Carol Ann Duffy & Catherine Doyle | Mini Reviews

The Miracle on Ebenezer Street by Catherine Doyle
Published by Puffin, 2020
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This playful, heartfelt reimagining of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is set in the present day. We follow George, a ten-year-old boy who lives with his father and grandmother, following the death of his mother three years prior. Overcome by grief, his father has banned Christmas and forbids George from spending time with his mother’s side of the family, finding it too difficult to face his memories of the wife he lost. When George finds a strange snow globe in Marley’s Curiosity Shop, he sparks an adventure full of magic that will take them through Christmas past, present and future.

Charming and packed full of equal amounts of pathos and humour, Doyle’s love letter to Dickens’ classic is a lovely festive read that celebrates the wonder of the season, while acknowledging it can also be a time of great sadness, as George and his father are forced to confront their grief. Scenes are evoked wonderfully, with vivid descriptions that transport you to Doyle’s enchanting world.

It has to be said, reading a book that centres around the notions of Christmas being cancelled and the sadness of being kept apart from loved ones hits particularly strongly in 2020. On a more personal level, this will also be my first Christmas without my Gran, who passed away earlier this year, and reading about the beautiful relationship between George and his grandmother took on extra resonance as a result.

Bittersweet yet fun and ultimately uplifting, this middle grade novel is a welcome retelling that has enough references to the original to please long-term fans, while still being able to stand on its own merits.

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Dorothy Wordsworth’s Christmas Birthday by Carol Ann Duffy
Published by Picador, 2014
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

There’s no real emotional or thematic weight to this poem; it simply follows Dorothy, sister of William Wordsworth, as she prepares to enjoy Christmas Day (which also happens to be her birthday) with her brother and their good friend, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Duffy paints vivid pictures of the wintry setting with some lovey imagery: “Ice, like a cold key, / turning its lock on the lake; / nervous stars trapped there”, and deftly captures the beauty of the quieter moments of domesticity that make the season so cosy and enticing: “The kitchen table, / set for this festive breakfast, / an unseen still life”; “The cat at his feet / licks at her black-and-white fur / rhyming purr with purr.”

Every stanza is its own individual haiku, but they all come together to form one narrative poem. To me this felt like a nod to the structure and tradition that many of us cherish on Christmas Day, the consistent rhythm and pace also giving the poem a flowing, gentle quality. Whatever the intention, it’s a nice structural device that, coupled with the simple language, makes this a pleasant, easy read.

Each of Duffy’s annual festive poems is fully illustrated by a different artist, and this one is no exception. Tom Duxbury’s expressive style and limited colour palette are gorgeous, perfectly suited to the comforting vibe of the poem itself.

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This will be my last post before Christmas, so however you’re spending it this year, I hope you all have a safe, lovely time. I’ll be back afterwards with my December Wrap Up and my Top Reads of the Year! 

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Let’s Recommend | Christmas Reads

Let’s recommend some Christmas reads!

If anyone is looking for a festive themed read to pick up over the holidays, here are a few recommendations to hopefully point you in the right direction. As always, I encourage you to share your own recommendations in return!

Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas by Adam Kay

This is a series of extracts from the real-life diaries that Kay kept during his time as a junior doctor, taken specifically from the seven festive seasons he spent working on hospital wards. I found it more focussed and affecting than his similar (though not Christmas centred) offering, This is Going to Hurt, and I thought his signature sarcastic humour felt less forced this time around, adding some much needed light to balance out the darkness. Indeed, it’s the kind of book that is just as likely to make you laugh as it is to make you cry. If there was ever a year when we all need to remember the hardships endured by selfless NHS staff, particularly throughout the holidays, it’s this one.

The Christmas Truce by Carol Ann Duffy

For much of her run as the UK’s poet laureate, Duffy released an annual Christmas poem to mark the festive season. Each one was released as a compact little hardback, with accompanying illustrations by a different artist. This particular offering is inspired by the real-life events of Christmas Day, 1914, when opposing sides of the First World War downed their weapons and met on No Man’s Land to play football, exchange gifts, and sing songs. Its messages of coming together to overcome adversity, and finding light amidst the darkest of times resonate particularly strongly this year.

Miss Marley by Vanessa Lafaye

Told from the perspective of Jacob Marley’s sister, Clara, this serves as a prequel to Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, exploring the events that led to her brother’s tragic demise. The best kind of tie-in novel, Miss Marley successfully toes the line between reverence for the original, and the crafting of a story that feels new and worthwhile. Dickens’ existing characters are handled well, while the new ones are inserted seamlessly without contradicting any of the established lore. It manages to build on the core themes of A Christmas Carol, and is a suitably poignant read about class, loyalty, and fate versus freewill.

A Literary Christmas by The British Library

Bringing together short stories, poems, and novel extracts all centred around Christmas, this is an ideal means of trying various authors’ styles and seeing which ones you gel with. It’s mainly classic works but there are a few contemporary writers featured as well. The highlight for me was Christmas at Sea by Robert Louis Stevenson, a poem about a man aboard a fishing vessel whose thoughts turn to home during a storm on Christmas morning. Other highlights included: A Christmas Carol by Christina Rossetti; A Visit from St Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore; and extracts from Sons and Lovers by D.H. Lawrence, and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Charming, well structured, and beautifully presented, it’s great to dip in and out of throughout the holiday.

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There we have it! I know Christmas will likely look different for most of us this year, but I hope you all have a safe, lovely time nonetheless. What festive reads would you recommend?

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Bookish Christmas Gift Guide 2020

Most of us are likely to be celebrating Christmas a little differently this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still treat those we love (or ourselves) to something nice. I’ve put together a bookish gift guide the past four years running (you can find them here if you’d like more ideas: 2019, 2018, 2017, & 2016), but without further ado, here are some gift suggestions for the bookworms in your life.

BOOKISH GAMES

With all of us spending more time at home these days, a game with a bookish twist could help entertain many a reader throughout the holiday season. There are loads of options out there, including The Writers Game, which is essentially bookish top trumps with beautifully illustrated cards, and Ex Libris, where you have to try and outsmart your opponents by coming up with fake – but convincing – first and last lines from famous books.

A READING JOURNAL

Anyone who uses Goodreads likely knows how… frustrating it can be at times. With more and more readers seeking out an alternative means of documenting their reads and managing their TBR, why not go old school and treat someone to a journal that allows them to track their reading for the year ahead? Here are some examples, available from The Literary Gift Company.

BOOK SLEEVES

If you or someone you know always likes to have a book with them on the go, a book sleeve is a great little gift. It’s essentially a pouch to put your book in so it doesn’t get bashed around or dirty if you’re throwing it in your bag. Plus, you can get some really pretty designs, like these examples from The Story Gift.

‘POETRY INSTEAD OF A CARD’

Candlestick Press publish a really cool range of pamphlets called ‘Poetry Instead of a Card’. As the name suggests, the idea is you can send someone a mini book of ten poems as an alternative to a standard greetings card. There are several specifically Christmas themed pamphlets within the range, but there are loads to choose from; be it pamphlets that explore a particular theme – like friendship, happiness, or love – or pamphlets that focus on a specific subject – like cats, flowers, or art. And don’t worry, you can still write the recipient a message; each one comes with a bookmark with space that has been left for you to personalise it.

BOOK LAMPS

Book inspired lamps look gorgeous *and* they give off lovely ambient lighting that is perfect for a bit of night time reading. You can get a foldable LED lamp that looks like a regular book when closed, but which lights up when opened (like this one from Not on the Highstreet), and a lamp which doubles as a book stand, saving your page and looking like an adorable little house as it does so (like this one designed by Lee Sang Gin). What’s not to love?

BOOKISH TEA

It may be a bit of a stereotype, but it’s true that many bookworms do enjoy a good cup of tea. A nice mug is a great choice, but you could go one better and get some actual tea to go with it. There are lots of great gift sets that tie in with specific reads; I think these Alice in Wonderland and Beatrix Potter themed offerings from New English Teas are particularly charming.

BOOKISH CANDLES

I love the smell of books almost as much as I love reading them. Evidently, I’m not alone, as you can now find candles that give off that glorious between-the-pages scent. Frostbeard Studio stock just such candles, as well as various others with fragrances that take inspiration from specific books and franchises.

BOOKISH CLOTHING

You can get clothing with fun, generically bookish slogans/designs on them (I was gifted a T-shirt last year that says ‘Cats, Books, Tea’ on it, for example), or you could find someone an item that ties in with one of their favourite reads if you want it to be a little more personal. Literary Emporium have some really beautiful options, with quotes and motifs that draw from beloved books. I think their designs are understated but really effective.

BEAUTIFUL BOOKS

I couldn’t write a bookish gift guide without including some actual books, could I? I think books with a strong visual element make particularly nice presents, since they’re beautiful objects as much as they are enjoyable to read. With that in mind, here are a couple of lovely books, both of which I highly recommend, and both of which I think could be enjoyed by readers young and old alike.

Mythologica by Dr. Steve Kershaw & Victoria Topping

This encyclopaedia of gods, monsters, and mortals from Ancient Greece serves as a fantastic entry point or reference guide for those at all interested in mythology. The book highlights 50 key figures, giving us a snapshot of their role within the canon, but the real draw is Topping’s stunningly bold and stylised portraits of each character.

The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris

This book combines acrostic poems with wonderful artwork to celebrate the relationship between the natural world and the language we use to describe it – while reminding us how important it is to preserve both. The poems are highly approachable, playful, and engaging, with each one focussing on a different plant or animal, the name of which is disappearing from everyday use in children’s vocabularies; the idea being that we need to reconnect with the wonder of the world around us.

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There we have it! I hope you picked up a few useful ideas, and however you end up spending it this year, I hope you all have a lovely, safe festive period.

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Three Festive Mini Reviews

The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch by Tom Fletcher
Published by Puffin, 2019
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

As with its predecessor, this is full of fun, festive loveliness. It touches on some topical themes (like blended families, fake media, and the true meaning of Christmas) without ever distracting from the magic or adventure of the core narrative. There’s good disability representation courtesy of the main character, and a story that is packed full of Christmas joy, suitable for pretty much any age.

You can pick up a copy of The Christmasaurus and the Winter Witch from Book Depository by clicking here.

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The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen
Published by Hutchinson, 2015 (first published in 1844)
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This isn’t my favourite of Andersen’s fairy tales, but there is some memorable imagery throughout, and I like the slight reversal from the norm when it comes to its use of gender roles, with the story following a young girl’s journey to rescue her friend from the influence of the eponymous – and enigmatic – Snow Queen.

This particular edition is greatly enhanced by Sanna Annukka’s gorgeous artwork, which is what drew me to it in the first place. A quick, timeless read, the book itself would make a lovely gift at this time of year.

You can pick up a copy of The Snow Queen from Book Depository by clicking here.

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Wenceslas by Carol Ann Duffy
Published by Picador, 2012
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

This is one of Duffy’s annual festive poems, presented as a lovely little hardback. This particular offering is inspired by the carol of King Wenceslas, encouraging us to enjoy the indulgence of the season, whilst remembering to extend the hand of human kindness to those less fortunate than ourselves. I love this sentiment, and think Stuart Kolakovic’s accompanying artwork is beautiful, but the poem itself (in terms of language, structure, flow, etc.) didn’t do a huge amount for me.

You can pick up a copy of Wenceslas from Book Depository by clicking here.

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J.K. Rowling & Vanessa Lafaye | Mini Reviews

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling, illustrated by Jim Kay
Published by Bloomsbury, 2019 (first published in 2000)
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

It’s always a nostalgic delight to revisit the wizarding world, flaws and all – especially at this time of year. Kay’s stunning illustrations add another layer of immersion, making this re-read feel both fresh and familiar all at once.

I’ve always loved that Prisoner of Azkaban represented a turning point in the overall tone of the series, whilst Voldemort’s return in Goblet of Fire served as an equivalent turning point in the narrative.

You can pick up a copy of the illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire from Book Depository by clicking here.

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Miss Marley by Vanessa Lafaye
Published by HQ, 2018
My rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Jacob Marley plays a key role in Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The chain-clad ghost – once Scrooge’s business partner – is doomed to wander the Earth, lamenting the shame of a life fuelled by greed. In this prequel, Vanessa Lafaye explores the events that led Marley to this tragic state, told from the perspective of his sister, Clara.

The Dickensian setting is evoked well, with the handling of previously established characters in keeping with what readers experienced in A Christmas Carol. By framing this particular story through the eyes of a new character, however, Lafaye is able to pay homage to the original text without ‘trespassing’ – which she explained was her fear in the author’s note.

Important themes from the original are built upon, including the trappings of poverty, the struggle to transcend class, and the battle between fate and freewill. Clara’s viewpoint allows for commentary on female agency at the time, and there’s a real poignancy to watching Marley do all the wrong things for all the right reasons; hardening his heart in order to protect his beloved sister, blind to the harm he himself is causing her.

The best kind of tie-in novel, Miss Marley successfully toes the line between reverence for its predecessor, and innovation within the context of an iconic story’s existing lore.

You can pick up a copy of Miss Marley from Book Depository by clicking here.

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Bookish Christmas Gift Guide 2019

I’m going to go on record and say this annual bookish guide is my favourite post of the year to work on. And so, it’s with great excitement that we’ve reached that time again! I stand by all my recommendations from previous years, which you can find by clicking here, here, and here. But without further ado, here are some gift ideas should you be looking to treat the bookish people in your life this Christmas – or if you just fancy treating yourself.

BOOKENDS

Bookends are a practical gift, helping someone to organise and display their ever-growing collection of books, but they’re also a cute way of adding some decoration to your shelves. There are all sorts of options, meaning you can pick a design that suits the recipient’s personal taste. I love owls, for example, and am very happy to have these little guys perched on my bookcase.

Cute, huh?

CHARACTER STATUES

A collectable toy, statue, or figure of a beloved character is another way to add some personalised fun to your shelves. I have several from the Disney collection to accompany some children’s classics, a few of which can be seen below. If you want to go one better, I think one of these alongside a gorgeous copy of the relevant book would make a particularly lovely gift. On that front, I can highly recommend any editions illustrated by Robert Ingpen.

With big books and franchises, you won’t struggle to find lots of other examples, with Funko Pop! figurines probably being your best bet – like these characters taken from Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and Lord of the Rings.

PINS & BADGES

Badges could range from general bookish slogans and cute book designs, to specific quotes from the recipient’s favourite novels and authors. There are so many options out there to suit a range of tastes and budgets, with the following examples all available from Literary Emporium.

PORTABLE READING LIGHTS

This is a great little gift for any bookworm who likes to travel. You simply clip it onto your book and you can carry on reading long into the night – perfect for reading on planes without disturbing fellow flyers with the overhead lights. Along a similar vein, they’re also handy for students with roommates they don’t want to disturb with their nocturnal reading habits. You can get simple lights like the one shown below, or more playful designs, like one that resembles a golden snitch.

STATIONERY

It’s not quite a universal truth, but I think it’s fair to say most bookworms love a bit of stationery. You can never go far wrong with a beautiful notebook, but The Literary Gift Company has lots of great alternative options. A few of my favourites from their range include Alice in Wonderland sticky notes, pencils inscribed with bookish sayings, a Jane Austen themed pencil case, and a novelty desk tidy that looks like a giant pencil sharpener.

LIT MAG SUBSCRIPTIONS

Ironically, the hardest thing to buy for many book lovers is, well, books. There’s always that inherent fear they’ll already own what you choose to buy them. That’s where literary magazines come in handy. Publishing original pieces regularly, they’re a great way to discover new writers. You could buy some back issues to let the recipient try the publication, or take out a subscription on their behalf, entitling them to however many issues are released throughout the next 12 months.

Ellipsis Zine is great for those who like short stories and flash fiction (I can vouch for them as both a reader and a writer, having had 4 of my own stories published in their most recent issues). Blood Bath Literary Zine contains a mix of fiction, poetry, and visual art centred around surrealist horror, whilst The Rialto is great for lovers of contemporary poetry from both established and emerging poets alike.

My own collection of zines from Ellipsis, Blood Bath, and The Rialto.

BOOK BOX SUBSCRIPTIONS

If you like the idea of a subscription service but would rather stick to actual books (often delivered alongside bits and pieces of bookish swag), there are still lots of options. You’ve probably heard of some of the big players, like Book of the Month and Owl Crate, but here are a few ideas if you’d prefer to go for something a little different. (For the record, I’ve only used the last company mentioned; the others I just love the sound of.)

Books That Matter is a monthly feminist themed subscription box that aims to ‘enlighten, educate and empower’. Each delivery includes a book by a female, trans or non-binary author, and at least 3 themed gifts produced by independent female creatives.

Mr B’s Reading Emporium will send a book to the recipient each month. Rather than a standardised selection, Mr B’s booksellers will handpick titles based on the recipient’s individual interests.

Bookishly has several subscription options on offer, including ones that pair books with tea or coffee. I particularly like the idea of their Classic of the Month box, which includes a classic text that has been covered by a gorgeous dust jacket designed exclusively for Bookishly.

Persephone publishes forgotten classics by women that had previously gone out of print. Their sleek, contemporary editions are beautifully produced, and each one boasts a stunning, uniquely patterned endpaper and matching bookmark. You can choose 6 or 12 books to be sent out monthly, or you can allow the recipient to choose their own titles instead from the Persephone catalogue.

Some of the Persephone Classics (top), which is their range of bestsellers reissued at a reduced price with new covers, and some of their standard editions (bottom), which feature the patterned endpapers inside.

TIE-IN BOOKS

Does the recipient have a favourite movie, TV show, video game, or suchlike? Chances are it has some great tie-in books that showcase concept art, storyboards, developer interviews, and behind the scenes insights. By combining two things they love, a companion book is sure to go down well, and since these coffee-table-style books are often very visual, they feel all the more gift-worthy. As an example, here’s a little look at an excellent Pan’s Labyrinth tie-in book I was given a while ago:

STOCKING STUFFER BOOKS

Small, inexpensive books that we’re less likely to buy for ourselves make great little gifts at this time of year. Here are a few suggestions, a couple of which are specifically Christmassy, and a couple of which could be read at any time of year.

Twas the Nightshift Before Christmas by Adam Kay is a pocket-sized follow up to his previous hit, This is Going to Hurt. These real-life diaries from Kay’s time working as a junior doctor throughout the festive period promise to deliver his trademark pathos and dry humour.

Another Night Before Christmas by Carol Ann Duffy is a modern riff on the beloved story, published as a charming little hardback and beautifully illustrated by Rob Ryan’s paper cut-outs.

No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference by Greta Thunberg collects speeches delivered by the celebrated teen climate activist. A recent updated edition contains extra speeches and the welcome addition of photography documenting her meteoric rise to the world stage.

Mr Salary by Sally Rooney is part of the Faber Stories range, which has lots of options for literary stocking stuffers. Given the huge success of Rooney’s novels, many readers would surely jump at the chance to read another sliver of her incisive work.

BEAUTIFUL BOOKS

‘Beautiful books’ is a fairly subjective term, I grant you, but I reckon you’d be hard pushed to find someone who didn’t appreciate the aesthetic prowess of the following offerings. Graphic novels, coffee table books, and illustrated texts in general make wonderful gifts. After all, they look gorgeous, and they’re the kind of thing most readers are less likely to treat themselves to, making them feel all the more generous when gifted!

Snow, Glass, Apples by Neil Gaiman and Colleen Doran is a twisted retelling of Snow White that vindicates the efforts of the so-called wicked queen by painting the eponymous heroine as the true villain of the piece.

Examples of the art style in Snow, Glass, Apples

Literary Witches by Taisia Kitaiskaia and Katy Horan celebrates the magic of female writers, both iconic and overlooked. Each entry is accompanied by a stunning portrait and recommended reading from the author’s oeuvre, making it both a gorgeous gift and a great means of discovering new writers.

Examples of the art style in Literary Witches

The Fairy-Tale Princess by Wendy Jones and Su Blackwell retells 7 timeless stories, including Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Rapunzel. The real highlight, however, is Blackwell’s incredible artwork; photographs of 3D paper sculptures made from old books.

Examples of the art style in The Fairy-Tale Princess

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There we have it! I hope you picked up a few bookish gift ideas, and however you choose to spend it, I hope you all have a lovely festive period.

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Let’s Recommend | Festive Reads

Let’s recommend some festive reads

Tis the season for some festive book recommendations! As always, I encourage you to share your own recommendations in return, but without further ado, here are some books that are guaranteed to get you into the festive spirit in the run-up to the big day.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Most of us are familiar with the concept of Dickens’ classic tale, which sees miserable Scrooge learning the error of his ways with the help of the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. And whilst there are many well-known screen adaptations, I didn’t actually get round to picking up the original text until this time last year. Having not read any of his work for years, I was pleasantly surprised by how readable and evocative Dickens’ prose was, which made this a timeless and very worthwhile read.

The Nutcracker by E.T.A. Hoffmann

The ballet adaptation of The Nutcracker has become a staple of the festive season, but being another story that I finally read in its original form last year, I can heartily recommend it to those in search of something rich in festive charm and whimsy. Celebrating the magic of childhood imagination and dreams come true, it’s easy to understand why its appeal has endured for all these years.

Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson

Christmas Days is a collection of twelve short stories interspersed with festive anecdotes and recipes that Winterson has accumulated over the years. Some of the stories have a fantastical, fairy tale edge, but they never lack real-world resonance. A varied mix, you can expect everything from quiet offerings about falling in love or dealing with grief, to spooky tales of ghosts and revenge, and even the nativity story from the perspective of the donkey that carried Mary. Winterson’s prose is very approachable, with moments of real beauty, and this certainly fuelled a desire to check out more of her work.

Another Night Before Christmas by Carol Ann Duffy

Duffy is the UK’s current Poet Laureate, and each year she releases a festive poem that has been illustrated by a different artist. I hope to build up a collection of these charming little hardbacks, and started with this delightful retelling of the similarly named classic. This version has a modern twist, and follows a young girl trying to find out once-and-for-all if Santa really exists. It’s a lovely, swift read, perfect for an afternoon by the fire with a cup of tea and a mince pie! As a fan of Rob Ryan’s paper cut-outs, I also loved the accompanying artwork in this particular edition.

The Christmasaurus by Tom Fletcher

A children’s novel fit for readers of any age, The Christmasaurus gave me all the warm, festive fuzzies. A bit bonkers, but full of heart, it’s a thrilling adventure with lovely messages about friendship, family, and believing in the seemingly impossible. It also has some good disability representation, with the protagonist being a wheelchair user. Fun and heartening, it taps into the inherent magic and nostalgia of the season, making us all feel like big kids again.

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There we have it! What festive reads would you recommend?

Bookish Christmas Gift Guide 2018

Perhaps the most ironic thing about a bookworm is how difficult it is to actually buy them books. There is, after all, the inherent fear that they’ll already own any you opt to gift them. That’s part of why I enjoy putting together these bookish gift guides, hopefully giving you some ideas for the festive season (whether you’re giving gifts to others, or simply treating yourself).

I would still heartily recommend everything I talked about in the previous two years’ guides, which you can find here and here. But without further ado, here is my 2018 bookish gift guide.

BOOKISH MUGS

My own bookish mug of choice

A cup of tea serves as the ideal companion to a good book, don’t you think?

With that said, any mug could make a nice gift for a bookworm, but one with a particular bookish slant would be even more appropriate. As an example, I have one with a pleasingly snarky nod to Harry Potter (and The Handmaid’s Tale, technically). I also really like the lovely range of mugs available from Penguin and Virago that are styled to look like old-school book covers from back in the day. This means you could get someone a mug to match their favourite classic, which would give it a more personal touch.

Examples of these, and lots of other fun bookish mugs, can be found at The Literary Gift Company.

Penguin and Virago mugs

TOTE BAGS

How else are we supposed to carry all those books home from the bookshop? Tote bags in general come in handy for book lovers, but again, if you opt for one with a bookish design, it’ll hopefully go down even better. You can find all sorts out there, but here are a few I think will appeal to most bookworms, available at Etsy, Not on the High Street (including personalisation), and Redbubble respectively.

Bookish tote bags

KINDLE COVERS

My kindle cover. Cute, huh?

Not all readers reach for physical books; there are those that prefer the convenience and minimalism offered up by a Kindle. But those who favour e-readers shouldn’t have to miss out on all the pretty bookish swag; that would just be sad! So, why not treat them to a new cover for their device?

Unlike buying them a book, which risks them ending up with duplicate copies, I think it’s a pretty safe bet, as even if they already have a cover, it can’t hurt to give them the option of switching it up from time to time.

Again, there are all sorts of different designs available to suit individual tastes, but I’ve included a picture of my own cover as an example. (I don’t use my Kindle very often, but yes, I do own one.)

HOUSE CREST BOOKMARKS

Most readers need bookmarks, and most readers are also fans of Harry Potter. So, what better than a bookmark that bears the crest of their own Hogwarts House? These officially licensed bookmarks should be widely available, but they’re decent quality and come in a box, which makes them look a little more gifty.

My Hufflepuff bookmark

If, of course, you know a bookworm who isn’t all that keen on HP, standard bookmarks should still go down a treat, and there will no doubt be tie-in designs for virtually every major book or franchise. Here are a few from my own rather extensive collection.

You can never have too many bookmarks, right?

BOOKISH NOTEBOOKS

It’s not a universal truth, but most bookish people tend to love a bit of stationery. As such, notebooks are often well received. But I’m sure you’ve noticed the theme by now: if you want to go one better, you could hunt out one with a specific book-themed design. This could feature anything from a mock-up of a Hogwarts textbook, to a portrait of a beloved character, to a recreation of a vintage book cover. Here are some examples I’m particularly fond of, available from Literary Emporium, Cultural Bindings, and Holly Dunn Design, respectively.

Bookish notebooks

STOCKING STUFFER BOOKS

If you can’t resist treating someone to an actual book, but you aren’t sure what to get them, a little stocking stuffer could be the perfect compromise. Small, inexpensive, and the kind of read many of us are less likely to pick up for ourselves, here are a few suggestions:

Stocking stuffer books

The Gifts of Reading by Robert Macfarlane. This simple but resonant anecdotal essay is about the joy of books both given and received, and the power they have to inspire and transform lives. It’s a message most bookworms should feel some affinity with.

The Christmas Truce by Carol Ann Duffy. Each year, the UK Poet Laureate writes a festive themed poem, which is published as a lovely little hardback, complete with illustrations. Last year, I read and thoroughly enjoyed Another Night Before Christmas, with The Christmas Truce on my TBR for this year. Centred around the extraordinary real-life ceasefire that took place on Christmas Day in 1914, it would make an especially timely gift this year, given that it’s the centenary of the end of WWI.

The Robber Bridegroom by The Brothers Grimm. This is essentially a placeholder for Penguin’s Little Black Classics range in general, which give you bitesize samples of classic authors’ work. There’s something about the timeless magic and dark whimsy of fairy tales that makes them feel particularly appropriate for this time of year, hence picking Grimm, but with short stories, poetry, essays, novellas, and other forms all featured within the collection, there should be something to suit every reader’s taste.

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There we have it! I hope you picked up an idea or two, and I wish you all a lovely festive season, however you may be spending it.

The Nutcracker | Theatre Review

Show: The Nutcracker
Venue: Perth Concert Hall
Date: 19^th November 2018
Company: Russian State Ballet
Director & choreographer: Konstantin Uralsky
Music: Composed by Tchaikovsky; performed by the Russian State Symphony
Principal dancers: Karina Likhanova (Marie), Igor Likhanov (The Nutcracker), Marina Nomyrova (Sugar Plum Fairy), & Anton Piasteskhin (Prince Coqueluche)

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The Nutcracker

Based on the classic tale by E.T.A. Hoffmann, the ballet adaptation of The Nutcracker has become a staple of the theatre scene during the festive period. This touring production by The Russian State Ballet and Opera House is every bit as magical and enchanting as you’d want it to be.

The story is one of timeless whimsy that embraces the wonder of Christmas, the power of childhood imagination, and the beauty of dreams come true. A young girl’s Christmas gift – an unassuming nutcracker doll – comes to life as the clock strikes midnight on Christmas morning. He and the other toys must overcome the Mouse King, before travelling through snowy climbs to The Land of Sweets, where they celebrate their victory with all manner of weird and wonderful characters.

First-off, I have to give special mention to the three dancers who performed the Arabian Dance (the second Act sees a number of ‘dolls’ from around the world come to life to perform a balletic interpretation of their national dance). I’ve been lucky enough to see a fair few ballets in my time, including another company’s production of The Nutcracker, but this was quite possibly the most intricate, stylised, precise, and visually arresting sequence I’ve ever seen on stage. The production would have been worth seeing for this, and the snowflake scene, alone.

Production photos, courtesy of the Russian State Ballet and Opera House.

But if those moments set a precedent for the quality of the show at large, I was in no way disappointed. Hearing the iconic Tchaikovsky score performed live by a 30-piece orchestra made all the difference. Utterly transporting, there are several pieces in the suite that everyone will recognise the moment they hear them, even if they have no interest in ballet whatsoever – and all were performed flawlessly. The set design and props were excellent, and the costumes some of the most sumptuous and detailed I’ve seen in a ballet. It was this kind of attention to detail that elevated the show to the next level – but then the Russians are famous for their ballet, of course. After seeing this production, I have no doubt as to why.

The company is currently touring the UK, with a rotating repertoire of The Nutcracker, Giselle, and Swan Lake. I highly recommend catching them if you can – especially in a showing of The Nutcracker. Its playfulness, and accessible, family-friendly story make it ideal for newcomers and lovers of the form alike. Not to mention that it’s a perfect early Christmas treat to get you in the festive spirit.

Bookish Christmas Gift Guide 2017

Last year, I put together a bookish Christmas gift guide, and I still stand by all the recommendations I made there, so thought I’d take the opportunity to re-share it now (just click on the link above), whilst also adding a few more suggestions below that the bookworms in your life (or you, yourself) may hopefully enjoy. Let’s get started!

BOOK MANUSCRIPT POSTERS

These posters are very cool, in that they both look great and have a fun bookish twist. From a distance, they appear to simply show a silhouette of an iconic character or moment from a book, but on closer inspection, you realise that the poster is constructed using the actual text of the book itself printed in minute form to create the image. I, myself, was gifted one that shows Alice falling down the rabbit hole, using the original text by Lewis Carroll.

The Alice in Wonderland poster I received last year.

Here are some more examples, created using Moby-Dick, Sherlock Holmes and Peter Pan, respectively.

Moby-Dick, Sherlock Holmes and Peter Pan.

You can find these posters and others like them from various outlets, including Litographs, Postertext and Spineless Classics.

BEAUTIFUL EDITIONS OF A FAVOURITE CLASSIC

If you’ve got friends who love to read, you’ll no doubt be aware of the ironic struggle to actually gift them books, due to the fear of buying them something they already own. This is where I think classics come in handy. The very nature of a favourite classic lends itself to several re-reads throughout the years, and their decades (or even centuries) in print mean there are invariably dozens of editions to choose from. I’m willing to venture, therefore, that most bookworms would be more than happy to receive a beautiful edition of their favourite classic, even if they already own a different copy.

As an example, my mum’s favourite book is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, and whilst I don’t doubt she will continue to treasure the battered old copy she’s owned for years, a couple of years ago I bought her a beautiful edition published by White’s Books so that she can have a copy to display on her shelves.

White’s Books’ edition of Jane Eyre.

Here are some ranges of classics that I think are especially pretty, and thus lend themselves well to being gifted:

Penguin Clothbound Classics

Folio Society

Penguin Drop Caps

Barnes & Noble Classics

TICKETS TO A STAGE ADAPTATION

If you know someone already loves a book but don’t necessarily want to buy them a duplicate copy, why not help them experience the story in a whole new way by booking them tickets to a live stage adaptation? All kinds of books make the transition to plays and musicals, both classic and contemporary alike. I, for example, already have tickets booked to see Strangers on a Train next year, based on the classic crime novel by Patricia Highsmith; and tickets to see War Horse the following year, when the hit West End show based on Michael Morpurgo’s book tours the UK. It’s always worth taking a look to see what’s coming to your local theatres!

Posters for the stage adaptations of Strangers on a Train and War Horse.

FESTIVE BOOKS

I couldn’t put together a bookish gift guide without including some specific books. So, here are a couple of festive reads that I think would make lovely gifts – one I read last year and one that’s on my own TBR for this year. Both are beautiful aesthetically, and both contain short stories, which I think are ideal for this time of year, when you may want to dip in and out of something, or read one tale each evening in the countdown to the big day.

Christmas Days and Christmas Stories

The first is a collection by Jeanette Winterson, interspersed with recipes for festive treats she’s acquired over the years and short anecdotes about her own Christmas memories. The stories include one about a snowman that comes to life and helps to make a poor girl’s life a little bit easier; one about a couple on their way to a cottage for Christmas, who learn along the way that it’s the company, not the material things, that make the festive season special; one about a talking stray dog who realises that love is the greatest gift of all; one about a bunch of frogs who come to the aid of orphaned children; and the nativity story told from the perspective of the donkey who carried the Virgin Mary. 

The second is an anthology of Christmas themed stories published in the Everyman’s Pocket Classics range by Alfred A. Knopf, which includes contributions from an impressive range of classic authors, such as Charles Dickens, Leo Tolstoy, Muriel Spark, Vladimir Nabokov and Arthur Conan Doyle, amongst several others.

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There we have it! I hope you picked up an idea or two for the bookish people in your life, and that you all have a lovely festive season.