Holiday Gift Guide: 10 Beautiful Books

GLAMOUR DOGS by Catherine Ledner

Gisele, Heidi, and Naomi have nothing on these fabulous four-legged models, including poodles, bulldogs, and Chihuahuas. Photographer Ledner captures hammy pups at their finest in this unabashedly fun photo book.

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FIELD GUIDE TO CANDY by Anita Chu

This pocket-sized book looks good enough to eat, but to avoid a stomachache, just flip the pages for some tasty content instead — like recipes for peanut butter cups, salt-water taffy and more. A word of advice: Make sure to schedule that post-holiday dentist appointment.

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THE BOOK OF GENESIS ILLUSTRATED BY R. CRUMB by R. Crumb

In the beginning, there was the first book of the Bible. Now, there's Crumb's illustrated version of the book of Genesis, complete with artistic renderings of all 50 chapters included in the original. We looked at what R. Crumb has done, and saw that it was good.

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WHY ITALIANS LOVE TO TALK ABOUT FOOD by Elena Kostioukovitch, Anne Milano Appel, Umberto Eco, and Carol Field

Let's face it: Your loved ones have had enough gingerbread and cranberry sauce to last them until 2010's holiday season. So pick up this mouth-watering narrative to read about a cuisine that's rarely associated with the holidays — Italian food. Complete with illustrations, menus, and maps of Italy, this mouth-watering book will appeal to your loved one's inner foodie. Or encourage him/her to make you one hearty meal as a thank you.

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MAGIC, 1400s-1950s edited by Noel Daniel

Last year, publisher Taschen brought us an illustrated history of the greatest show on Earth with Circus: 1870-1950. Now they've released this dense 650-page book, which dissects over 500 years of magic culture. If you've got a friend who's into prestidigitation on your list, pick up this book — which includes over 1,000 posters, photographs, and handbills — and Presto!, your shopping is done.

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SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: THE FOOTBALL BOOK by the Editors of Sports Illustrated

Score a touchdown with sports-minded pals by gifting them this expanded version of the magazine's 2005 Football Book. Any superfan is sure to devour this beefy book, featuring 320 pages of photos and prose about all things gridiron, from great players to classic games. Just don't use it as a coaster come Super Sunday.

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THE HEART OF THE GREAT ALONE: SCOTT, SHACKLETON, AND ANTARCTIC PHOTOGRAPHY by David Hempleman-Adams, Emma Stuart, and Sophie Gordon

You think it's cold where you live? Check out these chillingly beautiful snapshots taken by two early 20th century photographers who joined the famous Antarctic expeditions led by Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton. It's a gift that's just, well, very cool. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

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THE LITTLE PRINCE POP-UP by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

One big merci goes to HMH Books, who brings us this breathtaking pop-up version of Saint-Exupery's classic children's tale. What can we say? We're over the moon about it.

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THE COMPLETE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: EVERY ISSUE SINCE 1888

For the hoarder/nature-photography enthusiast in your life, this gift will free them from clutter and provide them with lots more bookshelf space. The boxed set includes every single issue of the magazine ever released — on 6 DVD-ROMs, plus a bonus trivia game and even photography tips for budding photojournalists.

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THE ART OF CORRESPONDENCE by Florence Isaacs

The holidays are a time of giving. Consequently, the holidays are also a time of sending thank-you notes. Make sure your giftees get the hint by stuffing their stockings with Isaac's letter-writing etiquette book, which comes with 12 note cards, 12 correspondence cards, and 8 sheets of sticker seals for those well-crafted notes.

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