Christmas Book Gift Guide

The month of December is upon us. Today you'll be opening the first door of your advent calendar and it's socially acceptable to listen to Christmas albums. It's the time of year Michael Buble re-appears on Earth for a month and everything smells of cinnamon or gingerbread.

If you haven't already figured (seriously if you haven't then are you even reading my blog?) I love books. I enjoy book stores, new books, old books, hardbacks, paperbacks, libraries and words and paper. The smell of new books entices me, it's like candy to a child in a sweetshop. Books are my sweet, sticky fudge. 

I've read plenty of books this year, my goal was 40 and I've gone beyond. So it feels natural to put together a few Must Have Books or Books to Buy For Someone Who Reads. Considering most of you are in the process of Christmas shopping, this is a perfect gift guide for a reader, or even if you want to treat yourself to a new book (Tom Haverford would say treat yo' self)

The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton
"Every woman is the architect of her own fortune"

A tale set in 17th century Amsterdam in a period where your marriage suitor was chosen for you. A trader meets his new wife Nella; she's young and impressionable. The trader Johannes Brandt presents Nella with an irreplaceable, beautiful and magical dolls house. It's a perfect replica of their home, but strange things keep happening. The compartments and contents of the furniture inside the dolls house changes, hints at things and makes Nella think she might be going insane. The dolls house is a focal point to the novel, however along the way there's twists and turns, foul play, love and death.

Yes Please - Amy Poehler
"Short people do not like to be picked up"

Poehler's autobiography/memoir recalling her journey through performing, writing comedy sketches and the births of her children. Absolutely hilarious. A story of everlasting, passionate friendships, rejections from TV shows before finally coming to Parks and Recreation. She re-counters the turmoils of succeeding in media whilst maintaining a home life with two children and also going through a divorce. Poehler is an incredible feminist woman who will make you feel slightly less embarrassed about doing stupid things.

The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
"You cannot be afraid, Read the book. Smile at it. It's a great book- the greatest book you've ever read"

Liesel Meminger is an orphan in the second world war. She moves in with the Hubermann family during Nazi Germany, a tale of battling the loss of childhood innocence. Liesel has been through a lot, she unfortunately can't read or write resulting in her being bullied in her classroom. So,  Hans Hubermann to the rescue. The emotional relationship that forms between Liesel and her adoptive father Hans is one of the most moving bonds formed in literature. Hans struggles to read and write also but he takes the task upon himself to teach his adoptive daughter how to read and write; devoting hours to learning words, repeating them and writing them in paint on the basement walls. However, not everything is a chirpy as it sounds, there's a war going on. The Hubermann begin hiding a Jew in their basement and Liesel takes a shining to him!

IT - Alexa Chung

"Nobody goes through life without having their heart broken and one day you'll wake up and it will okay"

Every fashionista's must have book and will complete the aesthetic of your bedside table. Chung is the sister you never knew you needed. She offers her advice and guidance through make up, fashion and boys. With a gorgeous mixture of Polaroid photos and illustrations, this book would be a beautiful addition to your bookshelves. She writes about her style icons, her go-to fashion items (Come on, what girl doesn't want to know how Alexa Chung lives and breathes?) and relationships.

My True Love Gave Me to Me - A Series of Authors

A collection of Christmas themed, young adult, short stories that will immediately make you feel festive. Funny, sad and cute. Stories from Rainbow Rowell (Author of Fangirl and Eleanor and Park) David Levithan (Author of  Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist) and Gayle Forman (Author of If I Stay). 

A Little Something Different - Sandy Hall

"He's like a cesspool in the midst of my creative writing oasis"

A cute romance novel surrounding the lives of Gabe and Lea; two students in the same creative writing class that everyone is rooting for to get together. Told through some strange perspectives - you hear the voice of a squirrel who sits on the bench next to the budding couple. It's one of those typical love stories that everybody can see the chemistry between two people BUT them. 

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K Rowling

"There is no good and evil, there is only power and those too weak to see it"

There is no need for me to summarize this amazing piece of literature. Harry Potter is without a doubt the greatest series to exist. (Harry Potter nerd in me is revealing itself) Buy this book even if you already own it because there's a few new editions that are all beautiful and if you're buying this book for the first time, I'm a little shocked.

I hope this guide is a little helpful and gives you some ideas for what to buy your book loving friends!

Do you have any book recommendations for me to read during December?