Holiday Gift Guide
by Karman Kregloe, Heather Aimee O'Neill, and Sarah Warn,
December 7, 2006

Ah, the holidays. All that politically correct holiday spirit, jingling bells, free cookies at the office, unending holiday parties, being forced to spend time with folks you only see once a year (for a reason), figuring out what to get Aunt Joan who hates everything … OK, the holidays can be a mixed blessing. But we at AfterEllen.com want to make things a bit easier on all of you.

Here are our suggestions for the best gifts to give the lesbians (or supporters of lesbians) in your lives.

MUSIC

Lesbian and bi musicians are performing in all genres these days — from punk to country to, yes, folk. There's something for every music lover here.

Moon Over the Freeway, The Ditty Bops — You don't need the costumes and puppet shows of their live gigs to enjoy this catchy, swing-inspired CD. Real-life couple Amanda Barrett and Abby DeWald create dreamy, perfect harmonies and pipe them into whimsical, shimmering tunes. And buy their bikini calendar as a stocking stuffer, 'cause the girls are cuties.

Dying to Say This to You, The Sounds — The Sounds' openly bisexual singer Maja Ivarsson has a voice and vibe reminiscent of Missing Persons' Dale Bozzio (remember her plastic dress?) and Berlin's Teri Nunn, and Dying is a happy pop/rock/punk ménage à trois. Standout tracks include “Song With a Mission” and “24 Hours.” The Sounds' joyful and shame-free use of a synthesizer brings to mind some of the best stuff by The Cars. It's the perfect CD for your friend with the '80s fetish.

Pretty Little Stranger, Joan Osborne — There are so many reasons to love Joan Osborne. The bisexual singer-songwriter can belt out rock and soul with equal conviction, and she's a committed activist for reproductive freedom. Pretty Little Stanger is just another reason to add to the list. Her first foray into Americana is lushly produced, showcases Osborne's passionate vocals, and includes an original song about a relationship with a woman (“After Jane”).

Woman Dangerous, Doria Roberts — The latest CD by Lilith Fair veteran Roberts is an earthy blend of soul and acoustic rock with a decidedly political edge. The perfect CD for the folk lovers in your life who will appreciate Roberts' writing and musicianship just as much as the fact that Woman Dangerous was produced on Roberts' own indie label.

Standing in the Way of Control, The Gossip — By now you've probably already devoured the title track of their new CD, and the good news is that the rest of the gritty, punk rock album is just as tight and in-your-face as the single. In interviews, lead singer and out lesbian Beth Ditto is funny, smart and real, and her rebellious spirit comes through loud and clear in all of the songs. Besides, let's face it: The girl just sings her face off. The disc is a perfect gift for anyone who can appreciate a powerful set of pipes and a stick-it-to-the-man attitude.

BOOKS

A list of books for nearly every name on your list — and a few you might consider picking up for yourself.

The Best American Comics 2006 — The acclaimed Best American series, generally known for its fiction, essays and poetry, has finally added a collection of comics to its catalog. Beautifully bound with a colorful cover, the book features 30 American artists, including Alison Bechdel of Dykes to Watch Out For. Like the genre itself, the stories are diverse and come from a variety of publications, including pamphlets, newspapers, the Web and graphic novels. Look for a full review next month in Across the Page.

Kate: The Woman Who Was Hepburn, William J. Mann — Katharine Hepburn wore many hats: She was a young tomboy who insisted people call her Jimmy; an awkward adolescent desperate to please her father; a world-class celebrity filled with insecurity and uncertainty. And then, of course, Hollywood 's manufactured version of the star concealed her intimacy with women and exaggerated her relationship with Spencer Tracey. In Kate, William J. Mann works tirelessly to uncover the truth behind the American legend and, in the process, tells a fascinating and engaging story.

Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee, Charles L. Shields; To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee — Pick up the classic To Kill a Mockingbird along with Charles L. Shields' new biography of Harper Lee to give as a set. If you don't remember it from high school, here's a quick breakdown: Set in 1930s Alabama, To Kill a Mockingbird is the coming-of-age story of young girl Scout Finch. When Scout's father, a lawyer, accepts a case defending an innocent black man accused of rape, the entire town turns against the Finch family. Mockingbird is a thoughtful biography that explores Lee's upbringing, creativity, sexuality, and friendship with Truman Capote. The book also seeks to answer the infamous question: Why didn't Lee write a second book? After rereading To Kill a Mockingbird (or reading it for the first time), you might find yourself asking the same question.

New and Selected Poems: Volume One and Volume Two, Mary Oliver — Lesbian poet Mary Oliver is especially attuned to nature and wildlife and, refreshingly, tends to focus her lens outward. Both collections feature poems from Oliver's previous award-winning books as well as newer poems. The last lines of “The Sun” are just one example of the simplicity and beauty of her language: “Have you ever felt for anything / such wild love — / do you think there is anywhere, in any language, / a word billowing enough for the pleasure / that fills you / as the sun / reaches out …”

The Night Watch, Sarah Waters — The Night Watch is a story in reverse, so once you finish the book, it's nearly impossible not to go back and read it again. Beginning in 1947 and ending in 1941 (Waters brilliantly captures the tattered streets of London during World War II), the novel interweaves the lives of three women and a young man. Vivien struggles with her devotion to a married solider; Kay, an ambulance driver, witnesses the true (and bloody) horrors of the war; Helen tries, and mostly fails, to keep her secrets secret; and Duncan spends the war locked up inside a prison cell. Though Waters is known for her complex plots, it's the characters who ultimately make The Night Watch such a compelling read.

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