'Tis the Season to be Booky tralalalala la la la laaa
Whenever Christmas comes around, I find myself saying the word 'Tis' a lot more often. 'Tis the season after all. And it's actually quite satisfying and fun... and a little annoying.
ANYWAY. Off topic.
Well not really.
But...
Christmas is great. All those who deny it are Scrooges and moody people. When Christmas comes around I am Will Ferrell in Elf. I am annoyingly happy, I smell of mulled wine all the time (this doesn't mean I'm an alcoholic..). I dress myself in tinsel throughout the whole of December and I start wearing Christmas jumpers as soon as it gets cold.. If you've stopped reading this now then I don't blame you because writing this is making me realise how annoying I must be...
SO. Without further ado. I give unto you, my Christmas bookish suggestions that will make you all merry and bright and all that.
1. Fantastic Beasts And Where to Find Them by J. K Rowling
I'm sure most of you have seen the film. I'm sure most of you swooned over Eddie Redmayne. But this script-book companion is the perfect gift for those who have or those who have not seen the film. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and because it is a script it makes for easy, digestable, post-Christmas lunch reading. Hooray!
2. A Street Cat Named Bob by James Bowen
There's something about animals, isn't there? You just can't deny wanting them in any shape or form. And this is book is no exception. With the film having been released last month, this book seems like a great gift or a great Christmas read to any animal / cat-loving friends. It's also got a lovely, heart-warming message surrounding it: that you can find friends and those who will help you through tough times in very unexpected places and... forms. Plus, Bob is actually adorable. And James's story is heartbreaking and really makes you realise what it must be like living on the streets.
3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (illustrated edition) by J. K Rowling
I'm breaking the rules. I have two books by the same author on the same list. #sacrilege. But you know what? I feel this is necessary. The illustrated edition of the Philsopher's Stone came out last year and it was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Now, after a rather mad Harry Potter year, the Chamber of Secrets has been released and my oh my has it been worth the wait.
It has all of the wonderful and charming things we loved about Harry Potter, but now it's decorated with gorgeous illustrations by Jim Kay. It brings a whole new reading experience to a book that has pretty much conquered every corner of the globe and every person to those who love reading and those who have only read those books. Harry Potter is now able to span all generations - from children listening to the story and seeing the illustrations before bedtime to adults (like me) crying over the familiarity of a story that made us fall in love with reading. Despite the fact that it's more expensive, it's definitely worth the money. It's absolutely gorgeous and something you definitely wouldn't mind opening on Christmas day.
4. Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence
Having just been shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Awards 2016, this book is sure to be one to read this Christmas. It's different and quirky and told from a character's perspective that we should have more perspective on. Everything about this book is amazing from the cover, to the title, to the author, to the content, to the humour. Patrice Lawrence, we salute you!
5. American Pastoral by Philip Roth
Now, I know what you're thinking. Bit dark for a Christmas book list. And normally I would agree, but I had to put this book on here because a) I have never felt so emotionally ripped apart after reading a book and b) it's one of the most profound books I've ever read.
It's helped having the boost of the film (hence the cover and hence how I found out about it), but this book will blow your mind. It follows the Swede, a perfect boy who was kind and popular and married Miss New Jersey and they had a beautiful baby girl with a name that even tried to make her sound happy: Merry. But Merry rips their lives apart when, at the age of sixteen, she plants a bomb in their local post office, killing a local doctor and splattering the incident across American news. The story follows the destruction of the family following an incident that shakes the whole of America. It's probably one of the best books I've ever read. So, if you're looking for a slightly more depressing and head exploding kind of read this Christmas, go for it.
6. Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness by Marie Tourell Soderberg
I keep seeing this hygge stuff everywhere and for so long I didn't know what it was or why it was always on bookshelves, but it's actually a really cool concept, and it's PERFECT for Christmas.
'Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) is a Danish word that is a feeling or mood that comes taking genuine pleasure in making ordinary, every day moments more meaningful, beautiful or special. Whether it’s making coffee a verb by creating a ritual of making it then lingering over a cup to a cosy evening in with friends to the simple act of lighting a candle with every meal. Hygge is being aware of a good moment whether it’s simple or special.'
Marie Tourell Soderberg's book is a guide on how to embrace hygge: how to cook, decorate and bring hygge into your life. It's a lovely book and the cover is just the most hygge thing too, so if you manage to get a moment this Christmas, spend it engrossed in this lovely book about lovely moments.
7. Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult
On Amazon, this book is called: To Kill A Mockingbird for the 21st Century. And they're not wrong. This book is one powerful punch to the face. And not a pleasant punch. Not because the book itself isn't great (I think it's arguably one of Jodi's best books) but because the subject matter and the reality that racism is inherent in all of us really, REALLY hits home. A great book. A great title and bold cover. A great gift choice for anyone who likes reading books that will make you think and possibly cry. NOT just mums and women.
8. A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig
I mean, it has the word Christmas on it.
This is actually a really lovely book and Matt Haig has really hit the twitterverse and the book world running with his political and beautiful tweets about mental health and his books with sporadic subject matter. I loved The Humans and Reasons to Stay Alive and this is just as good. Definitely a good read, not just for adults, but for all.
9. Bridget Jones' Baby by Helen Fielding
So there was a lot of confusion when the new film came out because the third book Helen Fielding released was a HELL of a lot different to Mad About the Boy. Turns out, the third book and the third film weren't actually linked in subject matter - I think Mad About the Boy is set WAY after the events of Bridget Jones's Baby. BUT ANYWAY. This is a lovely treat for those who have long-related and have been long-awaiting the next installment in the Bridget Jones series. It has the usual punchy humour we're so accustomed to and plenty of Mr Darcy. Oo-er.
10. Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Cleave
Ah. This book. THIS book. What a fine creation. And OH MY GOD. If you haven't read this and you're going to, nip to Boots and buy a box of tissues for the LOVE of God.
Everyone Brave is Forgiven has been out since April 2016. But the paperback is coming in at the end of December (with a gorgeous new rejacket) and it is sure to hit with an even bigger storm.
It's a war story with a romance thread based on Chris Cleave's grandparents correspondence during the Siege of Malta. It's heartbreaking and moving and one of the best books I've read this year. A perfect gift for someone who enjoys historical fiction written by a literary genius.
You can read my review of Everyone Brave here.
And that's it from me. Merry Christmas and Bonne Noel and all that. Be sure to be merry and eat plenty of mince pies my lovely book-lovers!