If you're struggling looking for last-minute gifts for the pop culture fan in your life, here's a few book suggestions:


"Nothing to Lose: The Making of KISS:" Oral history books seem to be the fad these days, and if there's a KISS fan in your life, this is must-read, especially with the announcement this week the over-the-top iconic band will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The book chronicles KISS' rise to stardom from 1972 to 1975, and there huge hit album Alive!  The big two - Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons - are quoted throughout, and there's plenty of vintage photos and concert posters included. 

"Pulp Fiction: The Complete Story of Quentin Tarantino's Masterpiece:" This might look like a coffee table book, but it's more than that. It's comparable to Tarantino film: a bit bizarre, but very entertaining. The book, penned by Jason Bailey, covers Tarantino rise in the industry and all angles of Pulp Fiction.There's sidebars galore throughout, my favorite being a two-page chart listing the events of the film in chronological order. If you're wondering if it's revealed what was in Marcellus Wallace's briefcase, you'll have to read to find out.

"Terminator Vault: The Complete History Behind the Making of The Terminator and Terminator 2: Judgemont Day:" Fans of the Terminator films will be salivating to get their hands on this fun book. It's loaded with rare photos, storyboard art and the back story behind both films. What's really cool and a bang for your buck are the trinkets inside. They include reprints of on-set photos, posters, and portions of the script written on a legal pad.

"The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2014:"  Have you ever tried lugging around an encyclopedia-type book? It's not much fun, but there's no such problem with the 2014 edition of the World Almanac. It's a tad larger than a paperbook, but the 1,008 pages are crammed with every bit of information imaginable. At the very worst, it's the perfect companion to help jumpstart a dull party by wowing your friends with useful or useless information.

- Mark Podolski | @mpodo