Books as gifts

'Tis the damn season

I am not the biggest fan of Christmas, but I really love giving presents. I truly believe that there’s nothing better to give than a book, or books. Books are easy gifts, but they’re also deeply personal and thoughtful. I love nothing more than getting a book as a present, just as long as whoever has given it to me has written an inscription.

While most of the books on my shelves are ones that I’ve bought myself, I have a treasured collection of books that have been given to me. Some are from friends, others family, others from old lovers or partners. My ex-boyfriend actually showed up at our first date, a few days after my birthday, with a book that he’d inscribed, complete with happy birthday written in Irish. I still haven’t read the book (a Bill Bryson one), but I've often lifted it from the shelf to look at the inscription and smile. Similarly, an old flame gave me two books when we met for what I think may be the final time this year, long after anything romantic had happened between us, in what felt like a touching parting gesture. I haven’t read those ones either. Maybe those three will get read in 2024, but they still feel precious.

I also have books given to me by both of my parents, my mother’s all inscribed with her name and the year she bought them. One of my dearest possessions is a book of Oscar Wilde short stories that she gave me as a child, that’s marked as being from 1983, six years before I was born.

If you’re stuck for some last minute gifts, visit your local independent bookshop and talk to the booksellers. Dan and Jordan at The West Kirby Bookshop helped me with my Christmas shopping this year, and I also picked up some nice gifts for myself, which is just as important as buying for others. I also picked up the book for my book club’s festive book swap there. You can see the full stack below.

If you’re looking for something really special, you can’t do much better than The Folio Society. They’re gorgeous illustrated hardback editions of noteworthy books that feel like a treat. I’m still waiting for someone to treat me to Wuthering Heights. Outside of that, I don’t feel that comfortable giving specific recommendations. I think what make books as gifts so special is that they’re personal to you, or to the person that is giving them to you. Try and think about what the person you’re gifting would like, and if they’d resonate with a book you loved. There’s nothing nicer than discussing a book you’ve given to someone you love.

Happy holidays everyone. I probably won’t manage to run through my best books of 2023 until the new year. Endless love and happy reading. I appreciate all the kind words I've had about this newsletter, and I’ve really loved writing it. Here’s to 2024.