366 DAYS IN WOBEGON
Even if Garrison Keillor's mournful voice sets your teeth grinding, you'll want "Lake Wobegon 2008" for your brother-in-law, your best friend from college or the postman (if you're the type who doles out tips on Boxing Day). The calendar's black-and-white vintage images are by Tom Arndt, a big-deal photographer whose friendship with Keillor goes way back to when both were local nobodies. His affectionate photos of a barber-violinist, small-town celebrations and an old-fashioned radio (of course), are the essence of Wobegon. Keillor's homey wit is salted throughout this chuckle-inducing calendar, as in this entry for Jan. 16 that sums up Wobegonians: "We are fond of storm fronts, know nothing about fashion, say our prayers, cook with butter, prefer silence to small talk, believe there is moral value in suffering, and know how to drive on ice." ($15; www.prairiehome.org and local bookstores) MARY ABBE
