Last Minute Gift Ideas: Most Overlooked Books of 2011

(Don't you just love this book tree?)

Need ideas for last minute gifts?  Check out NPR's list of the Most Overlooked Books of 2011.  If you have 13+ minutes to spare, listen to the podcast rather than read the article as you really get a sense of how the guest editors and bloggers feel about the books they're nominating.

There are quite a few excellent suggestions ranging from novels, memoirs, non-fiction, graphic novels to young adult.  Much to my surprise, Rick Yancy's Monstrumologist series is hailed as better than Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.  Those are some mighty big shoes to fill.

Earlier this year Yancy's award winning series was dropped by Simon & Schuster, but later given the green light due to overwhelming fan complaints.  The third book in the series, The Isle of Blood, was published this year and is considered the best thus far.

Here's the NPR link with free samples of the books.

I'm definitely getting The Monstrumologist by Rick Yancy.  I simply can't resist the comparison to Harry and Katniss.

Incognito by David Eagleman sounds amazing and I'm such a nerd when it comes to books like this.

World Enough and Time: on Creativity and Slowing Down by Christian McEwan.  Time for me to slow down and get centered.

I love reading new authors and discovering gems. Do you think you'll give any of these books a try?  If so, which ones?

Happy Holidays, everyone!