My stress levels are starting to soar. I’m already fed up of the Christmas adverts and it’s only the beginning of November. It’s not the day itself that I find stressful it’s the thought of choosing gifts – will I give something to be cherished or something to be sent to the charity shop in January? Can you go wrong with a book? I hope not.
This small selection is published by Chronicle books and has eased my worries already. I don’t think the books can be categorised as ‘For Mum, Dad, boy girl’ etc. All of them are interesting in their own right, beautifully illustrated and perfect to leave on the coffee table.
Tartine – A Classic Revisited – Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson
This beautifully rephotographed book is an updated edition of a classic for home and professional bakers―from one of the most acclaimed and inspiring bakeries in the world – Tartine in San Francisco. Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson have updated old recipes for new tastes and added 68 new ones – including their famous morning bun (a sweet roll made with croissant dough and filled with orange-scented cinnamon sugar).
60 favourites from the original book have been revamped to suit today’s tastes which include 30 wholegrain and/or gluten free recipes.
The photographs are mouth-wateringly beautiful and if you can’t make the journey to San Francisco at least you can create the flavours for yourself.
Chronicle Books £29.00
The Hollywood Book Club by Stephen Rea
Packed full of Movie Stars – Spencer Tracy, Marilyn Monroe, Lana Turner, Marlon Brando and many more. The stars are captured either on or off set, curled up with a book, reading to their children – or Ziegfeld Girls balancing them on their heads.
Featuring nearly 60 enchanting black and white images, lively captions about the stars and what they’re reading by Hollywood photo archivist Steven Rea. A great gift for booklovers and film fans. The perfect book to settle down with and savour.
Chronicle Books £11.99
All Hail the Queen
Twenty Women Who Ruled – Illustrated by Jenifer Orkin Lewis, written by Shweta Jha
Twenty real life stories of women who ruled – some were rulers by birth, others by marriage but all led lives of adventure and individuality. There are women we’ve perhaps all heard of – Marie Antoinette, Queen Victoria, Elizabeth 1st, Catherine the Great – and others we may not – Hatshepsut, Pharaoh of Egypt, Zenobia, Queen of Palmyra, and Lady Six Sky, Maya Queen of Naranjo. Women of strength and power who lived in times when women did not have equal status to men.
Beautifully illustrated by Jennifer Orkin Lewis it’s a jewel of a book. A delight on the eye.
Chronicle Books £13.99
The Hike by Alison Farrell
A delightfully illustrated story of friendship and adventure. Three little girls and their dog set off for a hike through the woods with a map – no GPS here! The children hike through the forest and up to the top of the mountain before heading home as the sun begins to set and the stars appear.
This spirited picture book covers the best and worst of any hike: from picnics to puffing and panting, deer-sighting to detours. Featuring a glossary, a sketchbook by one of the characters, abundant labels throughout, it’s a book for budding adventurers.
Chronicle Books £12.99