If you watch my Instagram Stories or keep up with my Goodreads Reading Challenge blog posts, you will know how much I adore reading. So, of course, I simply had to share some of the best bookish gifts and best books to gift this Christmas.
SHOP THE POST
Whether you're buying for someone who loves mystery and crime, a good romcom, a great piece of nonfiction or want to gift them something bookish as they maybe already have an overflowing TBR (to be read) list, I've got you covered in today's gift guide.
Last year both my parents shared their top book recommendations and quite a few of you let me know that you really liked this addition. So I thought that I would ask them to do the same this year. And here they are;
My Dad’s top recommendation this year: some of his favourite nonfiction books
So my Dad couldn't pick just one top recommendation when it comes to the best books to gift this Christmas. Instead he has a few that he would recommend, particularly if you find buying for one of the men in your life pretty tricky. For those interested in history or historic events, he can't suggest The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 by Garrett Graff highly enough. For those that like their nonfiction to be both funny and heartbreaking, there's Adam Kay's latest, Undoctored. And when it comes to his favourite celebrity biography of the year, it has to be What Fresh Lunacy Is This? The Authorised Biography Of Oliver Reed by Robert Sellers.
My Mum’s top recommendation this year: Verity by Colleen Hoover
My Mum tends to eventually, after quite a bit of persuasion, read some of my favourite books too. And then she asks why I didn't tell her about a particular book sooner. But her absolute favourite read this year and her pick for the best books to gift this Christmas is Verity. If you've not already read it or the person that you're buying for hasn't, I've got a feeling that they won't be able to put this book down. It's a wild ride of a book that will leave you shocked. And it would be a great option for practically anyone that you're buying for this Christmas.
SOME OF MY FAVOURITE READS THIS YEAR
If you follow me on Instagram, where I share a review of every single book that I read, or you have caught any of my 2022 Goodreads Reading Challenge roundups, you will know that there have been some standout five star reads this year. And some of them feature below. But here's a roundup of some of my other favourites since I couldn't possibly include them all in today's gift guide.
For rom com and romance fans: Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
I liked The Love Hypothesis but I loved Love on the Brain. So if the person that you're buying for has already read Ali Hazelwood's first book, this should be the perfect option for them. Levi was a great male lead and I liked their chemistry, even when they apparently ‘hate’ each other. I loved the You’ve Got Mail vibes with their back and forth. And the steamy scenes were *chef’s kiss*. The representation of women in STEM and calling out the archaic rules and realities of what it’s like for women, was handled well too.
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
I'm not normally a fan of ghost stories or anything too unbelievable. But this was definitely the exception, as Florence, the main character, would say. It's one of those rare books that I didn't want to end. Normally when I pick up a romance, I'm just counting down the pages until they get together. But with this, seeing the two get to know one another and ultimately fall for each under, with the unavoidable distance, was just done so well.
For crime and mystery fanatics: Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister
The concept of this book was so unique and had me gripped from the very beginning. And then when you weave in the chapters from Ryan's perspective, everything ended up coming together in a truly surprising and original way. Very rarely am I completely shocked or shook by a twist in a book but that happened twice in this, with the second big reveal actually making me physically gasp, I was that stunned. If you're looking for a book to completely hook someone, this is that book.
Notes On An Execution by Danya Kukafka
Another of my absolute favourite books of the year, this is unlike anything that I’ve read before. The way in which the story is told over different timelines and from the perspectives of the three women, to Ansel’s own, made this a book that I could not put down. It was also incredibly well written. The impact that one individual and their actions can have on countless lives, is both thought provoking and masterfully done. It doesn’t have crazy twists and turns. But the way in which the story unfurls over the years didn’t go exactly as I would have expected.
For non fiction and memoir fans: I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
This is easily one of the best autobiographies that I have ever read and best books to gift this Christmas. Jennette is unflinching in her honesty, both when it comes to the abuse that she experienced and the many hardships that she has overcome. But also in owning her actions. I think we all probably have a preconceived notion of what typically happens to a child star. And when you begin to comprehend what Jennette has been through simply as a child actor, it's easy to see why. Even though the subject matter is traumatic, because of the short, snappy chapters, this was so quick and easy to read. It really is completely engrossing and fantastically written.
Dear Dolly: On Love, Life and Friendship by Dolly Alderton
If you or the person that you're buying for loved both or either of Dolly Alderton's previous books, Dear Dolly is easily a must-buy. These collected highlights from her Dear Dolly agony aunt column in The Sunday Times Style cover everything from breakups and body issues, families, friendships, dating, divorce, the pleasures and pitfalls of social media, sex, loneliness, longing, love and everything in between. As always, her advice is always incredibly relatable and we also get her trademark wit. If you want to see some of the life lessons that I picked up from Dear Dolly, be sure to check out my POPSUGAR UK article, which shares exactly that.
For getting into the Christmas spirit: The Christmas Wish by Lindsey Kelk
You know how much I love a Lindsey Kelk book so I was beyond happy to see that she would be releasing a Christmas related book this year. So, when it comes to the best books to gift this Christmas, there's nothing more festive than The Christmas Wish. You may have wished that it would happen when you were younger. But imagine waking up and it's the same day over and over again; Christmas Day. And when you see how Gwen's first Christmas Day goes, you wouldn't want to relive it anytime soon. This is just such a feel good and heartwarming Christmas story that would be perfect to read over the festive period.
For those looking to get save or get better with money: Money Mum Official - Save Yourself Happy by Gemma Bird
We all know how important it is to look after every penny that we can at the moment. Which is why this book would make a great gift for a whole range of different people. Whether you have a particular saving goal in mind or are looking to save in other areas of your life to help with the rising cost of living, you'll find some great tips to follow in this incredibly handy book. With lots of practical advice, as well as templates and trackers, this is an easy to follow guide. Gemma's conversational style also makes you want to keep reading and there's none of that technical jargon that can often put people off when it comes to their finances.
Rare Birds Book Smells Candle (£20)
When I say that these are some of the strongest and most unique candles that I have ever smelled, I do not kid. You already know how much I adore Rare Birds Book Club. But did you know that they did bookish candles?
And there's truly a candle for every genre lover, from True Crime to Romantic Comedy, Ghost Story, Classics and Poetry. For would-be authors or writers, there's Writer's Block and of course, Book Snob. And if the person that you're buying for this Christmas can't get enough of the Bridgerton books or passionate period romances, Bodice Ripper is the way to go. Honestly, I can't get enough of the blend of orange, bergamot jasmine and amber in this particular one. All the Book Smells candles are hand poured in store using 100% Soy Wax, with a burn time of approximately 40 hours.Which one would you buy first?
Commodity Book (from £22)
And if you want to take the fragrance of a good book with you, let me introduce you to Commodity's Book perfume. You can choose between the Personal, Expressive and Bold 'scent spaces' when it comes to this book fragrance. But all three share the crisp, woody essence of sandalwood and cedarwood.
If you're not sure which one you will like, they do a sample kit for £12, which will allow you to try all three. I just think this would be such a lovely gift for any book lover this Christmas.
Heirloom Seals Botanical Library Book Stamp (from £32)
Whether the person that you're buying for is well on their way to having their own at-home library. Or you have a little book lover who is quickly acquiring books that you read them each evening before bed. This is such a lovely idea, particularly if you know that the person you're buying for already has an overflowing TBR list or is receiving books from other loved ones this Christmas.
You can customise exactly what you'd like it to say. And this particular stamp is also available in self-inking and striking solid brass varieties, as well as the wooden stamp but without a handle.
Know Your Place Page Marker (£5.99)
Even if the person that you are buying for has a plethora of bookmarks to choose from, I can easily say that this is the handiest and best designed bookmark that I have ever tried. After buying it when I was in Orlando earlier in the year, I had to check to see if we could get it here in the UK. And we certainly can.
It's available at a range of different retailers in both the coppery tone that I have and you can get the gorgeous gold option from Waterstones. I love that you can pinpoint the exact sentence or sometimes even the exact word that you stopped on; perfect for those times when you have to abandon your book mid page or even mid chapter.
Joanie Austen Avid Readers Club Slogan Tee in Navy (£25) - Joanie Heathcliff Wuthering Heights Slogan Sweatshirt (£45)
If you didn't already know that Joanie has a great selection of bookish wares, let me introduce you to them right now. From knits to dresses, t-shirts and sweatshirts there is something for every book lover. I personally love the Avid Readers Club design. And how beautiful is the Wuthering Heights slogan sweatshirt in that gorgeous maroon shade?
And surely wearing and showcasing your love of books on your body is the only reasonable next step when you've always got your head in a book. What do you say?
MORE BOOKISH GIFT IDEAS
So those are just some of the best books to gift this Christmas, as well as bookish gifts.
Are you shopping for anyone who loves books this Christmas? Or are you simply looking for some inspiration for yourself? And what do you think of my picks this year?
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