When I worked at a bookstore and people asked me this same question, I always asked what movies their recipients liked.
If they liked Indiana Jones, for example, I suggested Sahara, by Clive Cussler because Dirk Pitt (the hero) has that same dry humor, and the story falls along the lines of an Indiana Jones plot.
If they liked Star Wars or Terminator, I recommended Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.
Mysteries: Dennis Lehane (Darkness, Take My Handis 1st in series)
Carol O'Connell (Mallory's Oracle is the 1st)
Andrew Vachss has a very edgy, dark series featuring Burke, an anti-hero
John Gilstrap (he wrote Nathan's Run, which was turned into a movie that was NOT like the book)
Philosophical--Man's Search for Meaningby Viktor Frankl
Whimsical--Diaries of Adam and Eve by Mark twain (Fair Oaks version only)
Funny--anything by Christopher Moore
(Practical Demonkeeping, Lamb, Island of the Sequined Love Nun, etc.)
Also funny--Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series
Carl Hiaasen
Mary Janice Davidson's Undead series is hilarious.
general fiction:
Jodi Picoult
Fantasy: Seventh Son by Orson Scott Card (Alvin the Maker series)
Firestarter by Stephen King is excellent to lure someone in. :P
Thanks Stacy!
Read12, 2009