Is there anything better than unwrapping a new book on Christmas day? There are a million tomes on bookshop shelves but here are five of the favourites we'll be gifting next week. And our favourite place to buy them? Check out your local independent bookshop or buy online at Bookshop.org, a certified B-corp which gives over 80% of its profit margin to independent bookshops. In total, they support over 600+ stores - definitely the better option than Amazon...
The Inspired Traveller: Our World in 100 Cultural Places by Sarah Baxter and Susie Hodge (£20) will help you discover the destinations that have inspired the world’s greatest art, cinema, food, novels and music. Pure armchair travel, this book is for anyone with a sense of wanderlust and curiosity: immerse yourself in 100 places that have inspired a remarkable cultural environment. Split by continent, and with fascinating text and charming hand-drawn illustrations for each entry, this is the ultimate atlas of 100 cultural places every armchair traveller needs to know about.
The Creative Wellbeing Handbook (£19.99) is a practical guide to help you rediscover joy in your creative work and in your life. Whether you're a student, designer, artist, writer or other creative thinker, this book offers everyday tools to help you feel motivated and clear-headed. At the heart of the book is the Creative Ecosystem, an adaptable model built around five areas: Connection, Wonder, Pause, Movement and Joy. Through stories, exercises and research-backed ideas, you'll learn how to sustain your creativity by caring for yourself. You don't need more time or discipline - just a way to refuel with the resources you already have. Over 100 creatives from 26 countries contributed to this book, with interviews and quotes from founders, leaders, and strategists at Women of Type, Google, karlssonwilker inc. and Luminary, alongside independent creatives including Stefan Sagmeister, Daniel Eatock, Nelly Ben Hayoun-Stépanian, Zipeng Zhu, Jean Jullien, Elizabeth Olwen, Ji Lee and Catalina Estrada Uribe.
12 Ways to Kill Your Family at Christmas (£9.99) by Natasha Bache is perfect for fans of The White Lotus, Knives Out and anyone who’s ever wanted to strangle someone over Christmas lunch. It's a witty murder mystery which has had brilliant reviews - we know what we'd like to find in our Christmas stocking!
Cosmic Cocktails (£18.99) includes 100 astrological recipes from cocktail bar, The Alchemist, harnessing the power of the cosmos to mix the perfect drinks - both alcoholic and non - for each sign of the zodiac.This spell-binding guide is brimming with unique cocktails that embody each astrological sign's distinct personality traits, elements and ruling planets. Use it to infuse your gatherings with cosmic creativity with recipes from a mesmerising Smokey Paloma to a thirst-quenching Cherry Poppins.
The Scandinavian Year (£25) by Brontë Aurell is packed with delicious recipes inspired by Scandinavia, set across the year from January to December with beautiful images and cultural essays relating to food traditions and seasonal celebrations. Scandinavian food is simple; natives call it ‘husmanskost’ (farmer’s fare). This beautifully photographed book takes the reader on a journey across the region with hearty dishes the whole family will love.
