Gifts for the Creative Soul

I'm sure you all know about Etsy and its minions of artists, crafts people, jewelry makers, designers, knitters and the like all busily creating beautiful gifts for yourself, your friends and/or family, so I needn't explain much more about it. I'm just going to post some of the great artists who have Etsy Shops where beautiful paintings, prints and other items are to be had for not too much money. I can't think of a better gift than something uselessly beautiful and charming, whose primary reason for existence is to please.

• Catherine Nolin's Etsy Shop where you can view and buy Catherine's extraordinarily beautiful paintings. I love Catherine's use of color and patterns. She has a fantastic sense of design.

• Janet Hill's Etsy Shop where you can view Janet's cheerfully evocative paintings. Most of her work has a vague touch of 1950's sensibility. Her light-hearted use of green and red is charmingly disarming.

• Emily Martin's Etsy Shop - The Black Apple - where you can view her range of charming products, including prints, cards, posters and assorted other gift items.

• Carol Gillott's Etsy Shop - Paris Breakfast where you can view her absolutely dazzling watercolors done in the most delicious colors. Her subject matter: anything and everything having to do with good food, dogs, cats, Paris and London.

• Anne Harwell's Etsy Shop - Annechovie where you can view Anne's sunshine bright still life designs, prints and posters.

• Periwinkle Sky where you can view Becky Kelly's sweetly delightful childrens' themed watercolors. Perfect for a child's room or just for the young at heart.

• Amber Alexander's Etsy Shop where you can view her animal-themed watercolors done in quiet low-key colors, perfect for any room in the house.

• CHINAdoodle's Etsy Shop where you can view re-worked china plates done in a modern fun way with brightly colored daubs of paint. Great to hang on a wall anywhere.

• It's A Whimsical Life where you can view artist Susan Mitchell's incredible felted creations as well as her prints. Her work is charm personified, her animals the cutest things you will ever see anywhere.

• Sandra Eterovic's Etsy Shop where you can view Sandra's eclectic selection of wonderous items. LOVE the 'hand clock'!

2011 Calendar Gifts

Just a few calendars I saw that looked interesting for the new year. I'm wondering if calendars, though, aren't going to go the way of the dodo since the computer is perfectly capable of telling you what day it is and at the touch of finger, the entire month flashes on the screen. My computer, in its ever expanding quest to be helpful, has a calendar/appointment thing I could activate if I wanted to, but I'm not that handy with it. I'd still rather have a hard copy- something with pages I can write in. But I wonder how many other people still feel that way.

Christmas Shopping: More Book Ideas

More bookish Christmas ideas for the art, book, or film lover on your list. Again, I have no finger in any of these pies - shop where you will. These are mostly books I've read (except for one or two) and think would make great presents. A few are new this year, most are old favorites. Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday, so you might think of patronizing any of the small, independent bookstores in your area.

THE ART OF NOIR by Eddie Muller.

Muller is a film noir guru, author of mysteries, film books and lecturer of all things having to do with film, most especially noir. This is an older book but definitely worth hunting down. Worth looking for too, are his other film noir book, DARK CITY and two of his noir-ish mysteries featuring boxing writer Billy Nichols: THE DISTANCE and SHADOW BOXER.

ENCYCLOPEDIA OF THE EXQUSITE An Anecdotal History of Elegant Delights by Jessica Kerwin Jenkins. For the esoterically inclined, the Francophile, the Anglophile, for anyone who is inspired by the glamorous and delightful.

PIPPI LONGSTOCKING by Astrid Lindgren.

The book for the young girl on your list who hasn't, so far, met Pippi. This is the book that opened up the world of adventure to me when I was a kid thinking that girls couldn't do anything, that boys had all the fun. Pippi Longstocking quickly disabused me of that notion, thank goodness!

CHRISTMAS AT THRUSH GREEN by Miss Read.Well, you can't go wrong with a Miss Read novel about the quiet country doings in the village of Thrush Green. I love Miss Read. Haven't read all of them, just a few, but I'll keep reading until I've finished all of them.

THE ART BOOK.

This is such a brilliant concept: a quick introduction to painting. Each page shows one painting and a short explanation of the work, the school of painting and the painter. Open to any page and you're bound to find something of interest. I've had this for years and I'm still finding new things in it.

MAJOR PETTIGREW'S LAST STAND by Helen Simonson.

One of the best books I read this year. A love story for the grown-up who still believes in romance. A charming story that proves that just when you think life has passed you by, it hasn't.

THE LOST CITY OF Z by David Grann.

Another terrific read from this year. A non-fiction account of the search, in the Amazon, for the lost city of El Dorado and the fate of the father and son explorers who went missing in the early part of the 20th century. Fabulous, hair-raising story.

EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDES published by DK Publishing.

I've included these because, to my mind, they are the most splendid guides for the actual or arm chair traveler. Each book features gorgeous photography, maps, artwork, unique points of interest, architecture, museums, you name it. All in a beautifully designed and easy to read (and hold) format. I love to sit and pretend I'm traveling and these books make it seem as if I'm there. They're a little pricey at about 20 - 25 bucks each, but far as I'm concerned, it's worth it to feel as if you've gone somewhere. These books are as close as you can get to a foreign country without actually being there. I love them.

THE AFFAIR OF THE MUTILATED MINK COAT by James Anderson.

Anderson wrote two classic satires of the Agatha Christie school of mystery writing (I most associate these books with Christie's SECRET OF CHIMNEYS - if you loved CHIMNEYS, you'll love the Anderson books). His second book THE AFFAIR OF THE BLOOD-STAINED EGG COSY is more or less the same sort of tale as the title above. Both books are bustling with eccentric British wits and nitwits. The stories take place in large country houses filled with servants and suspicious doings. TONS OF FUN.

A BOOK LOVERS DIARY is a wonderful journal filled with witty quotes and plenty of space in which to jot down titles or lists or whatever book-related things your heart desires. I have one. I love it.

ONE GOOD DOG by Susan Wilson.

The extraordinarily touching and life affirming story of a man and a dog who both get a second chance at life. I didn't think I'd like this book when it was recommended to me, but I wound up loving it.

61 HOURS by Lee Child.

This is the first of a two book year for Lee Child - you can't go wrong with either of them. For the thriller lover on your list, these are the books to have. I give a slight edge to 61 HOURS, but WORTH DYING FOR is terrific as well. Either/or. Next to Robert Crais, Lee Child is the best thriller writer working today.

ALICE IN WONDERLAND by Lewis Carroll, exquisite illustrations by Helen Oxenbury. The two volumes in one gorgeous slip-case. A gift that couldn't fail to please any reader on your list, young or old.

THE GREAT MOVIES III by Roger Ebert.

This is the latest book of movie essays, after Book I and Book II, by the movie maven extraordinaire and, far as I'm concerned, head honcho of the critic establishment.

THE DICTIONARY OF IMAGINARY PLACES by Alberto Manguel, Eric Beddows and Gianni Guadalupi.

A guide book that defines the places that never were from all the books we're read or are familiar with: Middle Earth, Hogwarts, Narnia, Oz, you name it. I can't think of any imaginative reader who wouldn't enjoy this.

A DOG ABOUT TOWN by J.F. Englert.

Meet Randolph, dog raconteur and wag about town. I happen to know that Santa is bringing me this Christmas morning. How do I know? Well, that would be telling.

Read my other Christmas Shopping Ideas for the Book Lover, here and here.

Christmas Reading - Mysteries

No Monday Review today, but probably tomorrow. So it will be the Monday Review on Tuesday simply because I ran out of reading time and I wanted to make sure to post today's Christmas Reading list - it is November 15th, after all. Only about five weeks left until Christmas. But, no pressure.

Any of the following books would make an excellent gift for the mystery fan on your list. But of course, you must have a copy for yourself to read in between the shopping, gift wrapping, egg nogging and decorating with intent. A good mystery will cure what ails you and lift any spirits that happen to lag.

HERCULE POIROT'S CHRISTMAS by Agatha Christie Hercule Poirot is the ideal guest to have at a Christmas dinner when the head of the house - and controller of the purse - is brutally killed in a locked room. A nastier bit of goods you've yet to find than murder victim Simeon Lee, still, the killer must be brought to justice.

MAIGRET'S CHRISTMAS by Georges Simenon - Who hasn't heard of the famous French detective and his philosophical approach to crime? These short stories are perfect for this or any other season. I discovered Maigret late in life, so I am a new and enthusiastic convert.

SHAKESPEARE'S CHRISTMAS by Charlaine Harris - The much overlooked other series by Harris featuring cleaning woman and karate expert Lily Bard. The Shakespeare in the title refers to the name of the Arkansas town Bard chooses to settle in as she tries to recover from her nightmarish past. This is my favorite Charlaine Harris series.

THE BODY IN THE SLEIGH by Katherine Hall Page - I am a big fan of this series featuring caterer Faith Fairchild, wife of a minister and solver of mysteries. This time out she and her family are spending the Christmas holidays in Maine when Faith, never one to be long without a mystery, finds the body of a young woman in an antique sled.

THE FAT MAN - A Tale of North Pole Noir by Ken Harmon - Who knew the North Pole is not the sweet and wonderful place we've all been led to believe? Well, angry elf Gumdrop Coal, fired from his post as the head of the Coal Patrol and the only one who seems to see that Santa is in grave danger, spills the beans in this noirish, funny and very inventive yarn.

A HOLLY JOLLY MURDER by Joan Hess - Another fun tale set in Arkansas. Claire Malloy, the nosy bookstore owner is back to solve the midwinter murder of a Druid cult leader/landlord. Druids in Arkansas?

A HIGHLAND CHRISTMAS by M.C. Beaton - I've read most of the wonderful Hamish MacBeth series set in a small village in the Scottish highlands so all I have to say is: Hamish + Christmas = a cozy, comforting read. Two mysteries for Hamish to solve in his capacity as village cop - this, a cup of tea and a biscuit or two will soothe any frazzled nerves.

VISIONS OF SUGARPLUMS by Janet Evanovich - This is one of Evanovich's Between the Plums books and the one that introduced the inimitable and very mysterious Diesel into Stephanie Plum's life. Lots of fun

More Recommendations:

A COMEDY OF TERRORS by Michael Innes - I'm reading this now and enjoying the heck out of it. Innes is a new discovery for me and I've become an ardent convert. A violent incident at an English country house over the Christmas holiday - most refined.

A RUMPOLE CHRISTMAS by John Mortimer

THE STUPIDEST ANGEL by Christopher Moore

CHRISTMAS AT THE MYSTERIOUS BOOKSHOP - Edited by Otto Penzler - ...mysteries of mistletoe and mayhem by 17 masters of the genre.

SWEET REVENGE by Diane Mott Davidson

O LITTLE TOWN OF MAGGODY by Joan Hess

THE DONS AND MR. DICKENS - The Strange Case of the Oxford Christmas Plot byWilliam J. Palmer - Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins work together to solve a baffling holiday mystery.

A FATAL GRACE by Louise Penny - Crime at Christmas in the village of Three Pines and Armand Gamache is on the scene. What more can you want? This is the first in the award winning series, by the way.

Favorite Austen Films To Give As Gifts

These are my very favorite Jane Austen films. (Four are based on her books, one is a smartly done pastiche with Elliot Cowan as Mr. Darcy, giving Colin Firth a run for his money.) Any one of them would make a great Christmas gift in dvd or (if available) in blu-ray version.

Pride and Prejudice To my mind, this is the ultimate Pride and Prejudice. Jennifer Ehle is perfection as Elizabeth Bennett. And Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, well, need I say any more? The entire series is beautifully cast. Not really a film, since it was a series of several episodes, but it shows like a film.

Persuasion This is my favorite film version, so far. I loved the strangely attractive Ciarin Hinds as Captain Wentworth. I also liked Amanda Root as Anne Elliot - she has the most quietly expressive face. The rest of the cast is terrific as well. These films all have such wonderful English character actors.

Emma Gwyneth Paltrow surprised me by how good she is in this. I am not her biggest fan, but she's terrific in what is not, admittedly, an Austen story I'm crazy about.

Sense and Sensibility I am the world's biggest Emma Thompson fan, but I can't help but think, every time I watch this film, that she seems a little too old for Hugh Grant's character. (Maybe she's older than him in the book? Don't remember.) I've always felt that Hugh Grant was miscast. But obviously that hasn't stopped me watching the film and admiring Ang Lee's direction and the gorgeous camerawork. Main reason I love the film so much: Alan Rickman. He is truly wonderful as the patient, older, suitor-in-waiting.

Lost in Austen As a fantasy pastiche of Austen's Pride and Prejudice, this works very well. (It calls for LOTS of suspension of disbelief, though.) For an Austen fan, it is one of those 'feel good' ultra-romantic movies that leaves you smiling at the end. Elliot Cowan steals the show as Mr. Darcy. This was also, I understand, meant as a series, but works beautifully as a movie.

Christmas Shopping for the Jane Austen Fan

I'm assuming some of you have begun your Christmas shopping unless you're like me and always wait until the last minute then run about in a frenzy. My shopping suggestions are meant for those who like to plan, for those among you to whom the very idea of holiday 'frenzy' is anathema. And again I mention that I have no finger in any of these pies. Shop where you will. I merely like to corral a few ideas together for those too tired to think much beyond the moment and only because it's fun for me to do so.

Christmas Shopping for the Jane Austen Fan - you know who they are. (There's just SO much Austen merchandise out there, hence: the necessity of a separate shopping list.) Now, I'm assuming that any Jane Austen fan will already have her favorite Austen books and Austen films, but you know, you can never have too many of those, especially since books have a habit of falling apart after repeated readings and even dvds don't last forever - no matter what my daughter says. (And notice I make no mention of Jane Austen on Kindle or reading online. I am not a big fan of either, at least not yet, and know next to nothing about e-reading devices so can't recommend them. There are plenty of fan-sites where you can go for that information.)

Besides, to my mind, there's just something not quite kosher about reading Austen online or on Kindle - know what I mean?

I'm not a Jane Austen blog and there are certainly plenty of good ones out there (I'll shortly link to a couple of my favorites) but I am a Jane Austen fan and I do blog about books - as such, I figure I'm entitled to recommend the Jane Austen stuff I'm either familiar with or intrigued by, for the Jane Austen devotee in your life. Please note that I am listing my favorite film versions of the Austen stories in a separate post. (The only way to keep this particular post from running on until forever. Jeez, who knew there was SO MUCH Jane Austen stuff?)

Note: I'm not a fan of Jane Austen zombies, mummies, vampires or werewolves, so don't expect to see any of those titles on my list. Certainly you can find enough of that elsewhere.

By the way: The Modern Library editions of Jane Austen's books are especially nice paperback editions. I own a couple and can vouch for that. If you're looking to give paperback editions, these have a very quiet Austen-like appearance that I like.

The wonderful Jane Austen Tote shown above is available online at Republic of Pemberly.

What I like best is: you can customize a tote for yourself or as a gift. They have many Jane Austen choices. The tote would be fun filled with Austen paperbacks or other Austen paraphernalia.

The white mug with Austen quote is currently available at the Brookish etsy shop. Perfect for a tea or coffee break when you're in an Austen mood. There are many Jane Austen merchants on etsy. But I have a feeling the really good stuff goes quickly.

Read more about the Annotated Pride and Prejudice edited by Patricia Meyer Spacks at the Jane Austen World blog. (Doesn't the book have the most gorgeous cover?) This is a great companion gift idea for the Austen fan who cherishes Pride and Prejudice and wants to learn more about it. (Another Austen blog I especially like is: Jane Austen Today.)

I own the Victoria Pleasures of Tea book and love it. Can't recommend it enough as a source of inspiration. Of course, what else but tea would satisfy while reading or listening or watching anything Austen? Gorgeous photographs, too.

Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd was reviewed by yours truly a few weeks ago. Here's my link. This book plus the original, Mansfield Park - good gift combo.

Jane Austen action figure. Well, I love this sort of thing and I'm sure I'm not the only one. What Austen fan wouldn't want one? Make sure by stealth that they don't already have it, of course. (Though it is not the sort of thing, I would have thought, that one buys for oneself.)

Jane Austen in Scarsdale by Paula Marantz Cohen is a total delight. A very loose, humorous re-telling of Austen's Persuasion, set in the wealthy suburb of Scarsdale, New York. I've read it and love it. If you're an Austen fan, you will be rewarded by a pastiche done well. If you're not so much into Austen, you'll still love this tale of a woman of a certain age given another chance at love.

Jane Austen in Boca by Paula Marantz Cohen is absolutely wonderful. Imagine this: Pride and Prejudice set in a Boca Raton, Florida, senior living community. Don't run shrieking from the room - it works. It's funny, very well written and cleverly realized. Paula Marantz Cohen has created two of the best Austen pastiches, in my opinion.

A boxed collection of Jane Austen novels in hardcover, might be a dream come true for a reader. Even if they have the books in assorted editions, it would be great to have a specific set. This one looks especially nice and appears to be available on ebay for about 48 bucks, but I'm sure there are other boxed sets in other designs and other prices, available elsewhere. Powell's has this particular set for about 68 bucks, if you're not a fan of dealing with ebay.

Austenland by Shannon Hale is another take on Jane Austen's work. This time out, we're treated to a visit to an Austen theme park in England, the Austenland of the title. It's a modern day love story with a surprise ending that I absolutely loved and wasn't expecting.

How about a gift of Calligraphy? I was walking by the Calligraphy studio in my town, 24 Karat Designs - Preserving the Art of Beautiful Writing, and stopped to look at the stunning work done there by artist Kathy Milici. My immediate thought was 'what a great idea for a Christmas present'. An Austen (or any well-loved) quotation hand-lettered and designed in calligraphy or a gift certificate for calligraphy lessons (Kathy has classes in all different levels of expertise for those who live near us in New Jersey) or...use your imagination. Certainly something an Austen or history or art buff would love. There is probably a calligraphy studio somewhere in your area as well. In Austen's day, beautiful handwriting was treasured.