The holidays can provide a perfect opportunity to grab a quiet moment with a great book — while also providing a great opportunity to give a special book to someone you love.
Palm Beach offers an embarrassment of riches for book lovers from four distinct bookstores, each offering a selection of tomes that could be the perfect item to grab on your way out of town for the holiday, to give as a hostess gift or to wrap and place under the tree.
The Daily News asked the owners of each bookstore — Classic Bookshop, Palm Beach Book Store, Raptis Rare Books and Assouline — to share their picks for the best books to read or give this holiday season.
Classic Bookshop
Jeffrey Jacobus, owner of Classic Bookshop at 310 S. County Road, said there are many wonderful books out right now. “We have chosen four titles that can serve as gifts or just to take home and enjoy,” he said.
“Be Ready When the Luck Happens: A Memoir” by Ina Garten: Known for her hit Food Network shows and bestselling cookbooks, Garten provides a look into her early years and rise as a cultural icon. “Readers learn all about the fabulous cook, Ina Garten,” Jacobus said.
“American Heroes” by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann with Tim Malloy: A collection of firsthand accounts from members of the U.S. Armed Forces, helmed by a pair of Palm Beach writers in Patterson and Malloy. “This book introduces readers to some of America’s finest heroes who have fought for our country,” Jacobus said.
“Miracle on 34th Street” by Jeffrey Paul Thompson: For those who love the beloved Christmas movie, Thompson delivers a detailed account of its creation. The book “gives us a fascinating account into the making of a true Christmas classic,” Jacobus told the Daily News.
“National Gallery of Art: Collections”: This book includes 400 works from the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., including pieces from Edgar Degas, Dorothea Lange, Leonardo da Vinci, George O’Keeffe and Mark Rothko. The collection “shows us some of the most amazing art on display imaginable,” Jacobus said.
For more information, go to classicbookshop.com.
Palm Beach Book Store
Palm Beach Book Store owner Candice Cohen shared the following choices from her store at 215 Royal Poinciana Way.
Author Purnell provides fresh insight into the life of Churchill’s daughter-in-law, who was a major political player in her own right. “I so enjoyed Kingmaker and have suggested it to many of our customers,” Cohen said.
“David Hockney: Paper Trails”: This collection focuses on the famed British artist’s works on paper, spanning multiple techniques and adding to the already-popular catalogue of books of Hockney’s creations, including “David Hockney’s Dog Days” and “Hockney’s Pictures.” “A new book of David Hockney’s paintings is a treat,” Cohen said.
“Lost Time” by Jonathan Becker: This book of photographs created by the frequent “Vanity Fair” contributor and 20th century documentarian includes portraits of significant figures including King Charles III, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gloria Vanderbilt, Andy Warhol and Gore Vidal. Cohen said this new book of Jonathan Becker’s work “is a favorite of mine for gifting.”
“The Tiger Slam: The Inside Story of the Greatest Golf Ever Played” by Kevin Cook: As the first Black player to win a major golf championship, Tiger Woods became a cultural icon. Cook’s book, released Dec. 10, provides a look at Woods’ incredible record-breaking 1999 winning streak. “This book just arrived and I know it’s going to be one of the big gifts this season,” Cohen said.
For more information, go to thepalmbeachbookstore.com.
Raptis Rare Books
Matthew Raptis, proprietor of Raptis Rare Books, selected these books that are available at his store at 329 Worth Ave.
“A History of the English-Speaking Peoples” by Winston Churchill: This collection of four volumes “stands out for its masterful blend of vivid storytelling, historical insight, and national pride, offering a compelling narrative of the development of English-speaking societies from ancient times to the modern era,” Raptis said. “A compelling read and Churchill’s last great work, published between 1956 and 1958.”
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Considered Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, this 1925 novel tells the story of the enigmatic Jay Gatsby and his love of the beautiful Daisy. “An intricately patterned, vivid depiction of The Jazz Age, it remains a timeless literary classic and contender for the title ‘Great American Novel,'” Raptis said.
“To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee: This Pulitzer Prize winner is one of the most important novels of the 20th century, Raptis said. “The novel is still relevant today, as it addresses profound themes of racial injustice, morality, and the loss of innocence, compelling readers to reflect on the complexities of human behavior,” he added.
“The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger: Lead character Holden Caulfield experiences the range of teen emotions in this groundbreaking work from Salinger. The novel “captures the raw emotions of adolescence, exploring themes of identity, alienation, and the search for meaning, all through the voice of its uniquely relatable protagonist, Holden Caulfield,” Raptis said.
“Casino Royale” by Ian Fleming: The first novel in Fleming’s James Bond series — which would grow into a major cultural phenomenon and later be adapted three times for the screen — “introduced one of the world’s most famous fictional spies, James Bond, in a masterful blending of espionage, high-stakes gambling, and thrilling action,” Raptis said.
“The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien: This series remains a best-seller “for its richly developed world, timeless themes, and complex characters,” Raptis said. “It has inspired generations of readers.”
For more information, go to raptisrarebooks.com.
Assouline
Alex Assouline is chief of operations, brand and strategy for the publishing house that bears his family’s name and has a location in the Royal Poinciana Plaza at 340 Royal Poinciana Way. He selected five Assouline-published books.
“Federer” by Doris Henkel: “Roger Federer is a symbol of elegance, sportsmanship, and style, and it was such an honor for Assouline to create the first visual biography on the tennis legend,” Assouline said, adding that the publisher has a limited number of signed copies available for purchase.
“Wine & Travel Italy” by Enrico Bernardo: Assouline’s “Wine & Travel” series includes one other installment for France, and the newest book about Italy has become a favorite for Assouline to give as a gift, he said. “It offers the perfect blend of beautiful lifestyle imagery alongside helpful intel on the finest Italian vineyards and wines,” he said.
“James Bond Style” by Lindy Hemming and with an introduction by Dylan Jones: This volume provides a detailed look at the fashion from all 25 Bond films. “I love looking through this book to find style inspiration from the timeless fashion of each Bond, and the behind-the-scenes stories and images from the sets are a fun bonus,” Assouline said.
“Swans: Legends of the Jet Society” by Nicholas Foulkes: This look at the glamorous world of the “Swans” captures a bygone era, the publisher said. “Capturing the last vestiges of the jet set world of taste, culture, elegance and beauty, this book will be a beloved gift for anyone who appreciates the stories of the women who shaped an era,” Assouline said.
“Yachts: The Impossible Collection” by Miriam Cain: “What I love most about this book is its breathtaking and well curated photography,” Assouline said. “Each image is a stunning work of art, capturing the sleek lines, details and grandeur of these magnificent vessels.”
For more information, go to assouline.com.
Bonus: USA TODAY + Taylor Swift
USA TODAY, the flagship national paper of Daily News parent company Gannett, recently published “This Swift Beat,” a comprehensive look back at superstar music icon Taylor Swift’s groundbreaking Eras Tour.
Created with Pediment Publishing, “This Swift Beat” arrives by Christmas with an order from the Pediment website. The book is based on USA TODAY’s popular newsletter, and provides a front-row seat of the Eras Tour experience that is worthy of the biggest Swift fan.
The hardcover book sells for $44.95, plus tax and shipping.
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