Best Gift Books for Lesbians 2008

"Undone," Daphne Gottlieb's beautiful essay on her own struggle with marriage in post-Prop 22 California is reason enough to purchase this collection for the sex-positive political junkie in your life. Of course, not every piece has the same Sapphic leaning, but there's a powerful queer sensibility guiding the two dozen contributors in this powerful collection edited by San Francisco literary superstar Stephen Elliott.

This fun, campy collection of personal stories, butch-femme trivia and authentic butch-authored recipes is probably an awesomely appropriate gift for at least one person you know.

This latest lesbian kama sutra features hot photos and steamy and creative sex advice: perhaps a perfect little holiday hint for your latest bedfellow?

This 2006 collection of holiday-themed lesbian fiction, edited by famed mystery novelist Katherine V. Forrest, is a nice and versatile present for nearly any woman on your list.

Any art lover will appreciate this new release by the legendary Leibovitz, who shares the stories and trade secrets behind some of her most famous portraits.

The best of 25 years (and 11 volumes) of Alison Bechdel's classic comic strip are compiled in the single hardcover volume. If you know anyone obsessed with the daily goings-on of Mo, Lois, Ginger, Sparrow, Sydney, et al, they'll love it. Sixty new strips are included as well.

McHugh's collection of five volumes pay homage to our deep, delicious queer culture and history. Secrets and Scandals, the latest addition to the series, uncovers some of the community's dirty little queer secrets, Loud and Proud and Out of the Mouths of Queers are full of quotes and classic expressions, and A Gay in the Life and Homo History delve into our rich collective past. These are fun books for anyone into queer trivia.

by Erin McHugh
Ah, the power of suggestion! Buy this book as a gift for your sexy "straight" office mate and let us know how it turns out--or just buy it for yourself and see how many of the stereotypes you can check off the list.

Crisis: 40 Stories Revealing the Personal, Social and Religious Pain and Trauma of Growing Up Gay in America,
by Mitchell Gold
While it doesn't quite fall in the category of fun and light-hearted holiday reading, this new and highly acclaimed anthology of essays is an invaluable resource to parents and activists. Writers range from established authors and high-profile community members to new voices.

This essential guide to worldwide, gay-friendly travel publishes new editions every year, and features many of the places overlooked by Lonely Planet and nearly impossible to find on the Web. The 2008 version comes out on December 15.