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10 books that make perfect presents

Sure, books make great gifts, but there’s just so many to choose from! John Searles, book editor for Cosmopolitan magazine, gives 10 suggestions for every personality type on your list.
/ Source: TODAY

Sure, books make great gifts, but there’s just so many to choose from! John Searles, book editor for Cosmopolitan magazine and author of “Strange but True” recommends 10 books for friends and family of every age and interest.

“Made In Italy” by Giorgio LocatelliMichelin-starred Giorgio Locatelli is one of Britain’s best known Italian chefs. Giorgio began his career at his family’s restaurant in Italy before moving to London. He was head chef at Zafferano in London from its opening to a storm of praise and press coverage in 1994, before moving in 2002 to open Locanda Locatelli, where he remains chef-patron. “Made in Italy” combines old Locatelli family stories and recipes with the contemporary dishes from his celebrated London restaurants.

“Desserts By the Yard” by Sherry Yard
Brooklyn-born Yard worked her way up to reign as Hollywood and Beverly Hills queen of sweet. Executive pastry chef of Puck’s Spago empire, she annually creates 1,700 or so desserts for the Governors Ball following the Oscars, such as mousse-filled chocolate boxes on power-painted red carpets the year Julia Roberts won for “Erin Brockovich.” In this book she offers news for the professional and foolproof secrets for the avid amateur.

“Good Spirits” by A.J. RathbunCocktail enthusiast A.J. Rathbun has collected 450 classic and contemporary drink recipes featuring a wide variety of spirits, mixers and garnishes. Accompanied by full-color photographs and written in a fresh, lively tone, this book is a great guide for anyone who appreciates the art of the cocktail. A.J. Rathbun is a freelance food and entertaining writer and the author of “Party Drinks!” His work has appeared in numerous national publications. A.J. also teaches mixology classes at cooking schools.

“The Sports Book” from DK PublishingFeaturing the largest and most diverse range of sports of any comparable book — more than 200 in all — from basketball to bobsledding, karate to korfball, synchronized swimming to ski-jumping, this guide presents information sourced from leading experts and sports governing bodies. Plus, the cover is made of Astroturf!

“Alive” by Anita Ganeri
This human body book quite literally comes to life off and on the page. It allows you to travel through the body’s systems using a host of novelty features, from pop-ups, flaps, sound chips, acetate, pull-tabs and fiber optics that illustrate, inform, stimulate and entertain. There’s something for all the family in this graphic portrayal of the human body.

“Snog: A Puppy’s Guide to Love” by Rachael Hale
This book features 60 original images of puppies from animal photographer Rachel Hale. Hale uses her lens, her love of dogs and a great deal of patience to create an enchanting perspective on how puppies see the world. Whether napping or nibbling at each other’s ears, these adorable pooches show a deep, easily shared affection for one another.

“Dressed: A Century of Hollywood Costume Design” by Deborah Nadoolman LandisFrom the lavish productions of Hollywood’s Golden Age through the high-tech blockbusters of today, the most memorable movies all have one thing in common: They rely on the magical transformations rendered by the costume designer. “Dressed” showcases o100 years of Hollywood’s most tantalizing costumes and the characters they helped to bring to life.

“The Garden in the Winter” by Suzy Bales
Most of us think of winter as the time when the garden sleeps and our attention turns to indoor activities. But “Better Homes Gardens” contributing editor Suzy Bales lures us to the windows, the garden paths and outdoor areas to witness the beauty and vitality of the winter garden. Bales provides details on the best plants and cultivators to choose and explains how to group them for the most arresting vignettes. She devotes an entire chapter sharing her secrets for creating one-of-a-kind holiday wreaths, unique centerpieces and mantel arrangements, and outdoor features with greens, interesting branches, berries, cones and seedpods from her winter garden.

“Christmas Around the World” by Chuck FischerPop-up artist Chuck Fischer’s newest creation features France, Germany, Russia, Latin America, Scandinavia, Great Britain, Italy and the United States. Each includes a central pop-up image, removable booklets, pullouts, mini pop-ups and more. The text illuminates unique Christmas traditions, gift legacies and portraits of mythic figures, such as England’s Father Christmas and Italy’s Le Befana.

“A Little Fruit Cake” by David Valdes GreenwoodThe annual fruitcake symbolizes all that is wonderful about the holidays (goodwill, tradition, colorful treats) and all that makes them maddening (strange foods, crazy relatives and those darned candied fruits). Here in twelve stories — one each for the twelve days of Christmas — David Valdes Greenwood captures the spirit of the holiday and the outrageous unpredictability of family celebrations. Gather around the tree for tales of a God-fearing Grammy assembling candy tins as fast as she can; daredevil brothers roof-jumping into snow drifts — and Nixon’s role in it all; a Christmas pageant with warring wise men and one wiser woman; and the winter night that Valdes Greenwood discovers the true gift of the season.