Mother's Day Gift

My mother is a teacher and spends her whole summer catching up on the reading she was unable to do during the school year. I want to get her a book or two for a good summer read. She's pretty well-read and isn't into the whole "romance novel" genre. I want more like recent novels that are intriguing and a good summer "getaway." Thanks guys!

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik
Small Island by Andrea Levy

I don't have a novel title to offer you..Since your mom is so into books, how about this: Honey For a Woman's Heart by Gladys Hunt. It is full of encouragent for women to read widely, and had lists and suggestions of great books in all genres. While it is written from a Christian persepective, Hiunt does NOT stick to titles from Christian writers and publishers, but encourages women to read books written from a wide variety of perspectives. I like to give this book, and a jar of honey and either a bag of Bit O' Honey candy, or some homemade muffins.Some herbal tea and a tea cup might substitute for the candy and muffins. It could also go well with a gift certificate to a Coffee-Scented bookstore so she can choose a book she's been dying to read.

Gladys Hunt has also written two similar books for children-one for younger kids, and one for teens. I like to get Honey For a Child's Heart and Pat The Bunny for baby shower gifts.

I 2nd 'The Shadow of the Wind' by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
fantastic book, Quite sure your Mother will love it.

Well, after getting her the books, take her out for a nice dinner and give her a nice big bug and a kiss on the cheek. I bet she'll probably love that more than any book.

As for my suggestion: Get her the Time Traveller's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. Not *too* scifi-ish, and very accessible to non-genre readers.

ds

direstraits said:

...and give her a nice big bug and a kiss on the cheek.

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EWW. I don't know that my mom would dig...

direstraits said:

Well, after getting her the books, take her out for a nice dinner and give her a nice big bug and a kiss on the cheek. I bet she'll probably love that more than any book.

As for my suggestion: Get her the Time Traveller's Wife, by Audrey Niffenegger. Not *too* scifi-ish, and very accessible to non-genre readers.

ds

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freaky deaky banana man, i was just going to suggest this as well. loved this book. it is hard to convince non-scif-ers that it is not going to be scifi, but is really about this long and difficult but passionate relationship. i highly recommend this book.

Okay, well, the bug is really for your own laughs. Once she settles down, then give her the hug.

"Awww, ma... the idiot who suggested this to me got the instructions wrong!"

"Freaky deaky?" Is that a term of endearment?

ds

direstraits said:

"Freaky deaky?" Is that a term of endearment?

ds

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no it means wierd. but my poor grammar makes it seem like i am saying hey you freaky deaky banana man, when really there should have been a coma. freaky deaky, banana man. wierd, banana man.
i meant it like, wierd, we both thought of the same book.

jenngorham said:

no it means wierd. but my poor grammar makes it seem like i am saying hey you freaky deaky banana man, when really there should have been a coma. freaky deaky, banana man. wierd, banana man.
i meant it like, wierd, we both thought of the same book.

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Oh, okay.

I don't do this normally, but since today's your birthday, my present to you is: 'Weird'.

Don't laugh too hard now.

ds

Has your mother discovered Precious Ramotswe yet? I would strongly recommend Alexander McCall Smith's Botswana novels starting with The No. One Ladies' Detective Agency.

ricc said:

Has your mother discovered Precious Ramotswe yet? I would strongly recommend Alexander McCall Smith's Botswana novels starting with The No. One Ladies' Detective Agency.

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Ooo! Yes - that's a very good recommendation. Don't be put off my the name, it's very good!

Or, what about The Shipping News by Annie Proulx?