Today, no etiquette bitching.
Just a personal request, as the holidays are upon us: Buy books this year for gifts. They're less bulky than, say, a sweater; will travel well if you're flying for the holidays; and, as our president-elect says, it's good to "turn off the TV and read with your kids."
I urge you to, ideally, purchase books from your local independent bookseller. "Because a scented candle never changed anyone's life," as indiebound says.
But no matter how you buy books, just get out there and buy some new books.
Some ideas and resources below for you:
The New York Times' 100 Notable Books of 2008
Find your nearest independent bookseller at indiebound.org
My favorite reads:
Amy Sedaris' I Like You...Hospitality Under the Influence
David Foster Wallace's Consider the Lobster and A Supposedly Fun Thing That I'll Never Do Again
Michael Pollan's The Omnivore's Dilemma
