Books aren’t just for Christmas and you should never judge a book by its cover — but some editions just beg to be gifted. (That includes self-gifting by the way; most of them are cheaper than a takeaway.) I love collecting beautiful books and coffee table books — particularly second hand ones (the tattier the better) — and I get so excited when I discover a new set of editions, with their own idiosyncratic covers. On my own Christmas wish list this year are a handful of McNally editions and this cook book from Cafe Cecilia. (Might use it to cook, might just enjoy leafing slowly through its elegant pages.)
Here is a non-exhaustive list (I could have gone on for days) of comely editions that I would love to give as presents and whose covers make me glow with happiness. The best bit about gifting these books is that it really doesn’t matter if the recipient reads them, because all of them are so lovely to look at, and to keep on display, that they will be delighted to receive them anyway. And yes, I had a lot of fun photographing books in different rooms of my house, because nature abhors a vacuum — and Pandora adores all forms of creative procrastination.
These MinaLima editions of classic fairytales are such a good christening present/ kid present if you don’t want to gift tat. My kids have been building up a sweet collection over the years. They are so beautifully made, too
I wrote about these two books recently, in a post on awe. I like to gift hopeful book for Christmas and these feel optimistic inside and out
My dad has been giving me old books since I was small - and now he’s started doing the same with my kids. They come with stories of their own, bearing inscriptions inside — “dear jane”, dated 1917! He buys them from rare book dealers, but they don’t have to be expensive. Try Oxfam (their online store is great), eBay and high street antiquarian shops, which are surprisingly numerous in the UK. Also: Country House (although I don’t like the ‘by the metre’ thing) and Any Amount of Books
Not the first time I’ve offered up The Golden Mole, definitely not the last: it is still my favourite book to gift. On the right is the same book, but in its American jacket. A tad confusing, but titled, I imagine, to compliment Rundell’s best-selling novel for kids, Impossible Creatures
Laurie Colwin’s having a renaissance — as she should be! I love W&N’s reissued jackets in complimentary tones: a very effective marketing tool which ensures you buy all three
Sorry not sorry! What Writers Read is stocking-filler sized, stuffed full of famously brilliant novelists and all the profits go to The National Literacy Trust. Hardback on left, paperback on right, both delicious
I bought two copies of What Writers Read. One copy for me and one as a gift. The hardback is especially pretty so I will keep that one for me!😊
I read Maurice a couple of years ago and enjoyed it! Touching and poignant, would recommend