought on why I think them worthy of your hard earned cash. Keep in mind that some of these may fall into more than one category.

If you give books that are specific to the Holidays, attach a note that says “open now.” It’s much more fun to read a Christmas book before the actual day. Starting with famous authors first:

Deck The Halls/The Christmas Thief
Mary Higgins Clark and daughter Carol Higgins Clark have here two reprinted stories in one volume. For those who are being introduced to the characters Alvirah Meehan and Regan Reilly for the first time, fun and relaxing.

The Christmas List
Richard Paul Evans ponders a modern version of an old classic question. How would we change if we saw, firsthand, how the world actually views us? Excellent for older or more conservative readers.

Home For Christmas
Andrew M. Greeley spins a tale of choices, true love, and redemption. Again, excellent for older or more conservative readers.

A Quilter’s Holiday
Jennifer Chiaverini continues her popular series of books about quilters with this new Elm Creek novel. Heartwarming, not necessary to have read earlier books in the series.

Mrs. Scrooge
Carol Ann Duffy, U.K. Poet Laureate, weaves a poem of ghostly visitations in this small, beautifully illustrated book. Good stocking stuffer.

The Body In The Sleigh
Katherine Hall Page presents another Faith Fairchild Mystery, this one geared to the holidays. Good to curl up with on a cold day.

Merry, Merry Ghost
Carolyn Hart’s take on mystery, light and witty. Great for an elderly reader.

Since for most of us, the Holidays mean lots of great food, a cookbook is always a welcome gift:

Nigella Christmas
Nigella Lawson, a pretty tasty morsel herself, dishes about food, family, friends, and festivities. She makes it look almost easy.

Jamie’s Food Revolution
Jamie Oliver, the English Boy Wonder, passes on what he’s learned to those of us who have culinary issues. Good job breaking down the steps.

Anthony Bourdain’s Les Halles Cookbook
Anthony Bourdain is known for his wry wit, and here he presents with style some food for serious gourmets. Not for the beginner.

Cooking for Friends
Gordon Ramsay steps away from his usual frantic pace to give us homey recipes for ham, chicken, and other family favorites. Make them promise to invite you over to try these comfort foods.

Moosewood Restaurant Cooking for Health
The Moosewood Collective presents over 200 new vegetarian and vegan delights. Food even a meat eater can enjoy.

Ace of Cakes
Duff Goldman & Willie Goldman take us inside the world of Charm City Cakes, just like on the Food Network. Worth a trip to Baltimore.

Lidia Cooks From The Heart Of Italy
Lidia Matticchio Bastianich proves once again that while all ethnic food is good, Italian food is irresistible. Regional delights for those of us who are Italian, or just wish we were.

The Conscious Cook
Tal Ronnen adapts French technique to make vegan versions of gourmet favorites. All good, but the desserts are killer great.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks
Ree Drummond tells her tale of leaving L.A. for Oklahoma, and what she learned about down home cooking. Recipes are good, and so is the story.

The Dumpling A Seasonal Guide
Wai Hon Chu & Connie Lovatt show us more ways to make and eat dumplings than we would have thought possible. I bought this for my Chinese friend, who doesn’t like ersatz anything.

My Bread
Jim Lahey promises us a revolutionary no-work, no-knead method to create the irresistible staff of life. If you don’t like freshly baked hot bread, take your pulse.

The Dumpling A Seasonal Guide
Valerie Peterson & Janice Fryer have put together this sweet little book with ideas for using cookies as decoration…if they last that long. Great stocking stuffer.

There are some wonderful soft cover cookbooks, too:

Make It Slow, Cook It Fast
Stephanie O’Dea has tapped into a major trend, providing healthy, inexpensive, and delicious recipes for slow cooking. Perfect for everyone with a busy schedule and a healthy appetite.

250 Treasured Country Desserts
Andrea Chesman & Fran Raboff offer everything from applesauce to zucchini-pecan cake in this compendium of dessert recipes. The little footnotes, on honey gathering for example, are a fun read.

The Baking Answer Book
Lauren Chattman assures us she has solutions to every question we’d ever ask, and solutions to every problem you’ll ever face. Consider this for the first time owner of a real kitchen, or for the extremely neurotic baker.

Eat, Memory
Amanda Hesser has garnered writing about food from the likes of Ann Patchett, Billy Collins, and Jon Robin Baitz. Nice to know that we’re not the only ones obsessed with food.

Top Secret Recipes Unlocked
Todd Wilbur provides us with the top secret recipes of stuff we shouldn’t be eating anyway. Admit it, you’ve always wanted to know how to make Chik-fil-A Carrot and Raisin Salad in the comfort of your own home.

This is just the beginning. In a followup story, I’ll feature kid’s books, hobby books, and best sellers.

Michall Jeffers is an accomplished cultural journalist. Her eponymous cable TV show is syndicated throughout the tri-state area, and features celebrity interviews, reviews, and commentary. She writes extensively, both in print and online. She is an active member of Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, American Theatre Critics Association, International Association of Theatre Critics, Dance Critics Association, and National Book Critics Circle.