Welcome to my sixth annual Sassy Jane guide to genealogy and history books I recommend.

As in past years, the December issue highlights books to help your genealogy research, both building skills and learning more about the times in which our ancestors lived.

For the genealogist(s) on your shopping list, or even to treat yourself as you shop for others, here are some suggestions. (And the next time your loved one says you're hard to buy for, circle a few of these titles and look for them under the tree.)

Marmee & Louisa: The Untold Story of Louisa May Alcott and Her Mother is a fascinating look at the lives of the author of Little Women and her mother and their complex relationship.

If you have 19th-century New England ancestors, you'll especially enjoy the settings in this dual biography. The Alcotts' experiences with the Underground Railroad, the Civil War, and the abolitionist and feminist movements are skillfully drawn by author Eve LaPlante.

The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History is historian John Barry's take on the pandemic that killed at least 100 million people worldwide in 1918-1919. Chances are at least one person in your family tree was carried off during this tragic event.

The centennial of this terrible outbreak has brought renewed attention to the deadliest pandemic the world has known. At the time, medical professionals didn't even understand what a virus was, let alone how to stop it. Barry's book is an excellent look at the experiences of victims, survivors, and the people who treated them.