Tower VIP picks for every bibliophile

By Laura Wright - December 2008

Still stuck on what to buy your friend or family member this holiday season - or maybe just want to reward yourself with something special at the end of the year? A book may be the best bet. Books are portable, do not require batteries or assembly, and can last a long time if taken care of, left to be rediscovered again and again.

Picking out a book does involve a bit of thought, however. Different people like different kinds of books, so it can be challenging to select one title out of hundreds of genres, especially if you are shopping for a casual friend or acquaintance. To get you started on your shopping, here is what Amazon.com has ranked its biggest customer bestsellers of 2008.

1. "Breaking Dawn" by Stephenie Meyer
2. "The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch
3. "Brisingr" by Christopher Paolini
4. "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle: A Novel" by David Wroblewski
5. "The Tales of Beedle the Bard" by J.K. Rowling
6. "The Appeal" by John Grisham
7. "When You Are Engulfed in Flames" by David Sedaris
8. "In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto" by Michael Pollan
9. "The Revolution: A Manifesto" by Ron Paul
10. "The Host: A Novel" by Stephenie Meyer

To supplement Amazon's Top 10 bestseller list, we have asked some VIPs here at Tower Publications what they consider their top book picks.

Charlie Delatorre
President & Publisher
Marley & Me by John Grogan
Ahh, dogs - gotta love them! This book takes you through the wild adventures of a newly married couple and their first child, a crazy, lovable, destructive Labrador retriever named Marley. So much of this book seemed like it came right out of my life, as my wife and I brought a Labrador mix into our lives when we were first married. This book is a great story of how attached we can become to the pets in our lives and how they find a way into our hearts forever. The perfect book for the dog lover!

Bonita Delatorre
Contributing Editor
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
This is the story of two girls who are paired for a lifetime friendship in 19th century China. It gives an insightful look into what life was like for these women, dealing with foot-binding, arranged marriages and isolation. Reading this book will make you want to call every girlfriend you've ever had and thank them for being there for you!

Larkin Kieffer
Account Executive
Evidence of Things Unseen by Marianne Wiggins
Instead of a summary of this love story, I'd like to share that the setting of the story is very detailed for historical accuracy from the 1920s through the 1940s, making me feel like I walked a mile in the protagonist's shoes, and even felt the pebbles on the road he traveled. It is a tragic story with many uplifting moments that forces you to question the path your own life has taken, whether by design or outside forces.

Albert Isaac
Editor-in-Chief
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
This book was recommended to me by a fellow writer, and once I started reading I didn't want to put it down. Part memoir, part textbook it kept me turning the pages. King describes his early years as a budding writer, his eventual successes and the tragic accident that nearly ended his life. It provides a fascinating insight into the mind of King (he really is a regular family guy), as well as a guide for aspiring writers. This book is inspirational, and even before I was finished reading I got right to work on my second novel. If you've always wondered what led King to become a writer and how he came to be the success he is today, this will answer those questions.

Laura Wright
Editorial Assistant
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
This classic novel deservingly won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. I remember being forced to read it in my ninth grade English class and eventually falling in love with every word and every character. It tells the coming-of-age story of Scout Finch, a young girl growing up in the racially torn Depression-era South, along with her brother, Jem, and their attorney father, Atticus. It covers a span of three years, punctuated by the arrest and trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman. It is one of the few books I've read that not only moved me, but also made me laugh. I think everyone should read this book at least once, simply for what it can teach us about tolerance, justice and standing up for what's right.

Amanda Chatt
Account Executive
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
I really enjoyed reading this book in high school - it's one of my favorites. It's about a man named Gene who is looking back on his last year at Devon School, a prep school for boys during World War II. I really liked all the twists and turns in the plot.

If all else fails, book clubs are a good way to discover new titles and share your favorites with others. The Hawthorne Branch Library, 6640 SE 221st St., holds an informal reading circle on the first and third Monday of every month from 11 a.m. to noon. The Pink Porch Bookstore, 14720 Main Street in the city of Alachua, has quarterly book club dinner meetings featuring local authors. In Ocala, the Books-A-Million at 2701 SW College Road holds a book club on the last Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. Check your local library or bookstore for a listing of ongoing book discussions in your area. §

Laura Wright is a writer and editorial assistant. She may be contacted at laura@towerpublications.com.