Books for Christmas presents - your ideas please

[Dunlurking]

I’m looking for inspiration for books for Christmas presents please. What have people read this year that they will be buying for others? What haven’t you read that you are buying for someone? What have you read that you won’t be buying for anyone else?

One that I’ve read that is going to both my dsils is Francis Spufford’s Golden Hill
One I haven’t yet read but will shamelessly borrow is going to my df and that is Ben Macintyre’s SAS:Rogue Heroes
One I’m not buying for anyone else is Robert Harris’s Conclave – short and not up to his usual standard, although I liked the concept.

I'm in need of more ideas please, especially for women in their 70s, and young people 16-25 age group and my dh, who likes political comedy "stuff". Thanks.....

I'm currently reading The Virago Book of Women Travellers and am surprised at how good it is, it is a collection of extracts from 50 different writers spanning 300 years.

Also, again mostly for the women, have you had a look at Persephone books ?

Thanks Tempah The first one sounds one for my Christmas wish list! Persephone books sounds very promising. I'm in London next week so might even be able to pop into the shop for a browse.

So far I've bought "Can You Solve My Problems" by Alex Bellos for ex-H and ex-ILs (sounds pointed, but it's actually a book of maths and logic problems for them to enjoy over their mince pies!)

I've got a graphic novel, "The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage" but can't quite decide who to give it to yet - whichever of the potential recipients doesn't get it will probably get Lexicon, which is a sci-fi thriller-y novel recommended to me on the 50 books thread.

If your DH likes non-fiction, he might like Nothing is True and Everything is Possible: Adventures in Modern Russia - frankly it's as much if not more entertaining and improbable than any novel.

The puzzle book sounds interesting. I've just bought the GCHQ one, for someone, not sure who yet. I like the sound of the Russia one for my dh. Thanks Sadik

I'm buying Heresy by SJ Parris for my dad, in his 70s, as he likes the Shardlake books but has read all of those so thought I'd try these as they are also historical crime fiction and were recommended to me on here.

Mum in her 60s likes Carole Matthews and Cathy Kelly books, but this year she's getting Tom Jones's autobiography as she's a fan.

My dh is getting Bruce Springsteen's autobiography, and a biography of Juergen Klopp.

The Bruce Springsteen autobiography is great, Satsuki, and you can buy the audio version - he's got just the voice for it.

I need something for my Dad. He likes history, politics, biographies, film. He also likes Bill Bryson style travel books.

I read a page or two of the Bruce and thought the style was great and can well imagine it in his voice. I'll be borrowing it after

Oh and I haven't read any that buying. Of those I've read:

I would recommend HHhH for history/Ww2. Excellent book. Also The Revenant was a great read and based on true events. Wild West adventure.

I would suggest The Circle by Dave Eggars for the 16-25 age group, a good read and prescient on social media use and what it means for the future. Going to be a film next year. Also David Mitchell Slade House v good.

The Pedant in the Kitchen for anyone who enjoys cooking and funny writing about it.

Think I'm going to get His Bloody Project for my dad and maybe Red Rising for my brother. Maybe the Leon veggie cookery book for dp.

Satsuki thanks for the tip about The Circle. It might be good for ds.

I really enjoyed The Light Between Oceans by ML Stedman. It's currently out as a film, with Michael Fassbender. It has beautiful descriptions of the sea & what it's like to live in a lighthouse. Features a couple that have several miscarriages & descriptions of the emotional pain involved so need to be a bit sensitive about who you give it to.