HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: Books to Read by the Fire

Holiday Gift Guide of Wonderful New Books for Women over 45

Book Title: Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the Song by Jo-Ann Geffen

Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Story Behind the Song is Famed Publisher’s 1st All Celebrity Release!

Book Highlights: Veteran Publicist, talent manager, and celebrity booker Jo-Ann Geffen collects reflections from such musical greats as Christina Aguilera, Melissa Etheridge, Paul Anka, Kanye West, and Richie Sambora to find out about the laughter and the tears behind your favorite songs.  Each of the tales is accompanied by a photo and the lyrics for the song that is discussed.

Chief Blogger’s Remarks:  I always wonder about these “Behind the Scene” stories. It’s almost voyeuristic!

Book Price:  Retail $14.95 ($10.17 on Amazon)

Secret Recipes for the Modern Wife

Book Title: Secret Recipes for the Modern Wife:  All the Dishes You’ll Need to Make from the Day You Say “I Do” Until Death (or Divorce) Do you Part By Nava Atlas

Secret Recipes for the Modern Wife– No wife will read this book without recognizing her life in these “recipes”!

Book Highlights:

Whether a new bride or an old hand at wedded less-than-bliss, every wife (or ex-wife) will savor this scrumptiously sardonic portrait of contemporary marriage.  Hilarious, thought-provoking, and cleverly designed, SECRET RECIPES FOR THE MODERN WIFE skewers today’s cultural norms with a collection of “recipes” that illustrate the subtle madness of matrimony.  Divided into four stages of marriage, the book irreverently pokes fun at the often ridiculous expectations that accompany “I do.”

Example Recipe from the Book:.

Happily-Ever-After Ambrosia

Serves to inspire hope in an age of cynicism

The stuff that makes living most delectable (choose as many as you’d like), including:

Shavings of fresh coconut

Harmony

Pineapple rings and candied fruit

Affection and mutual respect

Glistening cubes of ruby red gelatin

Security and support

Mint ice cream

Children that turn out well

Rich frosting and whipped cream toppings

Lasting love and happiness

Chocolate syrup (lots of it)

Before starting this recipe, recognize that even in an age when impossible standards of perfection coexist with a decline in marital rates (and successes), there must be some reason why most people aspire to be part of a couple.

While arranging delicious ingredients with lofty aspirations, pause to reflect on “for better or worse,” and decide that you prefer better. And observe that even those who have endured the most painful of breakups often try again, and sometimes yet again.

Realize that real life doesn’t always resemble a dessert buffet, filled with sensuous pleasures and emotional fulfillment. Still, it’s human nature to feel hopeful, and even though you know that “happily ever after” exists primarily in fairy tales, it may be possible to grab morsels of love and happiness from time to time.

Book Price: $12.00 ($9.60 on Amazon.com)

Grown-Up & Gorgeous in Your 40s, 50s and 60s (3 Volumes)

Book Title: Grown-Up & Gorgeous in Your ….(3 book Series)  by Pamela Robson..

Gorgeous at Any Age!

Book Highlights: A lively trio of entertaining guides for women in different stages of life, the Grown-Up & Gorgeous series rounds up the best health tips, stress relievers and words of inspiration. These vintage chic volumes remind on-the-go ladies of simple ways to enjoy life. Divas at different stages will find fun lists and bite-sized explanations about beauty, fashion, body, health and living well.

Chief Bloggers Remarks:  I found myself picking up these little volumes again and again, flipping through the beautiful illustrations, and reading random snippets!  Great gift to tuck in your friend’s bag.

Book Price:  Retail $15.95 (Amazon Price $12.44)

Staying in Tiptop Shape Requires Assessing Your Thyroid

The Women’s Guide to Thyroid Health  by Kathryn R. Simson, MS

Women over 45 should evaluate their Thyroid Health!
Book Highlights:
The Women’s Guide to Thyroid Health, explains how to develop and explore family health history, assess symptoms, and, along with their healthcare providers, create a personalized testing and treatment plan designed to restore healthy, balanced thyroid output.  This book takes the mystery out of interpreting test results, and is an easy to understand guide to options for hormone therapy medication, manage side effects and discover simple nutrition and lifestyle strategies that can keep you looking and feeling well.

Book Retail Price:  $21.95 ($14.93 on Amazon)

Nutrition at Your Fingertips, the latest book by leading national nutrition expert Elisa Zied, M.S., R.D., C.D.N.

The All-inclusive “Go-To” Guide That Answers All Your Nutrition and Health Questions in a Practical, No-Nonsense Way

Book Highlights:

• How to eat to beat diseases that may be preventable
• The functions of vitamins and minerals and where to get them
• The symptoms of a food allergy, intolerance and sensitivity
• How to burn more calories in less time
• How consuming more fiber can slim your waistline and how to get more of it
• Where all those extra calories in your diet lurk
• Whether you’re eating a portion or a serving
• How consuming super foods can increase weight loss
• How to indulge without going overboard
• How to balance your food and fitness choices to manage or lose weight

Book Retail Price:  $18.95 ($12.89 on Amazon)

Chief Bloggers remark:  This highly impressive book is by an equally impressive author.  If all of these organizations trust her advice, shouldn’t you? For 5 years, Elisa has been a national media spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, the nation’s largest professional organization that represents almost 70,000 nutrition professionals. Reporters and producers regularly seek out Elisa’s nutrition expertise and real-world approach to nutrition. She has appeared on CBS’s The Early Show, The Today Show, and on dozens of other national and local programs on CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, Food Network, Lifetime, and NY1.


Blogger Note:  Products in the Holiday Gift Guide  were provided for review purposes! Affliate links are included.

Other 2009 Holiday Gift Guides for Women over 45:

For the Manly Man