Living in the presents: Tips on giving books as gifts
A man was walking in New York City when he passed a street vendor with books laid out on the pavement. In the $1 pile was a copy of a Philip Roth novel, which he'd loved. He picked it up, turned to the first page - and found a very loving inscription, written by himself, to his newly ex-girlfriend. He bought the book, then threw it in the nearest trash barrel.
That little story is a good prelude to Rule #1 of buying books as gifts: Don't write an inscription in a book unless it's a book you've written yourself. Instead, restrict your sentiment to an enclosed card, in part because a lot of books end up in somebody else's house. Also, writing in a book defaces it, and if your heirs ever hope to sell your books, that inscription from Uncle Rufus will diminish their marketability. Admittedly, for some people, past lives evoked by inherited inscriptions may be part of the appeal. Book dealers just are picky that way -- and so are many of their customers.
Rule #2: Sometimes, the gift of a book says more about the giver than the recipient. Choose for the recipient rather than what you think they should read. Rule #2A: Never give a book that suggests the recipient needs changing, e.g. An Idiot's Guide To Losing Weight.
Rule #3. The best gift is something someone wants but is hesitant to buy it themselves. That principle applies to books. A favorite book signed by the author, or in a fancy leather binding or slipcase can be a good idea.
Rule #4. Think about the recipient's interests. A cook might enjoy an offbeat cookbook; a photographer would probably like a book on a photorgapher he or she admires. A mystery fan might enjoy some tasteless poison capsules that can be slipped into someone's drink. Just kidding!
Rule #5. Give a stand-alone book; don't give someone the first book in a series -- you're committing them to something they may not want to commit to.
Rule #6. Don't choose a book simply based on its popularity or best-seller status. Show some independent thinking.
Rule #7. For a recipient who is very busy, the thinner the book, the better. (Stephen King fans excepted.)
Rule #8. When in doubt, go the gift certificate route. (Yes, we have them, and can even take orders over the phone.)
Excerpts by Elle Hunt
