Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, November 17, 1995 TAG: 9511170017
SECTION: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PAGE: HGG-24 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
While books are a sensible start, accessories, first editions, leather-bound copies, books on tape and even gift certificates also are sure to please the book worm on your list.
Karla Kirk, Books-A-Million manager, suggested a gift certificate as the best present for the undecided, especially if you know the recipient loves books but are unsure of his or her preferences. Books-A-Million offers a Millionaires Club Card for $5 annually, which gives the cardholder 10 percent off all purchases.
For those with an appetite for hot items off the shelf, Kirk said books by children's mystery writer R.L. Stine will be most welcome. Books-A-Million now is carrying his first three Goosebumps books in a boxed set.
There are boxed sets of books in many other categories, also. Kirk suggested looking into Dr. Seuss, classics, anthologies and romances. In addition to Stine's popularity, Kirk predicted author Michael Crichton and anything written about O.J. Simpson will be selling quickly this holiday season.
For the senior citizen on your list, Kirk suggested any book in large print - and they are available at Books-A-Million in the best-seller, contemporary literature, and classic categories. In addition, Kirk said her store carries page magnifiers and book lights. The latter accessory is in the form of a cover which slips over the book and has a light that shines on the page. Kirk said it's perfect for traveling.
If your recipient is the driver and not the reader on the road, you may consider books on tape. Books-A-Million has motivational books, language lessons, best-sellers, literature and biographies. In addition, the store carries crossword puzzles in a frame, which makes it easy to fill in the blanks while riding on a bumpy surface.
For the last-minute stocking stuffer, Kirk suggested bookmarks, either magnetized or decorative, as well as the little gift books.
Those with a penchant for discovery may want to delve into Too Many Books, the epitome of the used book store with surprises around every corner.
Owners Ellen Troland and Linda Steadman not only carry used books, but some new, some rare and some books on tape for rental as well as purchase.
Troland and Steadman said some of the more popular categories of books are local history, Virginia history, and anything written by a Virginia writer, all of which may be just right for your cousin in California.
If you're undecided when you first walk in, you might want to sit a spell and glance through their copies of the Washington Post and New York Times book reviews -- both of which they suggested make good gifts throughout the year. Although they do not have copies available for sale, they said these weekly book reviews are available elsewhere in town.
Still undecided? Strike up a conversation. This is one of the benefits of patronizing a small, locally owned business. Troland and Steadman said they often help their clientele by asking what the gift recipient's hobbies are, where they live or what they do. Throughout their store are small table displays filled with suggestions that come in all categories, from best-sellers to old favorites.
Troland and Steadman said a good dictionary would be welcomed by an avid reader. The shorter Oxford English Dictionary, Steadman said - the one that costs about $80 to $100 - is better than the volumes-long full edition. In addition, she suggested first editions, particularly in the book lover's area of interest or favorite author. Another idea, but one that will take some planning, is to send books to an author for signing, via the publisher.
Both Troland and Steadman also suggested bookplates, which won't devalue a book as much as writing one's name in. You can send away for personalized bookplates for your friend, or have an embosser made.
Upstairs in Too Many Books, in the back corner, is a delightful area filled with children's books. Shelves of Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries, Dr. Seuss and other much-loved literature are available at used-book prices. But this store also carries out-of-print and first edition children's books as well as valuable pop-up collectible books.
Around the holiday season, Steadman said the most popular gifts tend to be pretty books of poetry, the classics, books on Virginia, cookbooks and older collectibles But their approach to stocking shelves is not to buy just what sells, but to have the more obscure books available also.
"People come in looking for the obscure, and people love the old bindings, or books on their hobbies,'' said Steadman.
Too Many Books also has gift certificates available.
by CNB