Gifts for book lovers and avid readers
By Carla Snuggs
A perfectly selected book is undeniably one of my absolute favorite types of gifts to both give and receive during the holiday season. It holds a special significance as it symbolizes not only care, but also considerable thoughtfulness. Reflecting upon this delightful tradition, I am excited to share with you a selection of captivating books that have been bringing me immense joy lately. Join me in discovering these unique literary treasures - an exceptional guide for holiday gifts that will surely delight any book lover in your life.
Friday Night Cocktails: 52 Drinks to Welcome Your Weekend is by A.J. Dean
Friday Night Cocktails: 52 Drinks to Welcome Your Weekend is a cocktail book by A.J. Dean that invites readers to celebrate the start of the weekend with a well-made, non-fussy homemade mixed drink. The book features 52 cocktails (plus numerous variations) that are made with common ingredients that readers can easily stock up on and keep at hand. The cocktails in Friday Night Cocktails range from old stand-bys (e.g., Gin & Tonic) to new takes on the standards (e.g., Blood Orange Margarita). The book's message is “Try something new, but be mindful of the tried-and-true.” In addition to recipes, the book also includes tips on how to stock your bar, essential bar tools, and techniques for making perfect cocktails. With its elegant photographs and easy-to-follow instructions, Friday Night Cocktails is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn how to make delicious cocktails at home. Collective Book Studio / November 2023 Hardcover / $19.95 US / $26.95 Canada ISBN: 978-1-68555-480-6
Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion
Fly: The Big Book of Basketball Fashion (September 5, 2023; $40.00) by Mitchell S. Jackson: In this highly visual, gorgeous coffee table book, Pulitzer Prize winning writer Mitchell S. Jackson explores the intersection of high fashion and basketball. Fly is a book for people who love basketball and the NBA, for people who love fashion, and for those who care about what shapes America.
The Herbal Tea Magic for the Modern Witch Oracle Deck: A 40-Card Deck and Guidebook for Creating Tea Readings, Herbal Spells, and Magical Rituals
The Herbal Tea Magic for the Modern Witch Oracle Deck: A 40-Card Deck and Guidebook for Creating Tea Readings, Herbal Spells, and Magical Rituals (Tarot/Oracle Decks) Cards by Elsie Wild; Ulysses Press; April 2023: Unleash the magic within your cup with The Herbal Tea Magic for the Modern Witch Oracle Deck. This 40-card deck and guidebook unlocks the secrets of herbal wisdom, allowing you to:
Brew potent tea readings: Discover the hidden messages within your cup, using each herb's unique energy to gain insight into your past, present, and future.
Craft powerful spells: Harness the magic of nature with herbal blends and incantations, designed to bring healing, love, prosperity, and more into your life.
Awaken your inner witch: Explore the rich history of herbalism and its connection to witchcraft, learning ancient practices and rituals for personal growth and spiritual connection.
Whether you're a seasoned witch or just starting your journey, this deck offers an accessible and empowering way to practice green magic. With its vibrant artwork and comprehensive guidebook, The Herbal Tea Magic for the Modern Witch will inspire you to brew your own unique blend of magic and manifest your deepest desires.
Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less
Smart Brevity: The Power of Saying More with Less (September 20, 2023; $27) by Jim VandeHei, Mike Allen, Roy Schwartz: The essential guide for communicating effectively and efficiently in the digital age from the founders of Axios. A Wall Street Journal and USA Today national bestseller, it received praise from everyone from Arianna Huntington to Jamie Dimon. https://amzn.to/3RsYjvT
What You Do To Me by Rochelle B. Weinstein
From the bestselling author of This Is Not How It Ends comes a moving novel of two unfinished love stories and the music and lyrics that bring them together.
Journalist Cecilia James is a sucker for a love song. So when she stumbles across a clue to the identity of the muse for one of rock’s greatest, she devotes herself to uncovering the truth, even as her own relationship is falling apart.
While writing an article for Rolling Stone, Cecilia works to reveal the mystery that has intrigued fans and discovers a classic tale of two soulmates separated by fate and circumstance. Rock star Eddie Vee once sang with his soul, dedicating love songs to Sara Friedman, his inspiration and first love. Now, Eddie takes refuge in anonymity, closed off to the past. Sara, too, has distanced herself from their love, moving thousands of miles away to live the life she once railed against. As Eddie and Sara tentatively open up to Cecilia about broken dreams, she struggles to give them a happy ending. In the process, she learns that broken hearts can be healed―even her own.
What You Do To Me is the story of a love song and of the triumph of the heart over the greatest of odds. Even for those who have written off love forever.
Barbacoa, Bomba, and Betrayal by Raquel V. Reyes
A surprise trip to Miriam's parents in Punta Cana, which should be filled with arroz con pollo and breezy days under the tamarind tree, quickly becomes a hunt for a possible property saboteur. But before Miriam can begin to uncover the person damaging the vacation rentals her parents manage, she’s called away to Puerto Rico to film a Three Kings Day special. She's welcomed to the blue ballast-stone streets of Old San Juan by crime scene tape, and things only get worse from there.
An anonymous personal gift on Miriam's doorstep on New Year's Eve screams stalker, and the 400-year-old guesthouse creaks and moans like there is something trapped in its walls. Luckily, her BFF, Alma, and their mutual friend Jorge are in town to keep her distracted between filming cultural segments for the network. But private chef tables and spa days come to an abrupt halt when Jorge's telenovela heartthrob novio goes missing. And there is something worrisome about Alma's too-perfect boyfriend--specifically, his duffle bag full of cash.
Will demon masks, African drumbeats, and dark alleys lead to Miriam's demise? Or will the mysterious events come together like the delicious layers of a pastelón? Shop: https://amzn.to/41ko7xM
Coffee Magic for the Modern Witch
Coffee Magic for the Modern Witch: A Practical Guide to Coffee Rituals, Divination Readings, Magical Brews, Latte Sigil Writing, and More by Elsie Wild | Ulysses Press; Oct. 2023.: Unleash the hidden power within your daily brew with Coffee Magic for the Modern Witch. This captivating book dives deep into the enchanting world of coffee, revealing its potent magic and offering practical ways to incorporate it into your witchcraft practice.
Discover the secrets of:
Coffee's magical properties: Explore the unique energetic qualities of different coffee beans, roasts, and brewing methods, and learn how to harness them for specific intentions.
Spellcraft & rituals: Craft powerful spells and rituals fueled by the energy of coffee, from attracting abundance and igniting creativity to boosting energy and enhancing your intuition.
Latte sigil magic: Learn the art of latte sigil writing, a powerful and creative way to infuse your coffee with your desired intentions and manifest your dreams.
Coffee divination: Unlock the secrets of tasseography, the ancient art of reading coffee grounds, and gain insights into your past, present, and future.
The Barbecue Bible: Your Gateway to Grilling Mastery
Embark on a culinary adventure with Steven Raichlen's The Barbecue Bible, a comprehensive guide to unlocking the secrets of live-fire cooking. This award-winning cookbook features over 500 tantalizing recipes from around the globe, transforming your backyard grill into a global kitchen. Whether you're craving succulent chicken from Senegal or fire-roasted banana splits, The Barbecue Bible has something to tantalize every taste bud. Explore a diverse range of grilling techniques, from mastering the perfect T-bone steak to perfecting smoky, mouthwatering barbecue dishes. Steven Raichlen, the undisputed master of barbecue, shares his expertise and insider tips, guiding you through every step of the grilling process. Learn how to select the right cuts of meat, marinate like a pro, and achieve perfectly cooked results every time.
Product Details:
Title: The Barbecue Bible: More than 500 Grilling Recipes from Around the World
Author: Steven Raichlen
Price: $29.99
Format: Paperback, Hardcover, eBook
Page Count: 556
Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese
Madame Fromage's Adventures in Cheese: How to Explore It, Pair It, and Love It, from the Creamiest Bries to the Funkiest Blues (September 12, 2023; $30) by Tenaya Darlington: A charming, witty, and compulsively readable, illustrated primer on all things cheese, from how and where it's made to how to truly taste it, to for creating next-level cheese boards.
THE RETROGRADE GUIDEBOOK
The Retrograde Guidebook by Jennifer Billock Ulysses Press; Dec. 2023: Go beyond the stereotypes of mercury retrograde and dig deep into the planetary cycles, discovering how they can affect your everyday life from day to day and year to year.
