Curated reads: the art of gift giving

This week, I wanted to ease into the festive period. While it may be December, I didn’t want to jump straight to collating all the Christmas books I could find. Instead, I’m focusing on gift-giving (although I also completely endorse buying these books for yourself). I may be biased, seeing as I write a book column, but receiving a book as a present is one of the best feelings. The time taken to choose a story makes for a very thoughtful gift. However, being on the reverse can be daunting. What if the book you gift isn’t enjoyed? To help with that, this week I’ve compiled the ultimate recommendations of books for every person you need to buy for.

For the history lovers

We’re starting off with the people whose Roman Empire is the Roman Empire. Rome: a History in Seven Sackings by Matthew Kneale describes how Rome has been under attack over the centuries, spanning from Julius Caesar to the Nazis. This recommendation comes from my brother, whom I gifted this book to last Christmas. For those more interested in Greek mythology, Mythos by Stephen Fry is a beautiful book of re-tellings of many myths and legends. The 2017 and 2023 editions also include illustrations, either by classical paintings or the author himself, respectively, making it the perfect gift.

For the music lovers

The best music book for your loved one will be one of an artist you know they love. However, for those who just love music, there are a few great options. 1964: Eyes of the Storm by Sir Paul McCartney is an archive of photos from the Beatlemania era. Fiction fans may prefer the popular choice of Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins-Reid, telling the story of a 70s band’s journey to fame. The Eras Tour Book by Taylor Swift will also be released soon to mark the end of the tour, making it the perfect gift for the Swiftie in our life (we all have one).

For the sports lovers

From football, to cricket, to golf, there is certainly a book to cover every sport imaginable. My picks for the best gifts are mainly autobiographies, opting for the untold stories of well-known events. For example, Last Boy of ’66: My story of England’s World Cup winning team by Sir Geoff Hurst makes an excellent pick. Similarly, Olympian Katarina Johnson-Thompson’s autobiography Unbroken details the highs and lows of her career, from the 2012 London Games to her world championship wins in 2019 and 2023. For the Formula 1 fans, How to Win a Grand Prix by Bernie Collins is a great option: it covers team strategies and decisions from a former head of race strategy for Aston Martin.

For the pop culture lovers

Whether it’s celebrity gossip or TikTok influence, there’s something got every pop culture aficionado. The Barbie: The World Tour coffee table book features the outfits worn by Margot Robbie on the Barbie press tour, all recreating famous Barbie looks across the years. Compiled by the actress and her stylist, Andrew Mukamal, it’s perfect for a fashion or film lover. With the rise of BookTok, a popular series such as A Court of Thorn and Roses by Sarah J. Maas or any Emily Henry book (although my favourite is Book Lovers) is sure to keep them up to date with trends.

For the cooks and bakers

Cookbooks are especially suited to gift-giving: they’re practical and personal. You can opt for a more traditional cookbook such as A Modern Cook’s Year by Anna Jones, which is both stunning and incredibly useful, with over 250 recipes sorted seasonally. Conversely, you could choose something a bit more nuanced, like One Pot, One Portion by Eleanor Wilkinson, a debut cookbook catered at people that cook for just themselves and hate washing up. Similarly, Claire Dinhut’s The Condiment Book is a book that covers, you guessed it, condiments – perfect for the chef that already has a stacked cookbook collection.

For the book lovers

The bookworms are possibly the hardest group to buy for, but buying books is half the fun with them in mind! For your female friends, Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton remains a classic: it’s the pinnacle of female friendship and love. The new gifting edition makes it extra special. Additionally, book lovers will adore a Penguin Classic: they’re a timeless option. If you’re looking for something a bit different, Sylvia Plath’s Tomato Soup Cake is an excellent idea. It’s an anthology of classic author’s favourite recipes, it includes foods such as salad from Agatha Christie, chicken from Joan Didion, and cake from George Orwell. Finally, the 2024 Booker Prize winner Orbital by Samantha Harvey: part science fiction, part philosophical drama, it’s set to become a modern classic.

That concludes my gift guide! Hopefully, you’ve found something to buy for a friend or family member. Or, at the least, you’ve got some inspiration for your own to-read list. If you’re still struggling, I believe that you can’t go wrong by giving them a copy of your own favourite book.