Christmas Gift Biographies and Memoirs
2008's Best Biographical Books Make Great Holiday Presents
Nov 29, 2008
Books make wonderful gifts. When that sweater has been tucked away in the drawer and the video game's novelty wears off, settling in with a good, inspiring read will be much appreciated by the recipient. Biographies, autobiographies and memoirs are often some of the most inspirational of books, as they tend to relate a message via the author's (or subject's) life-experience.
With a little bit of thought on the part of the gift-giver, the gift of a well-chosen biography can often be just what the loved one was looking for, whether they knew it or not. At the least, it will entertain. Here are some of the more recent biographical books, listed by category, along with a brief description and a few similar choices, to help make your holiday shopping a little easier.
Biographies For The Business Or Economy-Minded
- The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life by Alice Schroeder. The richest (and one of the most respected) man on Earth has never written a memoir but has given author Alice Schroeder full and exclusive access to his life. Forbes Magazine has called this "the mandatory book to read in these treacherous times of financial crisis." (2008, Bantam, 976 pgs. isbn:13-978-0553805093)
- The First Billion is the Hardest by T. Boone Pickens
- Call Me Ted by Ted Turner & Bill Burke
Biographies For The Music Fan
- John Lennon: The Life by Philip Norman. Author of the critically-acclaimed Beatles Bio Shout!, Norman now turns his attention to Lennon. These 864 pages have been called the most extensive of all the numerous Lennon biographies. Written with Yoko Ono's cooperation. (2008, Doubleday, 864 pgs. isbn: 13-978-0385661003)
- Ronnie by Ronnie Wood
- Beethoven by William Kinderman
- Clapton:The Autobiography by Eric Clapton
Biographies For the Animal-Lover
- Marley and Me by John Grogan. One of the most popular books of the year, this story of Labrador Retriever Marley, who was kicked out of obedience school for bad behavior, will have pet lovers simultaneously laughing tears and completely understanding. (2008,Harper, 320 pgs. isbn: 13-978-0060817091)
- Dewey: A Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Bret Witter
- Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl by Stacy O'Brien
Biographies to Inspire
- A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah. This incredible, heart-rending story of a 12-year-old "soldier" caught up in his homeland of Sierra Leone's brutal civil war is all the more inspiring in the fact that he made it to the U.S., graduated from Oberlin College, and is able to tell it. (2008, Douglas & McIntyre, isbn: 13-978-1553653981)
- Letters To My Daughter by Maya Angelou
- The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Biographies For the Sports Fan
- Patrick Roy: Winning, Nothing Else by Michel Roy. The story of legendary NHL goalie Patrick Roy is told from the unique perspective of his dad. Originally published in French, it highlights Roy's revolutionizing of the goaltender position, including his Butterfly style. (2008, Wiley, 416 pgs. isbn: 13-978-0470156162)
- The Game by Ken Dryden
- Pele: The Autobiography by Pele
Celebrity Autobiography/Memoirs
- Audition: A Memoir by Barbara Walters. The first lady of television journalism gives us the inside scoop on The Today Show, becoming the first female network news anchor, all those interviews and more. Note: Apparently Barbara has left out some of the steamy details, but there is plenty here from a woman who has interviewed just about everybody on the world stage. (2008, Knopf, 624 pgs. isbn:13-978-0307266460)
- Pieces of My Heart by Robert Wagner
- In Spite of Myself by Christopher Plummer
- Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself by Alan Alda
This year, consider giving books as presents. One trip to the book store can solve most of your Christmas shopping dilemmas. Of course, books can also be purchased online and delivered right to your door. It's easy to stick within a budget with books as well! While you're at it, pick up one or two for yourself. Happy Holidays!
