Page-Turners: From Bruce to the Ballet

Books about the arts and entertainment for holiday giving run the gamut from stocking stuffers on Jennifer Love Hewitt to recollections of the final days of “Seinfeld” to the comedy musings of Ray Romano to coffee-table books on Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones and the New York City Ballet:

Television

“EVERYTHING AND A KITE,” by Ray Romano, Bantam ($22.95). The star of the hit CBS sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond” offers his comic observations on his own experiences as a neurotic Italian American son, brother, husband, suburban homeowner and father of four.

“SEIN OFF: THE FINAL DAYS OF SEINFELD,” by Jerry Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Michael Richards and Jason Alexander; photographs by David Hume Kennerly, HarperCollins ($20 for trade paperback; $35 for hardcover). For those “Seinfeld” fans who feel like something is missing this television season, this book offers the stars’ recollections and anecdotes of the final days of the show about nothing and features 200 never-before-seen photographs by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Kennerly.

“I LOVE LUCY: THE COMPLETE PICTURE HISTORY OF THE MOST POPULAR TV SHOW EVER,” by Michael McClay; photographic montages edited by Deanna Gaffner-McClay, Warner Books ($19.99). Introduced by Lucie Arnaz, this tribute to the classic TV series features a complete pictorial history of every episode and draws on dozens of interviews with “Lucy” stars and creators. The lavishly illustrated book features 1,000 photographs--many of which had never been published before.

“ON SUNSET BOULEVARD: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF BILLY WILDER,” by Ed Sikov, Hyperion ($35). Fans of the Oscar-winning director of such classic as “Sunset Blvd.,” “Double Indemnity,” “The Lost Weekend,” “Sabrina” and “The Apartment” will probably be interested in this 600-page biography of the brilliant, cynical filmmaker who left Berlin in 1933 during Hitler’s rise to power. Sikov utilizes new research and interviews with such Wilder stars as Susan Sarandon and Joan Fontaine to trace Wilder’s often turbulent and remarkable life.

Movies

“AMERICAN MOVIE CLASSICS’ GREAT CHRISTMAS MOVIES,” by Frank Thompson, Taylor ($29.95). Companion book to an upcoming AMC holiday special examines such yuletide classics as “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Miracle on 34th Street,” silent Christmas movies, low-budget holiday films, as well as the various adaptations of “A Christmas Carol.”

“JOURNEY TO BELOVED,” by Oprah Winfrey; photographs by Ken Regan, Hyperion ($40). Winfrey’s emotional account making the acclaimed, box-office disappointment based on Toni Morrison’s novel features beautiful, black-and-white behind-the-scenes production photographs.

“OPEN SECRET: GAY HOLLYWOOD 1928-1998,” by David Ehrenstein, William Morrow ($22). The Los Angeles-based writer chronicles the changing roles of gays within mainstream heterosexual America over the last 60 years of movie-making. The book also explores the lives and careers of some of Hollywood’s foremost gays and lesbians.

“STAR WARS: THE VISUAL DICTIONARY” AND “STAR WARS: INCREDIBLE CROSS-SECTIONS,” by David West Reynolds, DK Publishing ($19.95 each). Must-haves for the galaxies of “Star Wars” fans. “The Visual Dictionary” explains every feature of the characters, creatures, costumes, droids and equipment found in the “Star Wars” trilogy. “Incredible Cross-Sections” reveals the inner workings of the key vehicles and spacecrafts from the movies.

Pop Music

“BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN: SONGS,” by Bruce Springsteen, Avon Books ($50). The singer-songwriter, who will be inducted next year into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, reflects on his music, his performances and his own creative process in this inspiring collection of lyrics as well as personal and professional photographs.

“INTO THE HEART: THE STORIES BEHIND EVERY U2 SONG,” by Niall Stokes, Thunder’s Mouth Press ($22.95). The first book to explore the background and inspiration of the Irish band’s every song, also features interviews with the band members and key people close to U2, as well as a complete discography and chronology of the band and its members.

“THE ROLLING STONES: A LIFE ON THE ROAD,” interviews by Jools Holland and Dora Lowenstein, Penguin Studio ($50). This stylish coffee-table book relates the official story of the Stones’ life on the road, touring and performing for over the past 35 years. Created with the cooperation of Mick and the gang, its management and a few of their closest colleagues, the book includes first-person accounts and rare photographs from the Stones’ own archives as well as from international collections.

Arts

“TRIBUTES: CELEBRATING FIFTY YEARS OF NEW YORK CITY BALLET,” preface by Peter Martins; forward by Mikhail Baryshnikov, William Morrow ($50). This exquisite coffee-table book features paintings, sets, costumes, photography, sculpture, poetry and writing that the late George Balanchine’s company has spawned from the likes of Marc Chagall, Henri Cartier-Bresson and Wendy Wasserstein.

“MEXICAN COLOR,” photographs by Amanda Holmes; introduction and text by Elena Poniatowska, Stewart, Tabori & Chang ($35). The history and culture of Mexico is illustrated through the use of color in clothes, textiles, homes, markets, contemporary and folk art, interior spaces, as well as ancient and modern architecture.

“THE STORY OF OPERA,” by Richard Somerset-Ward; foreword by Kiri Te Kanawa, Harry N. Abrams ($49.50). A lavish narrative history of the opera as an art form. The text is organized chronologically with separate chapters devoted to the great national schools of opera.

“LOUVRE: PORTRAIT OF A MUSEUM,” conceived and photographed by Nicholas D-Archimbaud; written by Bruno de Cessole; Annie Forgeau; Federic Volloire; Anne Chene; and Yves Saint-Hillaire. Stewart, Tabori & Chang ($60). This handsome gift book features 650 original photographs, never-before-produced archival plans and documents, essays on the famed Parisian museum’s history and architecture and an overview of its seven departments.

Biographies

“LOVE STORY: THE UNAUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY OF JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT,” by Marc Shapiro, Berkley Boulevard ($5.99). In this “shocking, up close and personal” biography of the “Party of Five” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer” star, fans will learn about her past and present romances, her sexy new look and what’s coming up for her on the big screen.

“BOB HOPE: THE ROAD WELL-TRAVELED,” by Lawrence J. Quirk, Applause Books ($26.95). In this biography of the 95-year-old comedian, Quirk attempts to analyze the celebrity of the comic and penetrate his mystique. Quirk examines every aspect of Hope’s long life and ends up revealing a far more complicated individual than his breezy, carefree public persona.

“WITH OSSIE & RUBY: IN THIS LIFE TOGETHER,” by Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, William Morrow ($25). The legendary acting couple who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year offer numerous tales of the people they’ve met and the places they have traveled, as well as insight on how they kept their marriage and family together and what it is like to be artists as well as political activists.

“FOR LAUGHING OUT LOUD: MY LIFE AND GOOD TIMES,” by Ed McMahon with Davis Fisher; introduction by Johnny Carson, Warner Books ($23). Hi-oh! Johnny Carson’s straight man talks about his life on and off “The Tonight Show” couch.