So far this year, I've given An Object of Beauty by Steve Martin to five people on my gift list.  Considering that there are only about 15 people on my list, that's a huge percentage.  I've been saying for a while now that this book is THE book for everyone on your list, and I'm not kidding.

I gave it to my Dad.  A few days later, I got an email from him saying "I know you gave me three books.  I have the short story book and the aphorisms book, but what was the other one?"  Turns out, my Mom had stolen the book and started reading it before he could.

I gave it to my sister's boyfriend:  he's arty, musical and brainy.

I am giving it to my Mother in Law.  Also brainy, and loves novels.

I gave a copy to somebody that I work with.

I got my Mom to get it for her friend.

Everyone will love this book, including:

• Smart people
• Art people
• New Yorkers
• MFAs
• Lovers of Novels
• Lovers of Shopgirl
• People who enjoy reading about other people's professions

The novel is about a young girl-Lacey-who works her way up in the New York City art world.  She starts at Sothebys, goes to an upper East Side private gallery, then moves down to Chelsea and opens her own gallery.  The narrator is a friend of her same age.  They're not, for the most part, romantically involved.  There's a bit of mystery-which I like. 

The books is beautifully designed:  It has a hefty dust jacket, colorful endpapers, and full color reproductions of all of the pieces of art mentioned in the book.  It's a book that I would want to own--it is so pretty, you can just look at it from time to time.  That's why I'm gifting it instead of loaning it.

It's currently on the IndieBound best-sellers table, which means it is 20% off for Pomegranate members.  And, if you're not a member, what are you waiting for?  Memberships are just $15 for a lifetime, and you get 10% off everything in the store (including special orders) and 20% off hardcover best sellers.