Holiday shopping help

[katang]

All right, here's the situation.
Every year we celebrate boxing day with my wife's family, and my mother-in-law buys books for everyone. I would like to buy a graphic novel for everyone to give to them at the same time. None of them currently read comic books, but all are avid readers.
I will list each member and what their tastes are and what I'm thinking about getting them. I would like feedback on my options since most of these books I have not read myself. Thanks in advance for any help.

Father-in-law (61 years old) - reads a lot of fiction, Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler, John Grisham, like action movies
Options I'm considering: Edgar Rice Burrough's Tarzan, Indiana Jones Omnibus (the new Dark horse stuff), KIckback, Human Target, Challenger Deep, Left on MIssion, Leading Man

Mother-in-law (59 years old) - reads a lot of fiction, mostly chic lit type stuff and Nicholas Sparks (unless those are the same)
Options I'm considering: Adventures of Blanche, Trouble with Katie Rogers, Cheat, Swallow me Whole

Brother-in-law (29 years old) - reads fantasy, likes video games and action, sci-fi movies, read Watchmen last year before the movie came out
Options I'm considering: G.I. JOe Vs. Transformers (he's expressed interest in this), Planetary, 300 HC

Sister-in-law (28 years old) - reads Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, not sure what else.
Options I'm considering: Anita Blake, Emily the Strange, Fables, Unwritten, Books of Magic, Grimwood's daughter

Wife (32 years old) - reads a lot of fiction, chic lit, Jennifer Weiner, Sophia Kinsella, Nicholas Sparks, swaps books with her mother a lot
Options I'm considering: It Rhymes with Lust, My Faith in Frankie, Sloth, Burnout, Confessions of a Blabbemouth, Creased, Long Hot Summer, Festering Romance, Twelve Reasons why I love her.

I would prefer mostly one and done stories, as opposed, to continuing series. Also, I don't want anything that's terribly graphic or over the top.
Let me know what everyone thinks. All feedback is appreciated.

[fanboydan]

Looks like you're on the right track to me.

Father-in-law - Kickback was an amazing book that doesn't get much recognition. Maybe the Parker book by Darwyn Cooke?

Mom-in-law (and the other chick lit readers)- There are those Marvel Classics adaptions - may be a good way to ease them into reading a GN. The Wizard of Oz book, while not technically chick lit, may be a good story for them.

Brother-in-law - if you're going with the G.I. Joe/Transformers, I recommend the one drawn by Jae Lee - I think it was the Dreamwave version of the crossover. It may be out-of-print. If that's the case, you can't go wrong with either Planetary or 300.

Sister-in-law - Only problem with Fables is it's a long, on-going story. Great if you want to get her hooked on it. Also can't go wrong with the first Gaiman-penned Books Of Magic. Stay away from Anita Blake, though - my wife reads all the paranormal vampire romance stuff and she couldn't stomach this one.

Wife - you know your wife better than anyone you'll meet on here - use your best judgment, or better yet, a gift card to Neiman Marcus.
One you may want to try and hunt down is Three Days in Europe from Oni. It was a mini and collection that came out a number of years ago, but was really a good "couples" book.

Or you can go the easy route - SCOTT PILGRIM for all!!! That'll cover everyone on your list.

Good luck. Sounds like you're going to have a great Christmas.

[johnferrigno]

Father-in-law: Parker: the Hunter by Darwyn Cooke would be a good choice. Also, QUeen and Country since he likes Tom Clancy type espionage stuff. That seems to be the standard when it comes to that type of story in comic form.

Mother-in-Law: check out a book called Mail Order Bride (I don't know who it's by off the top of my head.) It's very good and has a strong female character who finds her true self throughout the story, so maybe that could appeal to her "chick lit" tastes. I read it about 5 years back and loved it.

Brother-in-Law: If he likes fantasy, definitely give Mouse Guard a look. I read the first two hardcovers, both were excellent.

Sister-in-Law: One word for you: Bone. My wife also loves Harry potter and Lord of the Rings, and I gave her Bone to read. She flipped out over how much she loved it. Great fantasy story that would probably be right up her alley.

Wife: Maybe something by Alex Robinson? Box Office Poison is pretty much my favorite book ever. I recommended it to a female friend of mine who loved it. Or maybe one of the books I recommended above? I have no idea what the books you are considering are, so I can't comment on them. But you know you're wife better than anybody, probably, so just go with your gut on that one.

[sugarsickness]

I don't know how 'chic lit' this comic actually is... I just know that it makes ME cry... and tbh I'm pretty much as manly as they come*

But maybe Brian Wood's LOCAL for mother-in-law? or wife? Although the collected book is quite intimidating...

I'm horrible at giving gifts though ><





*this statement is entirely untrue.

[deadspace]

Strangers in Paradise would have been a good choice for the ladies but it's mega long.

I'd suggest I Kill Giants and Asterios Polyp for anyone. Maybe the Essex County Trilogy too.

[katang]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. Now I have some tough decisions to make. Can anyone tell me more about Kickback, since, I have never read it?
Thanks

Drew

[jorean]

Originally Posted by deadspace

Strangers in Paradise would have been a good choice for the ladies but it's mega long.

I'd suggest I Kill Giants and Asterios Polyp for anyone. Maybe the Essex County Trilogy too.

I agree. I just made my mom read I Kill Giants. It was her first graphic novel and she cried like a baby. She typically sticks to smutt books with lots of romance and sex, but she loved it.