Christmas gift guide: books

Presents for everybody - see all categories in our Christmas gift guide

Storyteller

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The authorised biography of Roald Dahl, one of the greatest storytellers of all time. "Irresistible,\' says Dahl\'s Illustrator Quentin Blake. \'I thought I knew quite a lot about Roald Dahl, but now I know much much more. Donald Sturrock\'s book lucidly describes a complicated life and relates it to the richness of Dahl\'s storytelling."

£19.99 (rrp £25)
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Presents for everybody - see all categories in our Christmas gift guide

Chin Up, Britain

winter,Christmas,cheer me up,books to read Chin Up, Britain book cover

Its stated aim on the cover is \'restoring common sense to the nation\' but, as it\'s written by Jenny Eclair (with a bit of help from Judith Holder), its approach is both helpful and hilarious. Expect snorts of laughter upon reading such advice as \'lots of stairs and a poor memory = nicely toned legs\' in the \'Use your home as a gym\' section. Other entertaining sections include \'Public transport manners\' and \'Don\'t bring back\'... an anti-nostalgia list of past horrors, including half-day closing, Bri-nylon sheets and old-fashioned sanitary towels.

\'Chin Up, Britain\' by Jenny Eclair (Headline, £9.99)

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Empty Family by Colm Tòibìn

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Surely one of the best contemporary writers publishing today, this award-winning Irish author adds a collection of short stories to his literary output; from Pakistan to Dublin, the collection contains whole worlds, with themes ranging from home to family to history.

£14.99 (RRP 17.99)

Presents for everybody - see all categories in our Christmas gift guide

True Grit

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With the highly anticipated Coen Brothers\' adaptation of True Grit hitting cinemas in the New Year, now is the perfect time to read the book. Considered by many to be one of the great American novels, we see through the eyes of fourteen-year-old Mattie Ross\' whose father was shot and killed, and follow the captivating story of how she and hard-drinking Marshal Rooster Cogburn set out to find and prosecute his murderer.

£7.99

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\'The Homemade Home\', by Sania Pell (Cico, £16.99)

Presents for everybody - see all categories in our Christmas gift guide

The Homemade Home

Christmas,feeling creative,books to read,home makes The Homemade Home

It\'s subtitled \'50 thrifty and chic handmade projects\' and it certainly lives up to that. But it should also say stylish, because there are truly covetable things to make in here, from the downright practical (storage jar labels) to the delightfully fanciful (butterfly-covered curtains). And several of the projects, such as the stitched portraits, let you demonstrate your artistic skills - whether you have any or not!

Browse our online bookshop for Christmas gift ideas

Presents for everybody - see all categories in our Christmas gift guide

Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

winter,Christmas,books to read,emotional wellbeing Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Elizabeth Gilbert\'s Eat Pray Love has not only become an international bestseller, it is now a major motion picture starring Julia Roberts. Having made the decision to leave her husband, Gilbert set out on an amazing journey taking in Rome, India and Bali in an attempt to find herself again. Inspirational and a fantastic read, every woman should read this book.

£7.99

Presents for everybody - see all categories in our Christmas gift guide

Human Chain by Seamus Heaney

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Nobel Prize winning poet Seamus Heaney has just published a new collection to tremendous acclaim; a gorgeous gift to browse, which will be a treasured possession for years to come.

£12.99

Presents for everybody - see all categories in our Christmas gift guide

Cook up a feast

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Queen of baking Mary Berry and TV cook Lucy Young bring you 150 recipes for party cooking, including some fabulous bakes. A classic book gift for any foodie type.

£14 (rrp £20)
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Presents for everybody - see all categories in our Christmas gift guide

For budding authors

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Aspiring writers will enjoy this lavish coffee table photobook, featuring interviews with 30 authors on the writing life, alongside stylish black and white photography. Featured writers include Barbara Trapido, Esther Freud and Minette Walters.

£12.99, from the All About You bookshop (RRP £15.99)

Tokyo Vice

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Detailing the years that investigative reporter Jake Adelstein spent covering crime for the biggest newspaper in Tokyo, this stunning book exposes the murky world of drugs, gangs and the bane of the Yamaguchi-gumi, Japan\'s largest Mafia outfit.

£8.99

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Beatrix Potter\'s A Very Naughty Rabbit

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A great introduction to the world of Beatrix Potter - a collection of classic tales following some of her naughtiest characters.

£14.99

Learning for young children

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Young children following Driver Dan\'s escapades on BBC\'s Cbeebies will love Dan\'s book collection of colourful board books, picture stories, novelty books and activity and sticker books, all designed to help pre-school children learn.

From £3.99

Noisy Noisy Christmas

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A multi-sound book with a different Christmassy noise on every page; featuring rhyming text and classic themes like Santa coming down the chimney and the reindeer pulling his sleigh.

£8.99