AUBURN – The Auburn Public Library staff presents the annual suggestions for reading (and viewing and listening) holiday gifts. Most of the items are in stock at or can be ordered through a local bookseller.

“Adorable Sock Dolls to Make and Love” by Connie Stone and Emola Lowe, Sterling Publishing. The how-to book provides step-by-step instructions for making low-tech, huggable, lovable dolls that will win the hearts of young and old alike. (R. Waltos)

“The Bird Lover’s Backyard Handbook: Attracting, Nesting and Feeding” by Jan Mahnken, Thunder Bay Press, a colorful, practical guidebook that includes numerous photos and illustrations while describing the habits of varieties and how to attract them. (M.Ellrich)

“A Handmade Life” by William S. Coperthwaite, Chelsea Green Publishing. The Maine author and yurt builder provides practical advice and food for thought in the illustrated essay about the joys and struggles of self-sufficiant living. (P. Osborn)

“Home: A Short History of an Idea” by Witold Rybczynski, Penguin USA, a thought-provoking book that will appeal to those with a love of architecture or design. (J. Weed)

“Je me souviens la cuisine de la grandmere” (or “I Remember Grandma’s Cooking”), American-French Genealogical Society, $14. French-American heritage cookbooks aren’t easy to come by, so this especially nice one will be welcomed by those who didn’t save grandma’s tourtierre recipe. (Order online at www.afgs.org.) (S. Bouchard)

“The Lake House” by James Patterson, Little Brown and Co., sequel to “When the Wind Blows,” describes the further perils of a family of genetically altered bird-humans who have escaped from the clutches of an evil government laboratory. (A. Look)

Especially for

Young Adults

“Dating Hamlet: Ophelia’s Story” by Lisa Fiedler, Henry Holt and Co., $16.95. The gripping young adult novel, in which Ophelia is in love with Hamlet but must figure out how to save them both from danger, is an exciting way to introduce young readers to Shakespeare. For ages 12 and up. (S. Holt)

“NBA’s Greatest” by John Hareas, DK Publishing, $30. Younger fans of the game will appreciate how this book describes basketball history through glossy photos and graphics; their parents and grandparents will appreciate the introduction by Celtics great John Havlicek. (S. Bouchard)

Especially for Children

“Baby Einstein Video Series,” Walt Disney Home Video, $14.98 each for video; $19.98 for DVD. Each 30-minute video in the series (including Baby Bach, Baby Van Gogh, Language Nursery and Neighborhood Animals) will become a kid favorite and provide much-needed relief to parents burnt-out on Barney and SpongeBob. For children ages 1 to 3. (S. McGilvery)

“Boxes for Katje” by Candace Fleming, Farrar Straus and Giroux, $16. This book, based on real events, tells the story of how a post-war correspondence between two young girls, one in America and the other in war-torn Holland, led to a home-grown relief effort that pulled the residents of a Dutch town through a difficult winter. For children in grades one through four. (D. Cleveland)

For more information, call 782-3191.