READER BILL DARROW EMAILS:

With Christmas approaching, I’m thinking of giving some books. Would you consider posting what you regard as some kind of Top 5 or Top 10 books (to think about as gifts)? They needn’t be published in 2005, or limited to non-fiction. But it would be helpful and interesting. I fear that my nieces and nephews (at Cornell, Smith, Marlboro, and some outfit in Montreal) are not getting directed to important books or good history.

Who do I look like? Frank Wilson? But hey, send me some recommendations and I’ll post ’em.