Making a List, Help Me Check It Twice

I want to give my family ideas for Christmas* gifts (actually, I'm carefully planting the seed in Julien's ear), and BOOKS are in position number one.  Does anyone have a Must Read to recommend?  I am usually a genre reader--fantasy, especially epic--but I'm willing--nay, wanting--to read other things.

So, can anyone help a reader out in time for the holidays?


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* Before you pelt me with Halloween candy and declare it is too early to think about Christmas, remember that I'm in France and since any books for me will need to be ordered online from English speaking sellers, my in-laws need more time.

I wonder if Mr Gaiman would be impressed

Speaking of books, and thereby, in a slanted way, authors, I remembered a dream I had last night.

I needed a haircut, and Neil Gaiman was standing there with a pair of scissors, tapping them against one palm much like one might do with a baseball bat.

I ran my hand through my hair, wondering if I trusted him to cut it.

Then I said, "Of course you do, silly; what else does he do besides cut hair? He's a hair stylist, isn't he?" But a "something isn't right here" thought niggled at me all the while.

And then the dream moved on and I have no idea if I came away well-coiffed or not...

Seven Small Steps for Soëlie; One Giant Leap Toward New Adventures

Milestones? I got your milestone, Mommy!

Two days ago, Soëlie started letting go of walls and furniture to brave the world Without A Handhold.  After two steps, though, she'd either fall or lose confidence and crouch down to crawl.

Today, she decided she could do more.

With a tiny tin cup plastered to her mouth in drink position--I don't know how she could see, and maybe she couldn't and that was what gave her confidence to just keep walking--she took about ten steps from the kitchen counter towards where I sat at the dining table.  By the time I grabbed my camera, turned it on, and started dialing up the ISOs, she had already sat down.

I praised her and cuddled her for a little while and then got my settings right on the camera.  I put her back by the cabinets, and she rewarded me with seven more tottering steps. I know there were seven because I have the video to prove it!  First steps unassisted: 12 months. Hooray!  Tomorrow I have to try to get the video online for her proud papa. Too bad he is working in Paris at the mo and missed this momentous moment.