E-mail Miriam Young or interact with her at her message board.

NEWS FLASH: We interrupt the previously scheduled article on drool-worthy tile to bring you this more calendar-appropriate piece, filled with books that will make wonderful gifts for those savvy, tasteful people on your list.

Yes, they will look beautiful on your coffee table after they've been perused and enjoyed. However, they are exceptional works of beauty and are sure to inspire and awe the recipient.

You'll notice that these books are not written about art. That's what makes them great for anyone with eyes and an appreciation for the diverse and interesting aspects of the world. And, even if someone has traveled the world three times over, they have not seen the world this way, because the photography is through a lens that focuses differently, or approaches from a different angle.

THREE WISE BOOKS

In addition to the books listed at right, the following three are so exceptional they deserve special mention:

"Heaven and Earth: Unseen by the Naked Eye"

By David Malin and Katherine Roucoux, Phaidon Press, $16.95/392 pages, paperback

This one's full of mind-blowing photos of everything from the microscopic to the telescopic. Starting with atoms and grains of pollen shot through an electron microscope, the book works its way out -- way out, to comets and galaxies in the cosmos. Besides its splendor, how often in life do you have the chance to give someone "heaven and earth"?

"Night Visions: The Secret Designs of Moths"

By Joseph Scheer, Prestel Publishing, $45/120 pages, hardcover

"Night Visions" brings the stunning and overlooked beauty of moths to light. Use of a high-resolution scanner brings out every nuance of each furry, feathery millimeter of a diverse selection of moths. Before this book, you never knew moths were so exquisite, and after this book, you'll never look at them the same way again. Includes an essay by UVa professor Johanna Drucker.

"Earth from Above"

By Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Harry N. Abrams Publishing, $55/440 pages, hardcover

While visiting London, I saw a huge, outdoor exhibit of photos by this artist. The book, while on a smaller scale, still stuns and inspires with aerial photos of Earth shot from helicopters and planes. Encompassing five years and 60 countries, you'll be amazed at the natural and man-made assemblages Arthus-Bertrand has captured on film. Because of its tremendous success, the book is also available in smaller formats as well as an edition for younger readers. Prices for these editions range from $14.95 to $29.95.

Miriam Young is a creative director living in color in Roanoke.

Please respect the copyrights of the owners when visiting online galleries and obtain artists' permission before downloading any images.