Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, December is always the perfect time to hang out with friends and family and exchange some presents. Here are 10+ books perfect for your favourite book lover.
The Fantasy Puzzle Book by Dr Gareth Moore & Laura Jayne Ayres
This is such an amazing concept — the book has 100 puzzles that are perfect for any fantasy fan, as readers will be solving logic puzzles, number puzzles, and mazes, while getting an epic story along the way. As such, readers will definitely feel very immersed in the storyline as they need to solve each puzzle before moving on. There are also many different types of puzzles within the book, so you won’t get bored.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
This special edition of The Lightning Thief cannot be more perfect for the fans. Featuring a simple but gorgeous cover, maps as endpapers, as well as a sprayed lightning bolt edge, the edition has so many surprises. [Spoiler alert!] There is a cover letter from when Rick Riordan submitted the manuscript, which readers can see his creativity, as well as all the myth references from The Lightning Thief so readers can seek out more original texts. The number 1 gift for people who have either grown up reading the series, or started embracing it due to the show.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
The BBC show brought in so many new fans for A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, so it’s time to introduce them to the books as well. Electric Monkey released a set of special collectors’ edition featuring covers that are infinitely cooler than the original, and sprayed edges that are so detailed and clear that we don’t even know how that’s possible… The full collectors’ edition is out now.
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Shatter Me came out more than 11 years ago, so it’s time to introduce some new readers to this phenomenal series. Say goodbye to the old covers with the eyes because the new collectors’ edition is much more beautifully designed. There are 6 full-length novels in the Shatter Me series and there are currently 3 out in the collectors’ edition, with the 4th one out in January.
Baz Luhrmann Icons of Cinema
When we hear the name Baz Luhrmann, we immediately think of his classics such as Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge!, and The Great Gatsby. But what do these films have in common? Why is it so easy for us to recognize that they are Luhrmann movies? Emily Maskell takes a deep dive in this pocket book perfect for any of his fans. Discussing the extravagant costumes, the larger-than-life romance, and the theatrical vibes, Baz Luhrmann Icons of Cinema covers it all. And don’t worry — Elvis is in here too.
London: A History by Laura Carlin
London: A History covers London’s history from the Pleistocene Epoch to Queen Elizabeth’s death. Each chapter is roughly a page or two long (after all, it would have been a massive book if it were to cover in more detail), featuring a brief description as well as relevant excerpts from historical texts, such as Orders for the Prevention of the Plague, The Canterbury’s Tales. The book is also full of colourful and whimsical illustrations. Perfect for every household.
King Alfred and the Ice Coffin by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Chris Riddell
For those who would love to read a short myth set in the Anglo-Saxon period, King Alfred and the Ice Coffin is the perfect tale. With lyrical prose by Kevin Crossley-Holland, gorgeous and fitting illustrations from Chris Riddell, this story transports readers back to the great halls in the 9th century, as if we are part of the crowd who get told this captivating story. Definitely one for readers young and old, especially since it’s always great to learn more about English history.
The Faerie Isle by Sine Quinn, illustrated by Dermot Flynn
As more and more books are based on Ireland’s folklore, readers come across creatures like selkies, changelings, and pookas a lot more often. However, some of these books assume prior knowledge. Sine Quinn is here to help with this collection, which provides descriptions of each of these creatures, as well as the Irish folklore behind them.
Nature Tales by Dawn Casey, illustrated by Anja Susanj
This is such a wonderful idea because why you can still Google mythology stories to read, it’s much more difficult to find stories that are set in the “nature” theme. Dawn Casey tackled this by gathering tales from Norway, the Himalayan mountains, Wales and more, so that children who grow up in the city would get to enjoy the nature. And for the adults, don’t worry because the sources of those tales are listed at the back.
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Levi Pinfold
Neil Gaiman is a great storyteller, and the way he retells Norse myths is perfect as usual. Originally first published in 2017, this already great collection now has illustrations by Levi Pinfold.
Norse Myths: Tales of Odin, Thor and Loki by Kevin Crossley-Holland, illustrated by Jeffrey Alan Love
Kevin Crossley-Holland is the expert when it comes to retelling Norse mythology. After all, he created The Penguin Book of Norse Myths more than 30 years ago. This edition, perfect for younger readers, features 20 stories, each one captivating and perfect with the illustrations. The paperback edition of this book came out earlier this year, making it a more affordable present at £12.99.
Tales from Beyond the Stars by Adam Roberts and Evangeline Gallagher
Featuring 7 science fiction stories, this collection retells classics by H G Wells, Mary Shelley and more. Along with the complete retellings, Tales from Beyond the Stars also features short history lessons about the genre. Priced at £20, this collection is definitely not cheap but the illustrations and colours in the book certainly make up for it. Would recommend to anyone who is interested in exploring science fiction.
