Selection of books for Christmas?

[Jolabokaflod]

I'd like to get a selection of various books for us all to read at Christmas time (image of us all sitting round the fire happily reading - reality will probably be everyone off in their rooms on their phones!).

I was thinking some light hearted reads, some non-fiction, maybe a short stories collection?

There is myself and dp, ds 21 (not much of a reader, possibly has ADHD and struggles to concentrate), dd 18 (autistic and also ADHD) and ds 15.

I'm finding it hard to think of things we might all enjoy. Naturally I have a big selection of things I might like, but not sure if they'll appeal to the teens. Dp also likes sci-fi.

Books on my list so far:

Diary of a Young Naturalist - Dara McAnulty
Nala's World - Dean Nicholson
The Salt Path - Raynor Winn

I'm struggling for fiction ideas. I thought maybe Richard Osman's book?

Anyone any ideas? My aim is for us to be able to read & share the books & maybe spark interesting conversations & discussions. Perhaps I'm being overly optimistic!

Love your festive optimism!

I have similar visions that end in Minecraft

But there is an "interactive" comic book, that is in pieces and comes apart you can sort of create your own stories.

"building stories" by Chris ware.

Chris Ware has sympathies with Asperger's/Autism views of the world. His characters can be odd. Quietly different. Perhaps a book you can look at and talk together.

One of the Peter James short stories books

If you would like a Christmas feel Hercule Poirot’s Christmas is always a good one.

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman
Most things by Gaiman actually his original Sandman graphic novels are brilliant (for the young adults)

"One Day" by David Nichols

Presume you have Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, if not they are super, very funny.

P D James does great festive murder mystery.

For the adults Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle X3 1000 pages is utterly superb, might be advisable to get Cryponomicon first as a leading book, not quite Sci-Fi but heavily influenced and Stephenson is meticulous in research and his writing is beautiful.

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a good ghost story.
Lots of books of collections on Amazon. M.R. James ones are the Victorian classic ones.
Woman in Black by Susan Hill is a good starter.

Thanks all. Lots of great suggestions.

The Chris Ware "book" sounds very interesting, and just the sort of quirky, interactive thing I was looking for. I worry however that (going by reviews) it may be too bleak? I'm not sure. Dd has enjoyed Raymond Brigg's Ethel & Ernest and Where the Wind Blows, but I suppose I'm looking for something more light-hearted? This year has been crap & I'm expecting next Jan to be even more so.

I never thought about graphic novels. DD has enjoyed some of Neil Gaiman's stuff, so that might go down well, particularly with the 15yr old. One of his short stories collections might be perfect as well.

We have HHG as well as the audio version, but haven't listened to it in a while. That might be another idea actually!

A ghost stories collection would be great for Christmas & cosy firesides!

I'll check out the other recommendations too. Thanks!

I love the idea of this - for my family though, so know I would be the only one who appreciated it.

Have you thought about those maps that are themed, like Film & TV map. Could still spark a lot of conversation but wouldn’t be as time consuming for the non-book lovers.

What about a Jon Ronson as the non fiction?

Curious Incident Of The Dog in The Nighttime seemed up be enjoyed by all ages

Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov is a quirky and an easy read but escapist.

Something by cartoonist Posy Simmonds

I actually got the idea from a poster on here a few years ago. I don't know if it was on the book threads or the Christmas threads. I never could find the post again. Also love the Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð (hence username!).

I read The Curious Incident years ago - I might dig it out and see if it might appeal to the teens. I can't really remember what it was like! I read it before we knew dd was autistic, so may have different views on it now.

Death and the Penguin sounds like it might fit the bill! Shall also look at Jon Ronson and Posy Simmonds.

I had thought about The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. However, sadly the teens' friend took his own life earlier this year so I'm not sure if this one would be appropriate. Has anyone read it?

Thanks all for the suggestions! I now have a load of Kindle samples to read through!

There's a film of Posy Simmon's book Tamara Drew. Might be fun to watch the film after reading the graphic novel.

book

“The Boy, Mole and Fox” - a modern Winnie The Pooh for adults. Its a picture book for adults.

I tried this a few years ago and will try again this year.
One book that worked for all of us was The Martian by Andy Weir (before the movie came out, so might not work as well if you've all seen it)
I was going to suggest Good Omens as well.

Place marking for more ideas.