Last-Minute Gift Ideas

With just about a week left before Christmas, might I humbly suggest some fun books by friends of mine that would make great gifts? Browse a bit, won't you?

"Remembering Christmas" by Frank Anthony Polito, Michael Salvatore and Tom Mendicino: Three holiday novellas in one, including the "sequel" to Polito's 2008 debut, in which the lovable ex-"Band Fag" Jack Paterno asks Santa for the ultimate Christmas present -- a boyfriend! Order HERE.

"School of Night" by Louis Bayard: In his latest novel, Bayard folds his two narratives around one another -- two different centuries sharing one shocking secret -- and creates a gripping story of mysteries and intrigue and a spellbinding portrait of timeless love. Order HERE.

"At Home With Myself" is David Mixner: In his long-awaited follow-up to "Stranger Among Friends," the legendary activist, presidential adviser and Africa expert writes from and about his country home in Turkey Hollow, an upstate New York town so small and remote that it has just 10 residents, there's no cable TV, the nearest airport is a three-hour drive, and deer and bear are his closest neighbors. However, these bucolic surroundings provide an ideal setting for observation and reflection. Order HERE.

"When Nightlife Falls" by Derek Hartley: His latest memoir is all about his private life, behind the scenes of his Sirius/XM radio show, celebrities ... and falling in love. Order HERE.

"Holy Rollers" by Rob Byrnes: When Grant Lambert and Chase LaMarca -- partners in life and crime -- learn that $7 million in not-so-petty cash is hidden in the safe of a rightwing mega-church, they assemble a team of gay and lesbian criminals to infiltrate the church and steal the money. But this Gang That Can't Do Anything Straight quickly finds its plans complicated by corrupt congressmen (and their gay aides); an "ex-gay" conference; an FBI investigation; and --most jarring for these born-and-bred New Yorkers -- life in the northern Virginia suburbs. Order HERE.

"Take the Lead" by Johnny Diaz: Popular college professor Gabriel Galan has a job he adores in Boston, a hot young lover, and a buddy who goes along on pub crawls and Star Trek nights alike. But Gabriel wants more. When Gabriel's stubbornly independent father needs help managing his Parkinson's disease, Gabriel takes on more than he bargained for, and his smooth-cruising life is about to take a sharp turn as he teeters on the edge of a new crush on Adam, his father's physical therapy dance class instructor. Gabriel has always yearned for a co-pilot on his journey through life, but first he needs to take the lead and navigate the troubled waters of his own heart. Order HERE.

"Diary of a Sex Addict" by Scott Alexander Hess: Witty, dark and explosively carnal, Hess' sophomore novel chronicles a gay New Yorker’s month-long descent into a circus of anonymous hook-ups as he struggles to erase the pain of a failed romance and blot out the routine of a soul-numbing day job. Bizarre gang-bangs and fleeting attempts at celibacy are interspersed with visits to his wealthy and eccentric dowager aunt, visits that awaken lost memories of a chaotic youth. Order HERE.

"Your Boyfriend and Other Guys I've Kissed: The Tails of Totally Tyler More" by Totally Tyler: In his debut book, the party boy blogger hilariously navigates his way through the gay Atlanta dating scene -- one lemon drop martini at a time. Sometimes humorous, sometimes heartbreaking, always poignant, Totally Tyler weaves triumphant and tragic tales of tail. Order HERE.

"Heavenly Tails" edited by Fionna McKinney (and featuring a story by yours truly): A heart-warming collection of stories written by people whose lives were forever changed simply by the presence of a cat! Order HERE.