The Warwick's Staff's Favorite Handsells

It’s the Holiday Season and the question most heard around the store start with “I’m looking for a gift for…”. We all buy gifts for people during this time; whether it’s for a child, spouse, significant other, father, friend, or co-worker we tend to spend the majority of December rushing about trying to find that perfect gift. The Warwick’s Staff is no stranger to this gift giving frenzy, on top of purchasing our own gifts; we spend most of our days recommending gift purchases for others. So, in an effort to assist our blog readers, and to just get a generally great list of books out, we have configured a list of our top books to handsell l this holiday season.

Jan, Children’s Book Buyer:
If All the Animals Came Inside by Eric Pinder (a fun, laugh out loud picture book for the 2-4 year old group.)
The Lost Treasure of Tuckernuck by Emily Fairlie (two kids team up to use their wits to discover a treasure hidden in their school. Ages 9+)
Secret Letters by Leah Sheier (a young girl believes she’s the daughter of Sherlock Holmes and finds she is suddenly a detective herself. Ages 12+)

MaryLee, Bookseller:
The Barefoot Contessa Foolproof by Ina Garten (I wasn’t a fan before, but made 10 dishes from this book for a dinner party and they were all a huge success.)
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter (appeals to all ages—charming, with a bit of edge, feel good ending sire to please!)

Janet, Bookseller:
Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver (a beautifully written and heart-warming story of a girl searching for more than what life has dealt her.)
Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan (read Sweet Tooth and savor the sweet twist! Brilliant)
Hello Goodbye Hello by Craig Brown (clever, entertaining, and very interesting tidbits about the famous and infamous of past and present. The perfect gift idea!)
Edge of Nowhere by Elizabeth George (this edge of your seat mystery will keep you reading late into the night. Not just for teens.)
Artists in Love by Veronica Kavass (this is tops on my personal Christmas list. A fabulous collection of artists and their muses.)

Samantha S., Bookseller:
The John Lennon Letters (a collection of almost 300 letters and postcards, this book is perfect for the Beatles fan in your life.)
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker (set in suburban San Diego, this debut novel follows the life of a young girl and her family as the rotation of the earth slows down. Very well-written, this is a great cross-over novel.)
A Partial History of Lost Causes by Jennifer Dubois (this historical fiction novel, set both in New York in 2006 and Russia during the 1980’s, is unique and artfully written.)

Barbara, Bookseller:
Defending Jacob by William Landry (the best mystery I've read this year.)
The Round House by Louise Erdrich (winner of the National Book Award for Fiction)
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton (this author is amazing, any of her books would serve well as a gift for fiction lovers)
The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

Alexa, Bookseller:
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman (a sweet read)

Julie, Director of Events and Community Relations:
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (hands down my favorite book of 2012)
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce (story of friendship & redemption)

Heather, Marketing Coordinator:
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton (great cross-generation fiction)
Wonder by R.J. Palacio (for kids or adults)
Movie Box by Paolo Mereghetti (a great pictorial look at film, perfect for the movie fan in your life)
Sister by Rosamund Lupton (perfect fit for fans of Gillian Flynn and Tana French)

Margie, Office Supplies:
Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith (fascinating and well-written biography)
Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Positive: 101 Inspirational Stories about Changing Your Life Through Positive Thinking by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hanse, Amy Newmark (inspiring and heartfelt)


Samantha G, Bookseller:
The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling ( great for book clubs and Rowling fans)
Where'd You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple (great for someone who wants a funny story with an element of mystery)
Mrs Queen Takes the Train by William Kuhn (a feel-good book perfect for Anglophiles or anyone looking for an adventure)
Broken Harbor by Tana French (great for mystery lovers looking for something more than the typical mass market spy thriller)
The Innocents by Lili Peloquin (perfect for the teen who loves Pretty Little Liars, probably going to be a very popular series)
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer (great for middle readers who like adventure stories and a great way to introduce children to classic fairy tales)