Columnist Muriel Stevens: Opening a new chapter for holidays

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003 | 8:21 a.m.

Whenever I hear of someone who reads books on a computer, I wonder why anyone would prefer being hunched over a PC to curling up in a favorite spot with a book. There is for me no greater pleasure than settling into a comfortable chair with a good read.

Within easy reach is a cup of tea and all's right with my world. Reading is a passion I pursue whenever time permits. I'll read anything, even cereal boxes if that's all that's at hand.

Books make wonderful gifts, and at this time of year there are books on just about every wacky subject. "Flying for Peanuts" by Marty Thompson (Five Star Publications, $9.95) is an oddball tribute to Southwest Airlines.

Thompson, a zany character, says his paperback is the only flight manual published that teaches the skills necessary to manage your own customer service. Frequent Southwest fliers will enjoy this offbeat but informative and humorous flight of Thompson's fancy.

As a shopping columnist, I frequently turn to Lucky magazine for fashion tidbits. Lucky is a hip monthly magazine on women's fashions. The recently published "Lucky Shopping Manual" by Kim France and Andrea Linett (Gotham Books, $30) is a terrific volume filled with invaluable advice on building and improving a wardrobe piece by piece.

So much information and so many illustrations. France is editor-in-chief of Lucky; Linett is creative director. They offer such good advice as what looks best on your body type and back it up with cross-referenced sections on everything you could possibly wear. I loved the advice on what to take on a three-day trip.

"The Food Lover's Guide to Florence: With Culinary Excursions in Tuscany" by Emily Wise Miller (Ten Speed Press, $14.95) is a gem. When the author moved to Florence from San Francisco she discovered there were no books with in-depth coverage of what she calls the "epicurean riches of Florence," so she set out to write one.

I've traveled the areas she writes about and was impressed by the wealth of information in this pocket-size book. It's a delight.

"Midnight Munchies" by Diane Morgan (Chronicle Books, $16.95) is a late-night nosher's dream come true. I'm no longer a midnight muncher, but I found time to make up a batch of the savory golden almonds -- raw almonds coated with a mix of egg white, spices and Parmesan cheese -- that are a zesty treat. Make a couple of batches and share with friends. So many easy-to-make delicious treats.

"Zingerman's Guide to Good Eating" by Ari Weinzweig (Houghton Mifflin, $19.95) is a compendium of information about how to choose the best bread, chocolate, pasta, cheeses, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and more (recipes, too). Weinzweig never planned to be in the food business, but fate and a friend who just happened to find the right space for a Jewish deli (there are now many Zingerman's) made it happen.

Weinzweig and the deli business were meant for each other. He savors every new product and advises readers to leave a store that doesn't give you a taste of a product you might buy if only you knew that you liked it. This one's for all food lovers who want the skinny on everything from vanilla beans to smoked salmon.