if you are trying to finish up holiday shopping and are looking for ideas, or if you're in need of a new read yourself, you can't go wrong with listening is an act of love, a book that came from the amazing storycorps project.

you will laugh and cry and just be generally amazed at the stories of people who don't usually have their stories told.  it's phenomenally inspiring.

the book begins with a quote from american folklorist, alan lomax:

"the essence of america lies not in the headlined heroes...but in the everyday folks who live and die unknown, yet leave their dreams as legacies."