Mother’s Day Gift Ideas: Books and Bamboo Frames

Flowers? Check. Brunch reservations? Check. Gift for mom? Still thinking.

Well, you can now put down your thinking cap. Give mom gifts (yes, it’s plural) that keeps on giving – time for herself spent reading her new favorite books. Three books and a fashionable reader is just what the gift fairy has in-store for you.

The “Sugar Cane” reader by eyebobs is fun without being loud. It’s on trend without being trendy.

And best of all, it is made of bamboo, a renewable material that matures quickly and is quite sturdy. Sugar Cane ($89) and a handful of other bamboo frames are available at eyebobs.com.

For the epicurean mom who loves a good mystery, “Tainted Tokay ” by Jean-Pierre Alaux and Noël Balen is a fast and easy read. Book 11 of the “Winemaker Detective” series, “Tainted Tokay” follows Benjamin Cooker France’s top wine expert and his wife Elizabeth as they travelled to Vienna, Budapest and Hungary’s wine region.

Both a gourmand and wine tasting trip, the narrative as always is entertaining while also very enlightening. The story might be fiction but the information is true. Messieurs Alaux and Balen know wine and dining.

For the first time, Virgile, Cooker’s assistant did not go with his boss, remaining in Bordeaux to man the fort, so to speak. But, while Benjamin and Elizabeth were in the middle of thievery and murder, Virgile has to deal with some unpleasantness on his own.

This book is a good read for the mystery-loving epicurean mom! And if she likes the book, remember there are 10 more out there!

For moms who love historical fiction, “The Vatican Princess: A Novel of Lucrezia Borgia” by C. W. Gortner is an excellent read.

No, this is not based on Showtime’s “The Borgias” though they share characters. After all, the Borgias is a historical family. The treatment is also different. Author C. W. Gortner focused on Lucrezia and wrote her with a feminist point of view in a male-dominated world. But, expect the lurid and scandalous behavior associated with her and her family!

And if mom happens to be a fashionista also, she will love the description of the fashion during the Renaissance in Italy.

This is one book that I would recommend to get both the hardcopy and e-book editions for Mom because it will be a good addition to her library. And if she is into audio books, I recommend it too. I read it and listened to it, and I enjoyed both.

For the romantic mom who loves historical romances, “Wild Bells to the Wild Sky” by Laurie McBain will be a good addition to her e-book library.

Originally released as a paperback in 1983, “Wild Bells to the Wild Sky” has become a classic when it comes to historical romances. Re-released as an e-book on March 1, 2016, author Laurie McBain is now being exposed to a new generation of readers.

Set in 1571, Wild Bells to the Wild Sky” has been described as “a glorious romp through Elizabethan England and the Caribbean” full of intrigue, treachery, high seas adventure and fiery passion. The storytelling is classic Laurie McBain with the lilts and evocative prose.

But, readers have changed, even McBain’s original fans. It has been over 30 years since 1983. Thanks to the internet which gave us instant gratification, most readers are used to faster storytelling.

And yes, Lily Christian and Valentine Whitelaw still tugs at your heartstrings, their love story still swoon worthy, but at the back of your mind, you want them to hurry up.

Still, mom will still love this story especially if she loves romances. Just don’t be surprised if she tells you that she had read this book on hard copy.