Books To Buy This Christmas

I know, I know, but the time is upon us, especially if, like me, you’ll be doing most of your shopping both online, and on a budget this year. Starting now means that you’re ahead of the game, and whether it means pre-orders or books that are already out, there are books perfect for everyone, and I’m here with recommendations to help out.

For under fives
With little ones, it’s easy to go classic; We’re Going On A Bear Hunt, The Gruffalo, Owl Babies, Handa’s Surprise. But there are some brilliant new releases from this year that would be wonderful under the tree of any little one.

The Girl and The Dinosaur
Utterly stunning in both words and pictures, The Girl and The Dinosaur is a book about a girl who more than anything wants a dinosaur to come to life. Then one night, her wish comes true…
All of my nieces and nephews will be getting this book this year!

Fantastically Great Women Who Saved the Planet
Another beautifully book from Kate Pankhurst to join the selection that already grace the shelves, this really is a book for our times. Full of wonderful women who are saving the world in their own ways, this is perfect for the little feminists in your life.

Dear Santa
It’s a classic AND a new release! What better way to celebrate the festive season with the little ones in your life than by passing on this lift the flap, present filled book. It’s a happy board book.

Older Children and Young Adults
I’m a firm believer in every child getting books for Christmas and this year there have been some truly lovely books released for older children. Every year is a good year when books come into the world, but here’s just a few of the stunning books that have come out into the world recently.

The Ship of Shadows
I reviewed this book earlier on in the year, and it really was one of the most fun, exciting, food filled books I’ve ever read. Full of powerful, kickass women ready to take on the seas and the world around them, I absolutely loved every page. My nearly eleven year old son really enjoyed the adventure it took him on as well, so it’s one I’d recommended for all the children in your life that might be past the picture book stage.

Raybearer
“Tarisai has always longed for the warmth of a family. She was raised in isolation by a mysterious, often absent mother known only as The Lady. The Lady sends her to the capital of the global empire of Aritsar to compete with other children to be chosen as one of the Crown Prince’s Council of 11. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other Council members through the Ray, a bond deeper than blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Tarisai won’t stand by and become someone’s pawn—but is she strong enough to choose a different path for herself?”

The Cousins
From the author of One Of Us Is Lying, Karen M. McManus is releasing her latest young adult mystery thriller on the third of December – perfect timing for Christmas shopping. I’ve read all her previous works (One Of Us Is Lying, One Of Us Is Next, Two Can Keep A Secret) and I’m very excited to be on the blog tour that The Write Reads is running for this book. I’m about half way through this read, and, as expected, it is just as incredible as her usual standard. I can’t wait to finish it and share my review with you all because this is just a must read.

For Adults
No matter which adult you are trying to please, I’ve got the right book for you. It’s been a brilliant book for literature all around, and I could list endless books here, but I’ll try and keep it relatively short and sweet.

These Violent Delights
1920s Shanghai, and a craze is killing off members of both the Scarlet Gang and their rivals, the White Flowers. Juliette Cai is the next in line as leader of the Scarlet Gang but is looked over for a male relative. Roma Montagov should take over the White Flowers… but his father doesn’t trust him to be vicious enough to fill the role.
When both Juliette and Roma witness deaths that seem to have a supernatural cause, they decide the only option is to team up to find the cause, before it’s too late. But all the while danger lurks, both from without, and within.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
I was lucky enough to be approved for a NetGalley copy of this beautiful book so read it before it was released on 6th October. After making a deal with the Devil to escape a marriage, Addie finds her words twisted to the point that she is forgotten immediately after meeting. Until one day, someone recognizes her, and everything changes completely. It’s an unforgettable, completely unique story that is great as a gift for anyone in your life – or for yourself, let’s be honest.

The Devil and the Dark Water
From the author of one of my favourite books of all time, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, comes this knockout of a book. A mystery set on a ship with a background of the East India company, this historical fiction is utterly breathtaking. I’ve recently finished it and didn’t want it to end. Told from multiple perspectives, there is someone for everyone to relate in with this cast of characters, and the story will take you across the seas and through such a range of emotions that you will not want to put it down.

Well there we go. Three books for each age bracket that will hopefully help you with book buying choices during this festive season. And as always if none of these work for you just let me know and I will help with personal shopping recommendations – I’m so nosy and such a bookworm, if it was an official job I’d be all set.