Book discussion groups are one of the great developments that have come out of the newly revised interest in books, reading and all things erudite. Whether you credit Oprah, the good economy or the general nesting trend, reading, and talking about what you have read, is more popular than ever. Book groups give friends a chance to get together and talk about the book, analyze the characters’ motivations, dissect the plot and study the symbolism. Or then again, to just get together and talk.
Building a gift around a book is easy, especially if you have a book with such colorful characters as Guinevere, Lancelot and Merlin in The Once and Future King; classic noir detective Philip Marlow in The Big Sleep; Gone With the Wind’s Scarlett, Rhett and Miss Pittypat; or Daisy in The Great Gatsby.
Alice in Wonderland, Anne of Green Gables, a Nancy Drew or a Harry Potter book lend themselves perfectly for a children’s birthday gift. Attach a queen of hearts playing card to the Alice in Wonderland gift basket; package the Harry Potter gift in a wizard’s hat, for instance. Along the same lines, a nice book of fairly tales and other childhood classics makes a wonderful gift for the mother-to-be.
If your friend is a voracious reader of many genres with no particular favorite, start with a nice sturdy book bag. Place in it a couple of paperbacks by his or her favorite author. Then add several packages of gourmet hot cocoa mix, perhaps with a big mug to enjoy it in.
Next think about what you like to snack on while you’re engrossed in a great book. Maybe it’s a nice crisp apple, cheese crackers, date nut bread or popcorn. Or maybe you think he or she would prefer a box or two of caramel corn and maybe a candy bar or two.
If time allows, make a homemade treat, such as shortbread or banana nut bread.
Whatever it is, embellish the food with a simple ribbon. Or make copies of a book cover and wrap a small box in it; package your goodies inside it.
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