Christmas Gift Ideas - Books

As some of you will know I used to work in publishing and so I am very much a fan of giving and receiving books. Though this has got me into trouble - I am currently desperately finding places in my already-full house to put yet another bookshelf - its an addiction I just can't seem to give up. My Amazon wishlist has got to be one of their longest.

A good cookbook or coffee table book makes a great house gift if you are going to stay with unfamiliars this Christmas. There are some great kids books in there too.

Agatha Chrisie - of course I think my favourite author should be given to everyone. If you can track down the little hardbacks they look amazing on your shelves. My recommendations are - Mrs McGinty’s Dead, Five Little Pigs and Sleeping Murder. There is an absolutely stunning illustrated edition of Murder on the Orient Express: Illustrated Edition film tie-in that is beautiful to look at let alone read.

The Christmas Chronicles - if I were only allowed to choose one cook book it would probably be this. It's festive, it's beautiful and Nigel Slater always manages to write in a way that is slightly more than just a cookbook.


The Crocodile Who Didn't Like Water - beautifully illustrated, not too long (I'm a terrible person) and the boys love it.

Heywood Hill - this is a London institution in Mayfair and they do wonderful subscription services. A great gift for the person who has everything, a tricky in-law or for a godchild. The Nancy Mitford collection will be my go-to for my goddaughter in a couple of years time.

Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients - Quick & Easy Food - the book all my foodie friends are raving about and I really want to get my hands on a copy. Love him or hate him this book seems to be working for a lot of people.

Journey: An Illustrated History of Travel- a great coffee table book that you can dip into. Really beautifully laid out and illustrated.

Lift-the-Flap General Knowledge - Ned loves this book. It's got lovely pages on lots of different subjects - the science lab, animals etc.

Menagerie: The History of Exotic Animals in England - I've wanted this book since it came out. It's the sort of thing I find fascinating.

River Cafe 30 - I love the River Cafe books for so many reasons. Even though I've only been there once I am in love with Italy, the restaurant is one of my favourites, it always feels special and the books are a visual delight even if some of the recipes aren't up my street. This book celebrates the iconic West London restaurant and would be a great present for any Londonphile.

Slinky Malinki- my 2.5 year old is obsessed with all of these and the Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy books. Very good for their speech I think.

Smallprint Books - the most beautiful selection of children’s books. A book is a great present if you’ve got to buy something for a child you don’t know very well and Jenny has sorted them by age so you can find the perfect one.

Timeless: A Century of Iconic Looks - my favourite book of the year. A must have for make-up and vintage lovers. Simply beautiful.

Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape - this is by far and away my kids favourite book. They both (2.5 and 5) love it and I'm sure the baby loves it too. Well paced and easy for them to follow we even enjoyed this... the first couple of times.

Unquiet Spirits: Whisky, Ghosts, Murder by Bonnie MacBird - a new Sherlock Holmes! and one that has been praised by Sherlock Holmes fans. Another great one for the hard-to-buy for relative. I've got it for my uncle's birthday which is on 28th December.

Why Vinyl Matters: A Manifesto from Musicians and Fans - if like me, you are a music obsessive and record collector, or indeed if you know one that needs a present then this is the book for you.