Books make great gifts

Frank McCourt says 'Books make great gifts because after you make love you can reach for one, it's always there.' Ahem.

And Elmo says that books are the only gifts that keep on giving. I can relate to that. I have a copy of Robinson Crusoe which I won as a prize in school when I was 7 or 8 years old, which is somewhat battle-worn from entertaining scores of young people who have come to my family home in Johor, and which is still exciting any young person who comes by. Thats fifty years of entertainment for half the price of coffee at one of those swanky places these days!

A new online advertising campaign that aims at getting people to give books this holiday season says just that, Books Are Great Gifts, repeatedly. In a video produced by Random House features several authors (if you didn't know what they looked like, here is your chance) explaining why books make great holiday presents. You can watch the video at the BooksAreGreatGifts website, or right here (below).

"There is a book for every special person in your life. An adventure, a romance, a mystery, a comedy. Wish it, and it will come true within the pages of a book. Share the love of books with your friends and loved ones throughout the entire year! Explore our videos and other resources to learn more about giving the gift of a good book," says the site.

Worried about a serious dip in holiday sales that could be devastating to bookstores. The Authors Guild has sent a message from the president Roy Blount, Jr. to its members urging them and their friends to organize book-buying splurges. Blount suggests that customers make the rest of their holiday purchases books. Readers could also stock up on books to give as gifts later in the year, he says. "Hold off on the flat-screen TV and the GPS (they'll be cheaper after Christmas) and buy many, many books," Blount urges.

As Jon Lithgow concludes (in the video), give your friends a whole new world between two covers.

Publishers Weekly