Here are a few more suggestions for holiday gift-giving. For the Tar Heel fan in your life, pick "Carolina Basketball: A Century of Excellence" (UNC Press, $30), by Adam Lucas. This book is filled with pictures, stories and information about Tar Heel basketball from its first season on. Included are first person stories from players like Lennie Rosenbluth and Michael Jordan as well as from opposing coaches such as Lefty Driesell.

And for the Wolfpack fan, there's "N.C. State Basketball: 100 Years of Innovation," by Tim Peeler and Roger Winstead, also published by UNC Press with a price of $30. Longtime fans will enjoy revisiting the days of Everett Case and Norm Sloan as well as Jimmy V. There are plenty of photos and stories.

From Bland Simpson and Scott Taylor comes "The Coasts of Carolina: Seaside to Sound Country" (UNC Press, $30). Gorgeous color photographs by Taylor, along with text by Simpson, paint a portrait of coastal life.

"Literary Trails of the North Carolina Piedmont," by Georgann Eubanks (UNC Press, $37), is the second in a series of regional guides bringing to life the literary history of the state. The first volume was "Literary Trails of the North Carolina Mountains."

A little closer to home, Stephen Smith's book of poems "A Short Report on the Fire at Woolworths" would make a fine gift for poetry lovers. Some of the poems are from Smith's "Bushnell Hamp" books, but most of them are new. Stephen always has an interesting take on life.

From Southern Pines author Tom Scheves comes an interesting book that crosses genre lines and makes a reader take a look at his own attitude toward faith. "The Awakening of Surry County," published by Kinglake Publishing, tells the story of Jake, a North Carolina mechanic who just can't seem to get a break. A chance find changes his life and that of his small town forever.

James Patterson, best known for this thrillers, takes on a different genre in the wonderful tale of "Sundays at Tiffanys" (Grand Central, $13.99). Jane Margeaux's imaginary friend Michael tells her he must leave her when she turns 9. Michael knows that she will soon forget him as all of his children do, but in Jane's case that doesn't happen. In fact, an adult Jane has written a well-received play based on herself and Michael. When Michael returns to the city during a break from his imaginary friend responsibilities, he spots Jane and can't get her out of his mind. Lifetime has made a movie of this book.

Johnston County mystery writer Margaret Maron has a new Deborah Knott mystery called "Christmas Mourning" (Grand Central, $25.99). Deborah and her husband, Deputy Dwight Bryant, are preparing to celebrate their first anniversary as well as getting ready for the holidays. When a young cheerleader dies in a car crash, the entire community is devastated, including many of Deborah's nieces and nephews. Since there was no other car involved, there is some question about just why she wrecked the car. Deborah just hopes that they can find out who the killer was before Christmas Eve.

Contact Faye Dasen at fdasen@thepilot.com.