Blog: Bookish Gift Guide
19/12/2020
Since I’m the person who gives friends advice on what book to read next - whether they ask or not - and the suggestions are usually very much enjoyed, I feel perfectly suited to put together a bookish gift guide for you and yours. This is not specifically suited to Christmas, as timing is not a forte of mine and shops are literally closing right now, but rather books that make great gifts whether that is for last minute stocking stuffers, for birthdays, anniversaries or ‘just because’. Without further ado…
PS. Excuse the grainy quality of the photos. I’ll sort these out at some point when I master the internet…
PPS. I have linked to the Bookshop.org link for any book that is available on their site as they give a 30% profit margin to bookshops which is fair superior to any other online platform. However, two disclaimers. 1 - When you purchase a book through my affiliate link I receive a 10% share of the profit. 2. If you are buying for Christmas, Bookshop.org are no longer guaranteeing delivery in time so your best bet might be your local bookshop.
For pretty much anyone:
I was introduced to George Saunder’s Fox 8 by Ben Bailey Smith aka Doc Brown, the author, rapper, comedian and actor. A voracious reader, he said that Fox 8 had been been a tonic for his family in the middle of a stressful house move. I read it in under an hour and understood exactly what he meant.
Fox 8 is a short story with gorgeous illustrations by Chelsea Cardinal. It’s about a fox, his fascinations with humans and an adventure. What it’s not is a purely feel good story, which is why I wouldn’t categorise it as a children’s book. It’s actually a fairly brutal story that looks at how we treat wildlife and the environment. However it also contains an element of hope as well as an inventive writing style (the fox is writing the book, bad spelling and all) that makes it a pleasurable and touching reading experience.
For anyone interested in own voices stories about the immigrant experience:
I would slightly lean towards suggesting this book is well suited for women in particular but perhaps that because it was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize this year and because I loved it.
Dominicana is a book set in the 1960s, based in both the Dominican Republic and NYC. Told from the point of view of fifteen year old Ana Cancion, it follows her experience of marrying an older man and moving to New York in order to help build a life that will eventually allow her to send for the rest of her family. Based on the experiences of the author’s Mother, the book is touching, full of life and grittily realistic. Ana’s is a uniquely dynamic voice and I found reading the novel to really challenge my perceptions in a way other immigration stories haven’t.
For someone who likes complex stories and doesn’t mind getting angry:
Next year Fredrik Backman’s Beartown will come out on HBO and, eventually I hope, will be out over here in the UK. So this is a great book to get for someone to read before it hits the screen.
I think Backman’s previous novel A Man Called Ove is better known here in the UK. Beartown however is one of my favourite reads. A sprawling tale, it’s set in an ailing fictional Swedish town where the hockey team is key to its future economic revival. When the star player is accused of the rape of a 15 year old girl the tale takes a much darker turn with Backman examining the choices people make when everything they’ve worked for is at stake. There’s also a sequel that my Mum tells me is even better.
For anyone interested in the ethical and human issues around abortion and women’s rights in the USA:
The key point in Jodi Picoult’s A Spark of Light is that human lives don’t fit into the black and white that abortion laws demand. Set in a women’s health centre during a hostage takeover, it’s told from the point of view of various characters, from the doctors and pro-life protesters to the women waiting for treatment. While I haven’t retained much of the individual character storylines, two aspects of the novel have stayed with me. One is quite simply the research that Picoult put into understanding the process of abortion. One scene in particular is so visceral that is really forced me to consider the reality of abortion. The other thing I loved was how everyone’s stories overlapped, regardless of their stance on abortion. For me, this was an interesting way to explore these issues further.
For someone who wants to laugh and laugh and laugh (and feel a little warm inside - in numerous ways)
After her twitter thread in which she imagined being married to Jurgen Klopp went viral, comedian Laura Lexx landed a book deal to expand it into a book. This is the funny, naughty, heart-warming result. A short read, Klopp Actually follows Laura’s imaginary marriage to Klopp and their life together, along with their daughter Klipp. While there is a narrative that links to Laura’s examination of her own anxieties, the majority of the book is made up of little scenes that usually end up with imaginary Klopp saying something sensible followed by evermore hilarious metaphors for the sexual congress that follows!
For someone interested in the transgender experience and family stories:
I thought this was a beautiful exploration of a family responding to an unexpected change in their lives. Raising a house full of sons, doctor Rosie and writer Penn are thrown for a loop when Claude announces he is a she, and she is called Poppy. What makes this book stand out for me compared to other ‘transgender stories’ is that the focus is always on the parents supporting Poppy in any way they can. What follows is a tale of parents trying to balance the needs of all their children simultaneously and fighting against a system that is trying to change and be empathetic but is struggling to evolve beyond the binary.
For anyone who likes a good psychological thriller:
I think this was my favourite thriller of the year. Liz, a doctor, has been growing apart from her friend Jess for a while. But when Jess turns up at her A&E in the middle of the night with her baby Betsey suffering a brain injury, Liz is shocked that her superiors find gaps in Jess’ story and call Child Services. As a desperate battle for Betsey’s health and custody ensues, Jess’ behaviour becomes ever stranger.
I loved this thriller. The first chapter was a difficult read with violence against a baby and I nearly put it down. From the second chapter however it segues into the story proper and I was completely enthralled. No spoilers here but, for me, this was a masterful exploration of the human brain and what happens when things go wrong.
For your sci-fi/apocalyptic novel/dystopian fiction reader:
This is a bit of a left field pick from me, partly because it’s sci fi which is not a normal genre for me and partly because I haven’t yet actually finished it. However, I’ve heard from reliable sources that it’s good even after you finish it and if you’re buying for a sci fi or dystopian fiction lover this may be a good pick. I’m reading it as part of a book club choice and, despite some early reservations, I’m finding it a really good entry book into discovering the genre.
For anyone who loves a memoir…
I love a memoir and this year’s choice is Njambi McGrath’s Through the Leopard’s Gaze. It’s a beautifully written book about her experiences growing up in Kenya with an abusive father and her journey of escape. It’s a book that celebrates tenacity, culture and the strength of women. It’s already been optioned for a TV series so give the book a read first to hear the story told in Njambi’s own words.