The Daily Sunday Special: Gifting Books for the Holidays
Joumana Khatib and Sadie Stein, editors at The New York Times Book Review, dive into the world of holiday gifting through books. Joumana praises the evocative writing in Annika Norlin's "The Colony" and highlights Kiran Desai's sweeping immigrant epic. Sadie recommends thought-provoking titles like "Perfection" and quirky options for those hard-to-shop-for friends. They share strategies for personalized gifts and celebrate cozy mysteries for moms, while exploring culinary-themed books and unique finds for dads. Plus, a fun quiz wraps up their recommendations!
50:17
Books As Universal Holiday Gifts
- Gilbert Cruz argues books are the best universal gifts because you can find one for anyone on your list.
- He says books work even for people who don't usually read, offering a personalized present.
What Makes Fiction Exciting
- Sadie Stein prefers fiction without conventional plots and values strong dialogue.
- She especially enjoys translated fiction and books that surprise her.
Choose Translations To Broaden Perspective
- Joumana Khatib recommends reading translated literature to access new idioms and perspectives.
- She also emphasizes respecting translators' difficult and often invisible work.
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Intro
00:00 • 28sec
Editors Describe Their Pleasure Reading
00:28 • 4min
Highlights from the Year: The Colony
04:15 • 3min
Perfection and Translated Fiction
07:00 • 2min
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
08:57 • 2min
The Director: Art, Compromise, Pabst
11:20 • 2min
Playworld: Memory and Growing Up
13:33 • 3min
A Marriage at Sea: Survival and Marriage
16:40 • 4min
Ad break
20:44 • 2min
Gifting Strategy: Person Who Has Everything
22:32 • 4min
Cozy Mystery Picks for Moms
26:46 • 2min
Foodie Reader (Non-Cookbook) Choices
28:17 • 2min
Gifts for a Grandmother Who Loves Performance
30:32 • 2min
Books for Dads and New Dads
32:12 • 3min
Additional Unusual Gift Ideas
35:40 • 2min
Ad break
37:53 • 2min
Coworker Feud Quiz: Books People Name
39:41 • 8min
Fast Money Round Highlights
47:22 • 4min
Quiz Winner and Award Moment
51:44 • 1min
Outro
53:11 • 1min
#51053
Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes
Felicity Dahl
Roald Dahl
Josie Fison
Roald Dahl's Revolting Recipes brings to life the deliciously disgusting dishes mentioned in Dahl's stories, such as Green Pea Soup, Wormy Spaghetti, and Scrambled Dregs.
The book includes recipes for young chefs, each accompanied by original illustrations by Quentin Blake and photographs by Jan Baldwin.
It encourages children to cook with confidence and creativity, never talking down to its audience.
The recipes are inspired by classics like 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' and 'James and the Giant Peach'.
#23743
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Colony
Annika Norlin
#37528
Mrs. Manders' Cook Book
Rumer Godden
Olga Sarah Manders
Mrs.
Manders' Cook Book is a first edition cookbook originally authored by Olga Sarah Manders and edited by Rumer Godden, published in 1968.
The book showcases regional cooking recipes along with Mrs. Manders' personal stories and culinary wisdom, complemented by decorative illustrations and editorial notes by Godden.
#50006
Cats in color
Stevie Smith
Published in 1959, Cats in Colour is a collection of cat photographs with a 17-page introduction by renowned British poet Stevie Smith.
The introduction includes humorous cat stories and poems, exploring cat nature, cat facts, and the enigmatic relationship between cats and humans.
The book was printed in the Netherlands and published in London as part of the Batsford Colour Book series.
#35171
Stories 1, 2, 3, 4
Etienne Delessert
Eugène Ionesco
Back in print for the first time since the 1970s, these illustrated stories by Eugène Ionesco follow the winsome adventures of a young girl named Josette as her father tells her tales filled with silliness, visual wit, and Ionesco's signature rhinoceri.
The stories showcase playful conversations and absurdist elements that make ideal bedtime reading, combining realism with imaginative, surreal moments.
#58113
Les diners de Gala
Salvador Dali
Les dîners de Gala es una obra maestra multisensorial que reúne los platos imaginativos y sensuales servidos en las célebres cenas de Salvador Dalí y su esposa Gala.
Publicado originalmente en 1973, el libro contiene recetas clásicas de los grandes restaurantes parisinos como La Tour d'Argent y Maxim's, acompañadas de ilustraciones creadas especialmente por Dalí.
La obra incluye una sección dedicada a los afrodisíacos y las reflexiones extravagantes del artista sobre los temas tratados durante las cenas, fusionando el arte culinario con el surrealismo de una manera única e irrepetible.
#52934
The Things
Georges Parekh
#67706
The Journals Of Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson offer a comprehensive look into the mind and life of one of America's most influential thinkers.
Covering the years from 1820 to 1876, these journals contain Emerson's personal reflections, philosophical musings, and early drafts of ideas that would later appear in his essays and lectures.
They provide invaluable insight into the development of his key ideas on nature, self-reliance, and transcendentalism.
#11066
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Tonight in Jungle Land
The Making of Born to Run
Peter Ames Carlin
#11477
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
Kiran Desai
#81841
Diaghilev's Empire
Rupert Christiansen
Diaghilev's Empire is a detailed account of Sergei Diaghilev's life and his creation of the Ballets Russes, one of the most influential artistic enterprises of the twentieth century.
Published on the 150th anniversary of Diaghilev's birth, this work examines how Diaghilev and his company revolutionized ballet and captivated audiences worldwide through innovative choreography, design, and artistic vision.
#76500
The Pat Conroy cookbook
recipes and stories of my life
Pat Conroy
The Pat Conroy Cookbook is a unique blend of memoir and cookbook, where Pat Conroy shares the story of his life through food.
Each chapter features a personal story, often filled with drama, humor, and pathos, followed by recipes that reflect his Southern roots and culinary adventures around the world.
From childhood memories to travels in Paris and Rome, Conroy's passion for cooking and storytelling shines through in every page.
The book is as much about the people and places he encountered as it is about the food he loved.
#58280
Archie and the Strict Baptists
John Betjeman
‘Archie and the Strict Baptists’ is a poem by John Betjeman that exemplifies his characteristic style of combining light-hearted sociological observation with religious and nostalgic themes.
Betjeman, a prominent 20th-century English poet and broadcaster, often explored Anglicanism and social nuances in his work, and this poem fits within that tradition.
#19876
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Finishing the hat
Bill Nelson
Finishing the Hat provides readers with a unique opportunity to explore the creative world of Bill Nelson through his illustrations.
The book is a window into his artistic process and studio, giving admirers a chance to appreciate his work in depth.
It was published by Taylor Publishing Co. in 1987.
#45461
Entertaining is Fun!
Dorothy Draper
Originally published in 1941, Dorothy Draper's 'Entertaining is Fun!' extends her renowned decorating philosophy to the art of hosting and entertaining.
The book provides practical tips and advice on how to give friends and family a good time while enjoying the process of entertaining yourself.
It covers everything from dinner parties for family or friends to holiday meals and weekend guests, proving that living well never goes out of fashion.
#73557
Hallelujah! The Welcome Table
Maya Angelou
In 'Hallelujah!
The Welcome Table', Maya Angelou shares heartfelt memories and the recipes that shaped her life, from her childhood in Arkansas to her travels around the world.
The book features 28 essays and 73 recipes, blending stories of family, food, and resilience.
Angelou uses meals as a lens to reflect on her experiences, offering readers both inspiration and practical cooking tips.
#54589
Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
Janice Hallett
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels follows true-crime author Amanda Bailey as she investigates the story of a cult led by the charismatic Gabriel, who convinced his followers they were angels and that a baby was the Antichrist.
When the teenage mother, Holly, rescues the baby, the cult members commit suicide rather than face trial.
Eighteen years later, Amanda and her rival Oliver Menzies compete to find the now-grown baby and uncover the truth behind the case.
As they dig deeper, they discover that the story is far more complex and sinister than anyone imagined, with twists that challenge their understanding of memory, belief, and the nature of crime.
#26463
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Trip
Tao Lin
In 'Trip', Tao Lin delves into his experiences with psychedelics, including psilocybin and DMT, and explores how these substances influenced his life and perspective.
The book also examines the life of Terence McKenna, a prominent figure in the psychedelic movement.
#22529
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Toast
And Other Rusted Futures
Charles Stross
Toast: And Other Rusted Futures is a collection of science fiction short stories by Charles Stross, originally published between 1990 and 2000.
The book includes stories like 'A Colder War,' which explores the Cthulhu Mythos, and 'Lobsters,' which later became part of his novel Accelerando.
The collection offers a glimpse into Stross's early work, showcasing his speculative and futuristic themes.
#4683
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
The Bee Sting
Paul Murray
#7577
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
The Uncool
Cameron Crowe
#8585
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
A Marriage at Sea
Sophie Elmhirst
#17859
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Gales of November
John U. Bacon
#1327
• Mentioned in 24 episodes
The Thursday Murder Club
Richard Osman
The Thursday Murder Club follows four friends—Joyce, Elizabeth, Ibrahim, and Ron—living in the Coopers Chase retirement village.
They meet weekly in the Jigsaw Room to discuss unsolved crimes.
When a local developer, Ian Ventham, is found dead, the club becomes involved in their first live case.
As more bodies are discovered, the group works with the police, particularly PC Donna de Freitas and DCI Chris Hudson, to solve the murders.
The novel blends humor, wit, and suspense, highlighting the unique skills and backgrounds of the elderly sleuths, including Joyce's nursing experience, Elizabeth's mysterious past, Ibrahim's psychiatric expertise, and Ron's trade union leadership.
The story is told through a mix of Joyce's diary entries and third-person narratives, reflecting Osman's television production style.
#7685
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Perfection
Katie Kitamura
#6618
• Mentioned in 6 episodes
The Director
Daniel Kehlmann
#10612
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Playworld
Adam Ross
The holiday season is here, which means it’s the time to think of great gifts for everyone on your list. While it can feel like a daunting task to choose thoughtful, personalized presents, we’ve got a fix for you: books.
On this edition of The Sunday Special, Gilbert is joined by Joumana Khatib and Sadie Stein, editors at the Book Review, for a conversation about the best books to give your family and friends. Joumana and Sadie will share what excited them most this year and also provide recommendations for giftees in very specific categories.
Books mentioned in this episode:
“The Colony,” Annika Norlin
“Perfection,” Vincenzo Latronico
“Things: A Story of the 60s,” Georges Perec
“The Bee Sting,” Paul Murray
“The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny,” Kiran Desai
“The Director,” Daniel Kehlmann
“Playworld: A Novel,” Adam Ross
“A Marriage at Sea,” Sophie Elmhirst
“Entertaining is Fun!,” Dorothy Draper
“The Thursday Murder Club,” Richard Osman
“The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels,” Janice Hallett
“Roald Dahl’s Revolting Recipes,” Roald Dahl
“Mrs. Manders’ Cook Book,” Sarah Manders, edited by Rumer Godden
“Halleluja! The Welcome Table,” Maya Angelou
“The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes of My Life,” Pat Conroy
“Les diners de Gala,” Salvador Dalí
“Diaghilev’s Empire: How the Ballets Russes Enthralled the World,” Rupert Christiansen
“Finishing the Hat and Look I Made a Hat,” Stephen Sondheim
“Tonight in Jungleland: The Making of Born to Run,” Peter Ames Carlin
“The Uncool: A Memoir,” Cameron Crowe
“The Gales of November,” John U. Bacon
“The Journals of Ralph Waldo Emerson,” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Cats in Color,” Stevie Smith
“Archie and the Strict Baptists,” John Betjeman
“Stories 1,2,3,4,” Eugène Ionesco
“Trip: A Novel,” Amy Barrodale
On Today’s Episode:
Joumana Khatib is an editor at The New York Times Book Review.
Sadie Stein is an editor at The New York Times Book Review.
Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.