Your Gift-Giving Strategy

The Orchid Thief is a non-fiction book by Susan Orlean that delves into the world of orchid collecting. The story centers around John Laroche, a charismatic plant dealer who was arrested in 1994 for stealing ghost orchids from the Fakahatchee Strand State Preserve in Florida. Orlean's investigation leads her into a fascinating subculture of orchid enthusiasts, including aristocrats, fanatics, and smugglers. The book explores the history of orchid collecting, the legal and environmental implications of Laroche's actions, and the author's own encounters with various figures in the orchid world. It is a tale of obsession, passion, and the sometimes dark and humorous aspects of human fixation.

This book is a monumental biography of Robert Moses, who was the single most powerful man in New York City and State during his time. It explores how Moses accumulated and wielded power, shaping the city through his public works projects, including highways, bridges, and parks. The book delves into Moses's early life, his idealistic beginnings, and his transformation into a powerful figure who dominated New York's politics without ever being elected. It also highlights the social and environmental impacts of his projects and his eventual fall from power. The biography is renowned for its detailed and nuanced portrayal of power dynamics in urban politics.

Twilight Eyes follows Slim Mackenzie, a 17-year-old on the run after killing his uncle, who possesses 'twilight eyes' that allow him to see evil beings called Goblins. Slim joins the Sombra Carnival and becomes embroiled in a plot to prevent a catastrophic event involving the carnival and a town infested with Goblins. The novel is divided into two parts, with the first half set in the carnival and the second half focusing on Slim and his allies investigating and battling the Goblins.