Books make the most thoughtful presents. Here are some of my favourites I’ve read this year, either before I started this blog, or books I couldn’t squeeze into the running ‘Book of the Month’ feature.
May We Be Forgiven by A.M. Holmes RRP £8.99
Dark, satirical and relentlessly shocking, you’ll feel bad for laughing as the plot turns for the unexpected… throughout. George, a successful but bad-tempered television executive flies into a murderous rage that changes everything. His brother, Harry, an underachieving university lecturer specialising in President Nixon, finds himself at the helm of the family. It’s a sort of American disaster-ridden twenty-first century Lucky Jim. Such a good read.
The Extraordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 81 by J.B. Morrison RRP £7.99
A comic, tongue-in-cheek book. Frank was run over by a milk float on his 81st birthday, which makes it difficult for him to manage by himself, as he lives on his own. He gets bored, and spends his days watching daytime TV and feels a bit down. That is, until his home-help Kelly Christmas comes along. Then his entire outlook changes!
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn RRP £8.99
If you’re looking for a great page-turner and utterly compelling storyline, Gone Girl is the book to buy. Nick’s perfect wife Amy goes missing on their 5th wedding anniversary. You realise you need to find out what happened to her, fast!
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt RRP £20 (Hardback)
It’s so good I’m still reading it.
Dior by Alexandra Palmer RRP £19.99
Sketches, history, photographs, ideas… the best guide to Christian Dior. A gift all fashionistas would want to receive.
Mary Berry’s Complete Cookbook RRP £10
From the how to make the lightest cheese omelette to cooking a perfect roast goose at Christmas, this cookbook covers all food-bases! It’s an ideal book to give to someone going to university or a cooking novice.
And I highly recommend the very special ‘Letters of Note’ and ‘Lists of Note’ books.
Buy local! Independent Bookshops in Surrey
The Cobham Bookshop, 12A Anyards Road, Cobham.
Barton’s Bookshop, 2 Bridge Street, Leatherhead.
Haslemere Bookshop, 2 Causewayside, High Street, Haslemere.
Wisley Bookshop, RHS Wisley, Woking.
My copy of ‘The Extraordinary Life of Frank Derrick, Age 81’ was kindly sent to me (on my request) to review.
