Last Minute Christmas Gift Guide for Writers and Readers

Readers and writers can be tough to shop for, but don’t let them stump you. If you’ve put your holiday gift buying off until the last possible minute for someone who loves absorbing or creating literature, you can rely on our last-minute Christmas Gift Guide for Writers and Readers. Consult our list, then race to your local bookstore—or find a deal on overnight shipping—and get the language lovers in your life a gift that will leave them at a loss for words.

If you’re looking for a great deal, our bookstore has 30% off all titles when you use the code HOLIDAY14!

Sources of Great Inspiration

Prolific writers and voracious readers are practically insatiable. They need near-constant stimulation or they’ll wither into an intolerable state of outright boredom. Our fascinating coloring books, journals, and artwork collections can provide intellectual and emotional engagement for anyone who needs an extra nudge.

   

   

Knickerbocker Classics

Knickerbocker Classics are the ultimate collectible for anyone who needs a bookshelf brimming with beautiful, brilliant classics. Each in our Knickerbocker series contains original introductions and “further reading” recommendations, full cloth bindings, silk screened with a period design. ribbon marker. Our complete collections come in a beautifully designed slipcase.

   

   

Journals

The writers in your life will look positively profound scribbling in these journals, hunched over a cup of steaming hot beverage at the local coffee shop. Feed their articulate dreams by giving them one of these journals designed for on-the-go wordsmiths.

 

   

   

 

For more amazing last-minute holiday gifts (or anytime gifts, for that matter), shop Race Point Publishing and Rock Point Stationary and Gifts.

Alice’s Wonderland in the Washington Post

From the Washington Post: Michael Dirda’s picks for holiday gift books

“This irresistible volume showcases all the ways we have imagined and re-imagined “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” and its characters since that nonsense classic was first published almost 150 years ago. Famous images by John Tenniel and Peter Newellshare space with illustrations from every sort of Alice-inspired work: books, movies, cartoons, plays, record album covers, games, songs and clothes. Don’t miss the two steampunk Alices toward the end.”

More about Alice’s Wonderland: A Visual Journey through Lewis Carroll’s Mad, Mad World

Alice’s Wonderland dives down the rabbit hole and looks at the dazzling ways that Wonderland has been imagined by artists, filmmakers, writers, and more. Get a behind-the-scenes looks at how the books were created, meet Alice Liddell, the inspiration for the fictional Alice, and view the original manuscript copy of Alice in Wonderland, illustrated in Carroll’s own hand.

The fantastical world imagined by Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) – where a white rabbit carries a pocket watch, a crying baby morphs into a squealing pig, and a flamingo is used as a croquet mallet – has inspired countless artists to produce some of their best work. Illustrators such as John Tenniel, chose to tackle the work directly, producing illustrations, films, and shows that strive to accurately depict Wonderland. Others, such as artist Salvador Dali and director Tim Burton, freely adapted Dodgson’s creation, using it as a springboard for their own incredible interpretations. Lushly illustrated paintings, artwork, and sketches, Alice’s Wonderland explores how artists in different fields like art, music, theater, film, and more have interpreted Carroll’s works through the ages. A must-have book for any Alice fan.

Review of Alice’s Wonderland A Visual Journey through Lewis Carroll’s Mad, Mad World

“I have a confession to make, when I get a book like this, I always have to look at all of the pictures before I read it. These pictures are stunning! While I was leafing through it I ran across a picture of a theatrical performance. It took me a moment to realize that the girl playing Alice, was a very young Meryl Streep. I read the caption and sure enough, it was her! It was from ‘Alice in Concert’, 1980/81. I was in high school back then.

I am willing to guess that this book has the most coverage of everything ‘Alice In Wonderland’ available! It is a must for any “Alice In Wonderland’ fan or for a collector of ‘Alice In Wonderland’ memorabilia! It would make the perfect gift!” — Teddy (Amazon Review) 

Alice in Wonderland: A Visual Journey through Lewis Carroll’s Mad, Mad World

Race Point Titles Featured In Campus Circle Gift Guide

L.A.’s famous “Campus Circle” blog has been serving the area since 1990. This week, they featured several of our titles in their Holiday Gift Guide: Book Edition 2014. The folks at Campus Circle have gracefully added “Alice’s Wonderland,” “U2: Revolution” and “The Ultimate Woody Allen Film Compilation” as part of their book gift guide.

About U2: Revolution:

They’ve frequently been described as the biggest band in the world. The Joshua Treealone has sold more than fifteen million copies worldwide. They hold the record for the most Grammy wins by a rock act. And their 360 tour, which started in 2009, attracted more than seven million fans and is one of the highest-grossing tours of all time. U2 has revolutionized the definition of rock band by staying true to its beliefs and passions, through meteoric success, public controversy, and an astounding forty-year working relationship.

Now for the first time, get the complete photographic history of one of the world’s most influential and legendary rock bands. Mat Snow’s U2: Revolution is lushly illustrated with over two hundred photos and two gatefold timelines exploring the band’s incredible history. Starting with their roots in Dublin where the four teenaged friends first started playing together in Larry Mullen’s kitchen, Snow follows the band through their debut album, Boy, their chart-topping albums of the 1980s, their record-breaking tours and global activism of the 1990s, and their reflective reconnection with core fans in the twenty-first century.

About Alice’s Wonderland:

Alice’s Wonderland dives down the rabbit hole and looks at the dazzling ways that Wonderland has been imagined by artists, filmmakers, writers, and more. Get a behind-the-scenes looks at how the books were created, meet Alice Liddell, the inspiration for the fictional Alice, and view the original manuscript copy of Alice in Wonderland, illustrated in Carroll’s own hand.

The fantastical world imagined by Charles Dodgson (aka Lewis Carroll) – where a white rabbit carries a pocket watch, a crying baby morphs into a squealing pig, and a flamingo is used as a croquet mallet – has inspired countless artists to produce some of their best work. Illustrators such as John Tenniel, chose to tackle the work directly, producing illustrations, films, and shows that strive to accurately depict Wonderland. Others, such as artist Salvador Dali and director Tim Burton, freely adapted Dodgson’s creation, using it as a springboard for their own incredible interpretations. Lushly illustrated paintings, artwork, and sketches, Alice’s Wonderland explores how artists in different fields like art, music, theater, film, and more have interpreted Carroll’s works through the ages. A must-have book for any Alice fan.

About The Ultimate Woody Allen Film Compilation:

A complete look at the extensive, ageless, unparalleled filmography of Woody Allen. Writer, actor, director, comedian, author, and musician, Woody Allen is one of the most culturally and cinematically influential filmmakers of all time. His films – he has over 45 writing and directing credits to his name – range from slapstick to tragedy, farce to fantasy. As one of history’s most prolific moviemakers, his style and comic sensibility have been imitated, but never replicated, by countless other filmmakers over the years.

InThe Ultimate Woody Allen Film Companion, film writer Jason Bailey profiles every one of Allen’s films: from his debut feature, What’s Up, Tiger Lily, through slapstick classics such as Take the Money and Run and Sleeper; Academy Award-winning films such asAnnie Hall and Hannah and Her Sisters; and recent gems such as Midnight in Paris andBlue Jasmine. Bailey also includes essays on the fascinating themes that color Allen’s works, from death and Freud to music and New York City. Getting up close and personal with the actors and actresses that have brought the iconic films to life, this book’s behind-the-scenes stories span the entire career of a man whose catalog has grown into a timeless cornerstone of American pop culture. Complete with full cast lists, production details, and full-color images and artwork, The Ultimate Woody Allen Film Companion is the ultimate, indispensable reference to one of cinema’s most beloved and important figures.

Color Me Calm: 100 Coloring Templates for Meditation and Relaxation

Our lives become busier with each passing day, and as technology escalates, so does our access to work, obligations, and stress. Constant stimulation and expectation have left us burnt out and distanced from the present moment. “Now” has become something that happens online, not in the space and time that we physically occupy. Color Me Calm is a guided coloring book designed for harried adults. Art therapist Lucy Mucklow and artist Angela Porter offer up 100 coloring templates all designed to help you get coloring and get relaxed. Organized into seven therapeutically-themed chapters including Mandalas, Water Scenes, Wooded Scenes, Geometric Patterns, Flora & Fauna, Natural Patterns, and Spirituality – the book examines the benefits of putting pencil to paper and offers adults an opportunity to channel their anxiety into satisfying, creative accomplishment. Color Me Calm is the perfect way step back from the stress of everyday life, color, and relax!

Merci, Madam, for the Lesson in French

Dear Madam Joie,

Merci beaucoup for being such a boring teacher.

Truly, Madam Joie, my dearest and most sincere thanks to you for being the dullest teacher I had in high school.

I enrolled for your class as a freshman with dreams of walking the streets of Paris, speaking sophisticated, flawless French with my gorgeous French lovers, riding bicyclettes and eating French fromage et baguettes. You crushed those dreams with your endless droning and odd, strangely-conjugated tangents that bored even the most passionate French scholar to tears. Gone was every drop of romance from this romance language. Gone was the grace, the majesty of the l’accent aigu and l’accent grave.

I don’t know if you were having personal problems the year I sat in your French class. Maybe your dog died. Maybe you were battling an addiction. Frankly, it would explain a lot. If so, I am sorry for your trouble during that time.

The good news is that I met someone in your class and your inept teaching helped deepen our budding relationship. My desk neighbor, my partner in boredom, Ben (remember him?), sat right beside me and kept me company. Instead of mastering the French language, we mastered the meaningful sidelong glance and became incredibly proficient at passing secret notes. Ben made me laugh and somehow we got each other through the fifty minutes of torture that you attempted to inflict on us.

So thank you, Madam Joie, teacher of French 101. I write to you on my wedding day. Because of you and all your shortcomings, I met the love of my life.

Merci.

Sincerely,

-T.

Thank You cards for every occasion… “So Many Ways To Say Thank You” Cards:

This set of 15 beautifully hand lettered thank you cards provide a unique way the send a thank you note to someone special. Featuring three cards each of Merci (French), Thank You (English), Danke (German), Grazie (Italian), and Gracias (Spanish).

A Steampunk Halloween — DIY Steampunk Your Top Hat

How steampunk will you be this Halloween? Go over-the-top with this DIY Steampunk Top Hat Tutorial from Anatomy of Steampunk. It doesn’t take much to transform a plain old top hat into a steampunk style top hat, except a few clock gears and some steampunk goggles.

The first step is to procure an ordinary top hat. Luckily, in the time close to Halloween, there is a plethora of top hats available for purchase. The second step is to gather steampunk materials for your top hat accessorizing.

Steampunk Top Hat Accessories List:
– Top hat
– Small clock face
– Clock hands
– Craft glue
– Pocket watch face
– Various clock gears
– Steampunk goggles

 

 

DIY Instructions:

Step 1: Glue the clock face and clock hands on the side of the top hat under the band.

Step 2: Glue the pocket watch face on the front along with small clock gears.

Step 3: Place goggles on the top hat.

Arrange the pocket watch face and small clock gears in whatever way you feel looks best. The steampunk skies are endless when it comes to the decoration of your Steampunk Top Hat.

About Anatomy of Steampunk: 

From formal outfits to costumes crafted for the stage, from ensembles suited to adventure to casual street styles, steampunk fashion has come to encompass quite a few different looks. But what exactly is steampunk?

Originally conceived as a literary genre, the term ‘steampunk’ described stories set in a steam-powered, science fiction-infused, Victorian London. Today steampunk has grown to become an aesthetic that fuels many varied art forms. Steampunk has also widened its cultural scope. Many steampunk practitioners, rather than confining their vision to one European city, imagine steam-driven societies all over the world.

Today the vibrance of steampunk inspires a wide range of individuals, including designers of high fashion, home sewers, crafters, and ordinary folks who just want to have fun.

 

The Best DIY Knit Pet Costumes for Halloween

Knit your own super adorable pet costumes this Halloween! You can have a DIY Halloween that makes your fluffy friend the most stylish on the block. Whether your pet goes out trick-or-treating or stays at home to hand out candy (or just hides under the bed until the whole thing is over), he or she will feel toasty warm and look fabulous in these costumes.

Classic Halloween costumes like superhero capes and bumblebee costumes aren’t just for the kids! Dress your pets up in fun costumes and get them involved in Halloween fun too.

Why not make your pet their own Halloween costume! In Outrageously Adorable Pet Knits, you will find several incredibly cute costumes to make yourself.

Remember, costumes aren’t just for the dogs! Cats need a little knit-love too. If a bumblebee costume isn’t quite right for your feline friend, maybe they would prefer a nice sweater? Find inspiration from the 2015 Cats in Sweaters calendar.

This handsome fella is ready to impress the ladies in his specialty sweater. Wouldn’t you love for your cat to be as suave as this gentleman?

What is the best Halloween costume for your pet? Is your pup more of a superhero or a Shakespeare re-enactor? If the later fits your pets personality better, maybe an Elizabethan Ruff is the perfect costume.

And if your dog is a not quite frou-frou enough for this fluffy collar, try out the scrappier superhero cape and matching wristbands. Easy to make and just the right impression for canine trick or treating!

Check out the directions below from Outrageously Adorable Dog Knits:

Teach yourself to knit super cute outfits for your pups and enjoy the hilarity of Cats in Sweaters all year. Both Outrageously Adorable Dog Knits and the 2015 Cats in Sweaters calendar are available today!

Order 2015 Cats in Sweaters calendar today.

Cats in sweaters. Is there anything cuter in the world? Both cat lovers and crafting enthusiasts will enjoy this 16-month calendar for 2015. Filled with some of the most entertaining feline photographs, this calendar shows us why cats are often considered the most beautiful and enjoyable animals to have as pets. Whether it’s January or July, these cats flaunt their tiny sweaters for your personal delight, brightening up your month with those cute eyes.

Order Outrageously Adorable Dog Knit: 25 Must-Have Styles for the Pampered Pooch today!

Dogs can’t knit. But they sure can wear it well.

Could your Chinese crested powder puff rock a vintage ruffled bonnet? Does your pug pine for a fabulous ten-gallon cowboy hat? Or perhaps your bulldog hopes to cast off his thuggish street cred with a preppy letterman sweater?

Featuring more than 25 super-cute knitting patterns and embellishments, Outrageously Adorable Dog Knits is a fun and simple way to swathe your four-legged friend in the very best of handmade finery!

With clearly explained step-by-step instructions and inspiringly hilarious photographs, this unique book provides adorable knitting projects and how-to advice for novice knitters and precocious purlers alike. So whether you wish to adorn your canine fashionista with a stylish beret, toasty legwarmers, adorable rabbit ears, or a cozy sweater for crisp winter nights, Outrageously Adorable Dog Knits is the perfect book for you.

Cats in Sweaters, 2015 Calendar

YOU win!

catsandjokes:

2015 is going to be a great year. I feel it.

Cats in Sweaters. Shhh. He’s Reading.

We’re officially obsessed with CATS IN SWEATERS.

This one is via Flickr by Found Animals Foundation. Our 2015 Cats in Sweaters Calendar is HERE!