Grad gift: More than a money holder

Sure, grads need cash. It's gotta be the most appreciated gift of all time. Gift cards are almost certainly the second favored item, right? And they're easy on the giver, minimal shopping and wrapping and all that. But.

They're so. You know. Nondescript. Unimaginative. Borrrrrrring.

Giving a grad a gift like cash or pre-paid gift cards is practical, sure to inspire sincere "thanks" and yet, the grateful word is so often accompanied by the look that says, "Boy, you put a lot of thought into that, huh?"

Enter the book. You can stand out from the other check-writing, gift card-toting graduation party attendees by sticking your check, cash, or gift card into a clever (good) book. You know I love The Naked Roommate (snicker if you want to; it is full of practical advice for college-bound high school grads) but there are more, newer titles to consider - some perfect for college graduation gifts, as well as high school pomp and circumstance. Some ... are really only "perfect" if you know the graduate's parents really well. Just think before you wrap, OK?

A few on my graduate gift-giving radar:

No Money? No Problem (see how that title could double as an excuse for the low amount of your check?), Cool Shit (sort of 'The Dangerous Book' for teens/adults who aren't quite grownups) and the give-at-your-own-risk Get Laid. 

No, I don't make this s... stuff up. What about you? What books are you wrapping up for graduates in the class of 2012? Please share... it's almost party time!

60 Reasons

Full disclosure: this is a shameless* self-promotion. The full title of this post is
60 Reasons to Give 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Cleveland as a Gift
(I get points for honesty, right?)

1. Hiking is fun!
2. Hiking is free!
3. And it's good for you! But, most people don't have time, so
4. 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Cleveland makes it easier to find the hikes that are just right for you, and makes it easier to fit 'em into your schedule.
5. New edition for 2011
6. Printed in the USA
7. At $17.95, about the price of a decent bottle of wine, and
8. Red or white? doesn't matter.
9. Fabulously fit or couch-potato? doesn't matter, because...
10. Most of the hikes are under 3 miles long and many (especially the longer ones) offer options to do only a portion of the trail. (Directions for turn-around points included in each description.)
11. It's gotten some good reviews! (Thanks, Plain Dealer and Akron Moms)
12. Easy-to-use reference guide lists hikes by length, terrain, points of interest, and more. See the list for hikes featuring waterfalls, those that are good for young children, historical hikes, hikes good for solitude, and "busy" hikes, for those who prefer company on the trail
12. 60 Hikes is like 60 mini-vacations. And that's quite a gift!
13. Available online and at lots of local bookstores including .... oh, probably best to just check my Facebook Page for the most up-to-date list. 
14. Just getting outside for a little walk noticeably boosts your brain's cognitive function.
15. Did I mention that hiking is free?
16. You know that person you have to buy a gift for, but you're not sure what ? This will fit. Like your...
17. ...Newspaper or mail delivery person
18. ...Hairdresser
19. ...Dog groomer (I don't think that's redundant. Not for most of you, anyway.)
20. ...Second-cousin-once-or-twice-removed that you got in the family gift exchange. (YOU know the one)
21. It's available as a Sony e-book, and
22. also for the Kindle.
23. Gift recipient is a hiking snob? Thinks only the AT will do? Even so, if you live here, here's where to hike.
24. Everyone needs to find a place to chill sometimes.
25. Makes a great teacher gift!
26. And graduation gift, too!

27. Qualifies for free shipping at Amazon
28. This seems like a pretty long list already. Do you need more reasons?
29. Because I LOVE hearing from people who say "I found a new favorite hike thanks to your book!"
30. Hiking can be romantic. Think of this as 60 blueprints for a great first date.
31. (this one's a visual; see photo) ----------->
32. Gorgeous views like this can be found all over Cleveland. Yes, CLEVELAND.
33. We're over half-way there. Look, it's a great book, and -
34. I'd be happy to sign it for you. Contact me though Facebook or my website. (An autographed copy! Your recipient will be impressed!)
35. Hiking boots are optional for most of these jaunts. A sturdy pair of tennis shoes will serve you well on the majority of these trails.
36. A pair from Appalachian Outfitters or Wild Earth Outfitters will impress your fellow hikers, though. 37. Support your local writer. (Please?)
38. Maybe this cute video will convince you.
39. Are you still reading this? If you quit reading now and just buy the book, you'll save yourself some time. There. Reason enough ;)
40. Makes nice gift for a retiree who might be looking for a new hobby or "direction."
41. Books are really easy to wrap.
42. No matter how long they've lived in Cleveland, I'll bet your recipient could learn something from this book.
43. Not exactly sunny outside? Reading about these great hikes can help make winter go by faster.
44. Talk about the ideal housewarming gift for someone new to the area!
45. It's also a great wedding or engagement gift. (See #27)
46. Book clubs are great. Hiking clubs are better for your heart and legs. Buy this for a few of your friends and you can start a reading-hiking club!
47. Lovely brown/russet cover looks good on any table, or shelf :) but even better
48. 60 Hikes tends to be a gift that gets used. A lot!
49. In fact, I don't know why it didn't land on Huffington Post's lists of great dad holiday gift books??
50. It's full of local history anecdotes that will amuse and amaze friends.
51. Hiking is still free, however --
52. --if your gift recipient likes to spend money, this book provides a great excuse to pick up new boots, a GPS unit, camouflage and rain gear, sunscreen, and fancy trail snacks.
53. Everybody needs a hobby, and hiking is better than gambling (and a few other things).
54. You can include a business card as a bookmark. Not exactly subtle, I'll admit, but it can be done.
55. Seriously? You're still reading? Trust me, the book has way better material. (Buy one!)
56. Shopping for a shutterbug? Good news: the rocks, trees, insects, and animals never complain about having a bad picture posted on Facebook.
57. Fresh air does everyone good.
58. My publisher will feel better about giving me that advance :D
59. Kids have an annual leaf project? This will tell you where to find some different trees, and pick up unusual leaves. Hey, we can all use a little extra credit on a science project here and there.
60. Because if you haven't thought of anything else yet, this really is the best gift idea!


*ok just a little sheepish

Hoberman's Seven Silly Eaters Still Magic

I've been reading The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman for nearly a decade.

The picture book written in Hoberman's pitch-perfect verse tells the story of the Peters family with not one, not a handful, but seven (!) very picky eaters.

Mrs. Peters goes from the epitome of patience to nearly-undone in the course of the story; in the end, the whole family finds an accidental but delightful solution: they eat cake!

(Trust me, Hoberman does a much better job with the story than I do.)

My son, nearing the five-year mark, requested it again last night; then my just-turned 13yo daughter curled up on the couch to hear it for the upteenth time!

What? The same children who had spent most of the previous four hours trying to confound, maim, or kill each other? Yes. The same kids who nearly caused their not-so-patient mommy to crack up? The same.

Hoberman's magic worked again; providing yet another very happy ending to our evening.

Neat trick!

Need I say it? If you're looking for a gift for almost any young reader/listener, I recommend this one.

Censorship Sucks, I Hate Shopping, and ...

Happy Thanksgiving. But seriously, I do hate shopping.

Regardless, I was thrilled to find this site, where book-lovers can buy buttons and stickers and even t-shirts that proclaim, "I read banned books."

Because a genuine ho-ho-happy holidays spirit never catches up with me until my Christmas shopping is done, I tend to rush through stores, online and off, before Halloween. This year, I'm behind schedule, and taking a different tack - one that, I hope, results in giving more gifts "made in the USA" than made in China. It ain't easy, but fortunately, I've found many books that are printed in the USA. Ditto for Post-it notes, and a lot of specialty paper items. Go figure. Or go write.

My favorite gift items this year are show tickets. I suspect the US exports more "entertainment" than anything else, so I feel like I'm supporting the home team with my purchases of DVDs, movie theater passes, and tickets to local and regional theater productions. Plus, it's nice to get out with the family to be entertained.

Heaven knows I could entertain myself for years with all the books on my shelves and at the library, but let's face it, once the kids hit a certain age, we just don't do a lot of reading to each other. Sigh.

Speaking of books for the read-to-me set, though, those certainly make great gifts. To make bookish gifts extra-special, I've enjoyed picking ones penned by local authors and getting autographed copies. Ohio authors you might be lucky to catch at area bookstores:

LeeAnn Blankenship, author of Mr. Tuggle's Troubles (Boyd's Mill Press, 2005)
Jeanine Garsee, author of Before, After, and Somebody in Between (Bloomsbury, 2007)
Annette Sheldon, author of Big Sister Now (Magination Press, 2006)
Joan Arbogast, author of Buildings in Disguise (Boyd's Mill Press, 2004)

If you've got favorite local authors, speak up!