F YOU are searching for gifts for readers (or non- readers) this Christmas, consider the following ‘books, from B.C. publishers and authors. The romance/saga reader Light in the Company of ~ Women, By Keith Maillard (HarperCollins). -North Shore writer Maillard * | creates an expansive turn-of-the- century novel chronicling the life of Sarsfield Middelton, a man who “straddles two-eras. Maillard gives careful attention to both period details and authen- tic style of the romance novel. A sample: “The boys slogged through the easier plays of Shakespeare i in editions from _ which the improper speeches of “ps keepers and grave diggers ad been carefully expurgated — and read, from other eminently dead or moribund authors, selec- tions so refined and uplifting as to sink at once any young, spirited, “male reader into the profoundest “of stupefaction.”©. 0... The travelling histary buff ; ‘A Traveller's Guide to Historic “British Columbia, By Rosemary _Neering (Whitecap Books). “Neering’s guide is really for the ° _ traveller who likes to seek out his: toric sites, net for the armchair his- toriane: _ “Although the entries for each area (eight regions) are brief, Neering includes some less well- known. historic facts: A useful jumping-off point for - more detailed. readings on B.C. _areas of historic interest. “The owtdoorsperson * Written by the Wind, By Randy Stoltman,. (Orca Book Publishers). West Vancouver environmen- ‘talist Randy Stoliman’s fine collec- ‘ton of essays ave based on his ~ travel in five wilderness areas of “southwestern B.C. * ‘its sui The accompanying photos are as pallucid as his prose. _He writes of the outdoors with a * eritical awareness of the threats to’ ival: “such places have CINEMA 1 JURASSIC PARK: Nightly 7:10pm & 9:15pm. Sat/Sun. 3:00pm & 5:00pm Single Feature Presentation 14 yrs. R. Barbara Black BOOK REVIEW character; they live and breathe ‘and aaze with the mist of sun on rain-soaked needles. These places were not made for humans...” Includes area maps. The Nature of Sea Otters, By Stefani Faine, Photographs by Jeff Foott, (Greystone Books). _ Normally, i don’t go out of my way to recommend coffee table books, but Vancouver (Aquarium) biologist Paine writes so in- ‘telligently about these creatures, the text is worth reading. These are fascinating creatures, with unique habits, who live en- tirely on the sea. After explaining the spscial features of the otter, Paine discusses the sea otter's relation. ship with humans and its struggle to regain numbers after near-ex- tinction. « Jeff Foott’s photos capture beautifully the diverse character and habits of otters. Unlike the usual stock wildlife shots, these photos vividly convey the coastal -environament of the otters. - The eclectic reader Return of the Answer Lady, By Marg Meike, HHustrated by Sa Boothroyd (Douglas & McIntyre), The perfect bathroom book for ‘throne readers. Find out the func- tion of the ear lobe, why Cof- feemate blaws up and how to make a decent espresso. Great for info junkies, Sexy Hieroglyphics, 3,375 Do- tt- Yourself: Haiku, By Laurie Fox (Chronicle Books). A hybrid poetic flipbook that aliows you to create your own surprisingly evocative and some- times suggestive haiku. CINEMA 2 BEVERLY HILLBILLIES Nightly 7:00pm DEMOLITION MAN ~ Nightly 9:00pm __ ‘NUTCRACKER Sat/Sun. 3:00pm & 5:00pm { came up with “The liquid gesture/ider tea bloated with black tears/A question of thirst.” A suit- able diversion for lovers. (Not a B.C. book.) The socialist/humanist On the Edge, A journey into the Heart of Canada, By Lindalee Tracey, (Douglas & Mcintyre). For those who want to under- stand the poor or who need to reconnect with people living on the fringe. The many people on Tracey's cross-Canada tour include out- of-work fishermen, a mentally iff woman, dumpster-divers, an AIDS-stricken gay couple and a native deejay. ‘Most escape our blanket defini- tion of the poverty-stricken, which is exactly Tracey's purpose. Not a politically astute book at times, but Tracey writes sensitively without romanticizing her sub- | jects’ lives, * Quality wine ts Gift certificates A great last minute gift idea OPEN 11 AM | CLOSED | A McWines WED. 149 Went ard , Van. St..N. 987-1411 I CINEMA:3 THE FUGITIVE _ Nightly 7:00pm; Sat/Sun. 3:00pm R. 14 yes. * FEARLESS Nightly 9:10pm; Sat/Sun. 5:00pm o R. 14 yrs. OZOCGPMO M<—s4oMmn MIA OA ZSEOO4ZCOO ee a . gttigy a different oe ‘pers fective, 355 Burrard Street, Vancouver 688-8191 Diner's Contest Sponscrad by: Intra Travel Co. of Adventure & Visitors Only Handbook - WEARERS | TAKE THIS. TEST. oe. Are your dentures “a Requiring lots of paste Q Loose’. C) Causing you to age Q Cracked, worn: QD Worn in your pockel 0 Over five years old . 0