Book Club

This week's post is a gift guide for everyone doing last minute Christmas shopping. I'm suggesting that you all go with the gift that keeps on giving...a book your loved ones can read over and over and over again until their mother hides it or donates it to the PTA for fear they will never grow out of young adult (@Missy). Interestingly enough, I never did grow out of YA books and people are constantly asking me if they are my guilty pleasure. No. As I've said before, I don't believe you should feel guilty about liking what you like unless it's something totally unforgivable, like Ed Hardy.

So here are my book suggestions for all the literate loves in your life.

For the scientist...
The Martian by Andy Weir

Okay let me just say that I HATE science, I have a particular disdain for NASA, but this book was amazing! (I didn't see the point of NASA after America won the space race in the 60s, let's redirect all that money towards the next reboot of Degrassi, am I right?) But this book changed all that with its ongoing action, witty (though limited) dialogue and the clever, sarcastic, indomitable Matt Damon. I mean Mark Watney. The only way this book could have been better is if it had somehow found a way to re-grant Pluto full planetary status. I feel very strongly about that.
Extra: After reading the book and seeing the movie you will have some new vocab words. I walked around talking like an abandoned astronaut for WEEKS. On the way to my car in the morning "Body temp is decreasing rapidly, better make it to the rover.". Checking the pantry for dinner "The remaining rations seem unchanged.".

For your dad...
The Junction Boys by Jim Dent
I bought this book for my dad last Christmas and he loved it! And by bought I mean purchased it on Amazon with my dad's credit card since it was required reading for a class. And by he loved it I mean he hasn't read it yet but he definitely still has it, so...that's something. This book is about Coach Bear Bryant, his first teams at Alabama and what most rational people would consider torture and abuse. An all-around fun holiday read.
Extra: Spark a lively debate on how Bear Bryant would translate into present-day coaching. Kind of makes that Rutgers coach look like a kindergarten teacher huh? Bonus points if you gift this book with your own notes and commentary like I did.

For your religious aunt...
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

It's like fan fiction of the Bible. My current favorite book, I wish it could have gone on forever. I've always loved the story of Jacob & Rachel, but this examines the life of Dinah, who you never really get to hear about because Joseph was so busy showing off and saving Egypt from famine and what not. I'm currently involved in a large-scale letter writing campaign to get Diamant to write more fanfic on women from the Bible.
Extra: The Lifetime miniseries, available on Amazon, was fabulous. I watched it in its entirety 3 times in the 2 days that it premiered.

For your sarcastic uncle... 
Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls by David Sedaris
David Sedaris is not only one of my favorite writers of all time, he is everything I hope to be. Did I move to Raleigh to be a little more like him? That's one theory. This collection of essays hits all the high notes: colonoscopies, taxidermy and kookaburras.
Extra: I'm not normally a fan of Sedaris's fiction, but the short stories in this particular book were phenomenal!

For your mom...
Landline by Rainbow Rowell

I never realized that a book about a rich, married, successful comedy writer could be this enjoyable to me, a poor, single, successful comedy writer. But everything Rowell pens turns to gold and Landline is no exception. One of those books where you genuinely miss the characters throughout the day. Oh, just me?

Extra: Listen to Hello by Adele when reading this. Trust me.

For the hipster...
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Also perfect for young adults (i.e. anyone who has ever been between the ages 16-30). This is a love story that didn't make me want to vomit. Very subtle commentary on perception. This book filled the hole left in my heart when I finished all of John Green's books. Once the movie comes out, look for ATBP quotes all over your Instagram feed, probably with completely unrelated selfies.
Extra: An excellent way to spark conversations about mental health and I would suggest listening to Sparks Fly on repeat while reading. Of course that's not specific to this book, I recommend all T. Swift all the time.

For the new parent...
Dad is Fat by Jim Gaffigan
I'm not gonna lie, for the first 60 pages or so of this book, I hated it. I was disappointed because I felt it just wasn't funny enough. That's the problem with being in this industry, reading my own posts sets the bar pretty high. But as soon as I started talking crap about this book, telling people that it wasn't what I expected, it got hilarious! Suspect witchcraft.
Extra: Gaffigan is a clean comic, so telling jokes from this book at your next family gathering will go over a lot better than the time I attempted to recreate an Amy Schumer sketch for my grandma.