Need a gift idea for someone special? How about a book? Here are a few new or special edition titles for those on Santa's "nice" list.
For the music or Beatles fan: "With the Beatles" from Life Books (Life Books, $39.95.) This giant coffee table book contains photos of the Fab Four from their official photographer Robert Whitaker. These photos capture their tour from 1964 to 1966, recapping the height of Beatlemania. There's photos from their Ed Sullivan Show appearance in 1965, screaming and crying fans, the band relaxing or jamming backstage, and even remembrances from Whitaker about the time together.
For the Trekkie: "Federation: The First 150 Years" by David A. Goodman (becker & mayer!, $99.) This expansive history of the Star Trek Universe goes where no book has gone before, detailing letters, treaty excerpts, intelligence reports, First Contact reports and more with nearly 50 original full-color and black-and-white illustrations. There's also historic battles, ship designs and blueprints for the U.S.S. Enterprise. Also included is a handwritten letter from Jim Kirk, documentation about the Trill and Zefram Cochrane's sketch of warp drives. The book is housed in a display pedestal with electronic lights and audio narration from George Takei.
For the romance lover: New York Times bestselling authors Linda Howard and Linda Jones team up for "Running Wild" (Ballentine, $7.99.) Carlin Reed picks Battle Ridge, Wyo., to start a new life for herself because it is in the middle of nowhere. Her job as cook and housekeeper for rancher Zeke Decker pays the bills, but it might endanger her heart, as the chemistry between the two is smoking hot. Zeke knows the way Carlin is acting, she is a woman on the run from something, but what? As the two grow closer, will she be able to trust him? Or will her past endanger both their lives? This team-up brings two great writers together with plenty of hot romance, cowboys and mystery!
For your mom or daughter: "Meet Me at Emotional Baggage Claim" by New York Times bestselling author Lisa Scottoline and Francesca Serritella (St. Martin's Press, $25.99.)
This mom and adult daughter team writes hilarious essays about motherhood, parenting, grandmas, dogs, dating - whether in your 20s or in your 50s, the importance of always taking your coat and much more. This book will warm your heart and make you laugh and cry. These are two ladies you can relate to, no matter what age and may inspire some mother/daughter bonding of your own.
For the new baby/new parents: "Goodnight Moon" by Margaret Wise Brown with illustrations by Clement Hurd (HarperCollins, $14.99). This reissue of the classic picture book is this time a cloth book. New parents can read a condensed version of the bedtime book or babies can play with the soft (and surface-washable) pages.
For your young niece: "The Wonderful World of Fancy Nancy" by #1 New York bestselling author and illustrator Jane O'Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser (HarperCollins, $11.99). This collection of four different Fancy Nancy books comes in a little pink handled box. There's "Fancy Nancy Explorer Extraordinaire," which gives young readers facts about the outdoors, "Fancy Nancy Poet Extraordinaire," which shows poems that Nancy's class comes up with for an assignment, "Fancy Nancy Aspiring Arist" where Nancy learns about art and makes a few creations herself thanks to her mom, "Fancy Nancy Ooh La La! It's Beauty Day," in which Nancy treats her mom to spa day. There's lots of love and fanciness in all of the books.
For your nephew: "The City of Ember: The Graphic Novel" by Jeanne DuPrau with art by Niklas Asker (Random House, $18.99). Two children find a mysterious document that may hold the key to saving their land from plunging into terrible darkness forever. This would be a great visual treat for new and old fans.
