What books would make great holiday gifts this year?

The Spark's annual "books to give as gifts" program

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

Christmas gifts wrapped in paper and an archive of old books under a decorated Christmas tree. Postcard.

Aired November 20th, 2023.

Tis the season with the holidays right around the corner. What better way to show your loved ones you care by giving them a great book to read.

The Spark is hosting our annual book-as-gifts guide. Books come in all shapes and sizes with a vast array of genres including non-fiction, fiction, mystery, romance, kids books and much more. Quite frankly, there is a book for anyone to be happy with!

On Monday’s The Spark, we discussed how books make great holiday gifts with our book experts and heard their recommendations for books to read or give.

Joining us Monday were Catherine Lawrence, co-owner of the Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg, Travis Kurowski, (Ph.D.) an assistant professor of creative writing at York College of Pennsylvania, and Carolyn Blatchley, MLIS, Executive Director of Cumberland County Library System.

Travis Kurowski’s book recommendations can be found here.

The Midtown Scholar Bookstore’s recommendations can be found here.

The Cumberland County Library System’s recommendations can be found here.