Wine, flowers, and a book?

On the rare occasion in which I am invited to dinner, I always take a bottle of wine. Sometimes flowers. (I've read that you should never take flowers as it creates more work for the host. I disagree. I love to get flowers. And really, how hard is it to fill a vase with water and plop 'em in?)

As much as I like wine, I like to shake routine.  And so, I've been giving books! 

I enjoy the process of considering my favorite books and then matching those to what I think my host may enjoy — Do I choose funny? thoughtful? irreverent? mainstream? I'm not sure I hit the mark — or that my hosts wouldn't rather have wine — but it's fun to try. 

A few of my favorite hostess book-gifts are: 

• How Not to Act Old by Pamela Redmond Satran

• Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner

• Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott

• Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese

I'd like to expand my offerings (I once took my own book, a painting/poetry collaboration, but that felt self-promoting and weird). What books do you suggest? If I was invited to your home for dinner, what book would you like me to bring? 

Comments

[Eliza]

Fun, Drew! And a lovely idea.

You have some bold choices there.

For gifts, I thought of...

Akiane: Her Life, Her Art, Her Poetry by Akiane Kramarik

Firstlight: The Early Inspirational Writings of Sue Monk Kidd

Evidence by Mary Oliver

Good Poems compiled by Garrison Keilor

A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table by Molly Wizenberg

Garlic and Sapphires: The Secret Life of a Critic in Disguise by Ruth Reichl

I would feel like a bit of a traitor if I didn't mention:

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
His books are therapy to me.

And if it is a family with children there are oodles of outstanding picture books that are a treat for all ages.

[drew]

Eliza,
Thanks for the great suggestions. I especially like the Ruth Reichl books. She is a great writer and food critic, and what better gift to bring to dinner. Thanks!