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Original poster

What books are you asking for this Christmas?

30 replies

Unbridezilla · 01/12/2022 21:05

Usually a substantial part of my Christmas wish list is books. Predominantly fiction, but this year I am struggling for ideas. So, for inspiration, what is on your lists?

OP posts:
littlepeas · 10/12/2022 10:02

Place marking for inspiration.

If you like non-fiction, I have just read a fantastic book:

The Roaring Girls by Holly Kyte

MassiveSaladWithChristmasTrimmings · 10/12/2022 12:46

I tend to ask for art or history books as they aren't something that I would just pop in and buy, as they're usually too expensive to justify as an impulse purchase.

A lovely Christmas present I received last year was a 12 month subscription to Persephone books. It was bought for me and they then sent me a catalogue to choose from.

I agree with a PP who mentioned box sets. I have the James Herriot series on my list and if they don't come in a box, I'm sure the donor will put them in one!

MsAmerica · 11/12/2022 21:46

JaninaDuszejko · 03/12/2022 09:55

The world has changed. Families live far apart and don't know each other as well as they used to, Christmas is increasingly consumerist, many of us already have more than we need and don't want to waste more of the world's resources giving and receiving gifts that are not wanted and won't be appreciated. Yet others are struggling and would rather get something they need than a luxury they don't.

So different families approach this in different ways,some have 'no gifts for adults' (always rather unfair for those who don't have children), some have secret santa and a budget limit and some of us with families who refuse to do either of those we have wish lists of books so we get a token gift we actually want.

Show quote history

Sorry, but I disagree.

1.If a family exchanges presents, that's usually because they keep in touch. If they keep in touch, then it's the giver's "job" to note what people might like.

2.Gifts shouldn't necessarily be what the person already wants, as the person could buy that himself. Gifts can also be, wonderfully, something new, something unexpected, something to push the recipient off well-worn paths. I was delighted to turn a non-reader into a reader by carefully giving him books over the course of a year or two that I was pretty sure would interest him, even though he would have said previously that he would neither want nor appreciate books.

3.It's relatively easy to buy gifts that can be returned or exchanged.

Personally, I consider that asking for a present not only is offensive, but destroys any pleasure for the giver.

YewandOak · 11/12/2022 22:06

Nightwalking: Four Journeys into Britain After Dark by John Lewis-Stempel- my son has ordered this one for me.

Paranormal Bristol by Selena Wright

AngelaBrazilNuts · 11/12/2022 22:52

MsAmerica · 11/12/2022 21:46

Sorry, but I disagree.

1.If a family exchanges presents, that's usually because they keep in touch. If they keep in touch, then it's the giver's "job" to note what people might like.

2.Gifts shouldn't necessarily be what the person already wants, as the person could buy that himself. Gifts can also be, wonderfully, something new, something unexpected, something to push the recipient off well-worn paths. I was delighted to turn a non-reader into a reader by carefully giving him books over the course of a year or two that I was pretty sure would interest him, even though he would have said previously that he would neither want nor appreciate books.

3.It's relatively easy to buy gifts that can be returned or exchanged.

Personally, I consider that asking for a present not only is offensive, but destroys any pleasure for the giver.

Show quote history

I agree to an extent-after all, why not just pop money in a card?

However, I make a list of books that I would like and my husband chooses from that, so there is still a surprise factor and me and the pleasure of choosing for him.

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