Happy December! We are officially entering the most wonderful time of the year. There are Christmas markets to explore, hot chocolates to drink, carols to sing and, most alarmingly, presents to wrap. The multitude of options and the thought of battling Christmas crowds can make buying gifts for your loved ones feel like an impossible task. But do not worry because if in doubt, get them a book!
For the thrill seekers
For your fearless family and friends, a thriller book is the perfect gift to provide an adrenaline rush that lasts from Christmas to New Year.
The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager
When Casey — a recently widowed actress — flees to her family’s lake house to escape the spotlight, she passes the time by gazing at the people in the house across the lake. But what starts as innocently watching a seemingly perfect couple go about their day quickly turns sinister when Casey notices that the wife has disappeared… and she suspects that the husband is to blame.
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
Sarah is a successful lawyer who seems to have everything — the perfect career, the perfect house and the perfect marriage. That is until she finds out that her husband is having an affair, and his mistress has just been found dead. Now, Sarah must take on the most challenging case of her career so far, proving that her husband isn’t a murderer.
For the hopeless romantics
Christmas is the season for love! For the people who have Love Actually on repeat from November 1st and exclusively listen to All I Want for Christmas is You, a romance novel could be the ideal present!
Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter
Liz and Wes are next-door neighbours who have been annoying each other since they were kids. From parking in each other’s spaces to decapitating garden gnomes, they go out of their way to make each other’s lives difficult. However, when Liz needs Wes’s help getting his friend’s attention, they have no choice but to spend time together. What could possibly go wrong?
Funny Story by Emily Henry
Daphne and Miles are roommates who met each other through less-than-ideal circumstances — Daphne’s boyfriend cheated on her with Miles’s girlfriend. In a bid to prove to their exes that they are doing fine without them, the two decide to make it look like they are having fun by posting together on social media. But as it turns out, pretending to be happy has never been easier.
For the curious minds
Gifting a non-fiction book is great because you can easily tailor it to the interests of the recipient. From music to sports and nature to cooking, even non-readers will find something they love in this genre.
Just Kids by Patti Smith
This memoir tells the story of artist Patti Smith from her earliest memories in Chicago to her rise as a singer-songwriter in New York. It paints a vibrant picture of the 1970s art scene and highlights the complexities of creativity, love and most notably, her transformative relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
The Sisterhood by Daisy Buchanan
In this book, journalist Daisy Buchanan discusses her experiences growing up with five sisters. She shares anecdotes from her childhood, including tales from school, family holidays and Christmases over the years. In between these stories, there are dedicated chapters to each of her sisters that are equally hilarious and heartwarming.
For the armchair detectives
For the true crime obsessed in your life, a mystery novel is the best way to give them not only a perfect present but also a case to crack over the festive period.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
The town where Pip lives was forever changed when a local girl was murdered at the hands of her boyfriend. However, when Pip begins looking into the case for a school project, she begins to suspect that the real killer may still be out there, and they will go to any length to stop Pip from uncovering the truth of what happened that day.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Four residents of a quiet retirement village meet up weekly to investigate unsolved murders and cold cases. However, when a shocking murder takes place close to home, the group finds themselves presented with their first-ever ongoing investigation, and they are determined to get to the bottom of it.
For the TV lovers
If you know someone who is glued to their TV screen, gifting them a book that has been adapted into a show or a film is a wonderful way to open their eyes to the fact that the book will always be better than the movie.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Connell and Marianne grew up in the same town and attended the same school, but despite this, they have little in common. While Connell is popular, Marianne is a social outcast. However, a seemingly unimportant conversation between the two cements them in each other’s lives and sparks a complex dynamic that will follow them through to adulthood.
The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
When the maid of honour in a luxurious Nantucket wedding is found dead hours before the big day, the entire wedding party becomes suspects in her murder. The police begin diving into everyone’s lives and, in the process, reveal some dark secrets and shocking revelations that lead them to the killer.