Bookbag's Christmas Gift Recommendations 2011

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Are ebooks the future of books? Is it the right time to get an ebook reader? We thought about it long and hard. Yes we did. We don't often think about things this long or this hard, because it hurts. But sometimes, cogitations are necessary. We wouldn't be here at Bookbag if we didn't love books but we knew that more and more people were enjoying ebooks. It was time to find out what it was really like to have up to 3,500 books in your pocket or your bag. 3,500! Yikes! Full review...

A carefully chosen book is always a welcome gift, but it's not always easy to know which books are good and which have had the benefit of clever marketing. We've picked out the best books which we've seen this year and we think that you should be able to find something for everyone on your gift list.

Fiction

Crime

The Track of Sand by Andrea Camilleri

It's the twelfth of Camilleri's Inspector Montalbano novels but reads well as a standalone and you might be introducing someone to an author with a great back catalogue to explore.

We keep saying that Ian Rankin doesn't need our help to sell books but that could well be because he's hard to beat. His latest is the second in a new series (no need to have read the first but that's good too) and promises well for the future.

Domestic Violence and obsession feature in Into The Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes. It's a book with a rather dull cover - but what's inside is superb.

When we mention 'Swedish Crime Novel' and the name 'Larsson' you might well jump to conclusions about who we mean, but we've been impressed by Asa Larsson and we think you will be too.

Fantasy, Horror and Science Fiction

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

You think people have had enough of paranormal romances? We thought so too, but make room for one more as this is the first part of a very promising trilogy.

Sci-Fi fans will love Surface Detail by Iain M Banks the latest in his Culture series. No previous knowledge of the series is required: this is Sci-Fi at its best. Zero History by William Gibson is on the literary side of Science Fiction but it's a fast-moving and entertaining thriller.

Horror fans, whether adult or young adult, will love Mister Creecher by Chris Priestley, an interlude in the story of Frankenstein's monster. Chris Priestley just gets better and better!

General Fiction

Fated by S G Browne

Clever, funny and astute, this satire of humanity in all its shapes is a real winner. We loved it. It's a book which will set bells of recognition clanging in your head - and, as a present, it's just that little but different, isn't it?

We've yet to meet anyone - male or female - who hasn't enjoyed The Help by Kathryn Stockett. The lives of three women - two coloured maids and a white woman collide in nineteen-sixties Mississippi. Brilliant characters, excellent plot and highly recommended - we think it will become a modern classic. It's also a big film in 2011.

And now for something completely different: The Family Fang by Kevin Wilson. It's for everyone who ever thought their parents were embarrassing.. or pretentious... or inconsiderate... or able to break your heart. In fact, anyone who ever had a parent is likely to love this book.

If you'd like a couple of other suggestions then you might like to look at The Secrets of Pain by Phil Rickman and The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

Literary Fiction

The Barbarian Nurseries by Hector Tobar

It's been the year with a very contentious shortlist for the Booker Prize. Any of the books on the longlist would make a good present, but you might want something a little different.

In The Barbarian Nurseries Hector Tobar looks at a middle-class American family who have struggled hard to live the American dream. Their two young sons go missing with their surly Mexican maid and the situation soon turns into a nightmarish media circus.

For a big book (in all senses of the word) have a look at A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe or for a slim volume which packs in half a dozen literary prizes we recommend Accabadora by Michela Murgia and Silvester Mazzarella (Translator).

It's 50 years (how did that happen?) since Catch 22 by Joseph Heller was first published and there's an anniversary edition which will delight first-time readers or bring back memories for those who were there at the time. Another timely reissue is The Silent Cry by Kenzaburo Oe.

Historical Fiction

The Taker by Alma Katsu

A dark and fantastic story spanning two hundred years, a story that is captivating, intriguing and downright brilliant and just that little bit different!

We loved Ben Kane's Forgotten Legion trilogy and had great hopes for Hannibal: Enemy of Rome: we weren't disappointed!

Our reviewer loved The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman - an exquisite blend of history and fiction set in the last desperate days before the Roman siege on Masada in 70CE. It's an unforgettable journey through the human spirit.

When you mention the name 'John Buchan' most people think of The Thirty-nine Steps but we'd like to suggest A Lost Lady of Old Years set in the Jacobite Rising of 1745-6. It's a book to work at but it's tremendously rewarding.

Women's Fiction

The Red Thread by Ann Hood

An exceptional book, well written and beautifully crafted, that looks at how adopting from China can tug the heartstrings of parents on both sides. The prose is lyrical and it's a fresh, realistic story.

The trials and tribulations of teen love and friendships told through the eyes of a watchful mother in Night Road by Kristin Hannah. It's an extremely emotional read and one you won't forget in a hurry.

Love and Freedom by Sue Moorcroft won the Romance Reader Awards: Best Romantic Read 2011 and we can see why. It's thought-provoking as well as being a relaxing and entertaining read.

If you'd like some more suggestions have a look at our Top Ten Books For Your Auntie and Top Ten Books For Your Girlfriend.

Non Fiction

Biography

How to Survive the Titanic or the Sinking of J. Bruce Ismay by Frances Wilson

Within a matter of months it will be the centenary of the sinking of the Titanic. There will be a slew of books to commemorate the event, but this one looks at what happened from a slightly different perspective and we found it readable and informative.

For fans of political biographies we can recommend Supermac: The Life of Harold Macmillan by D R Thorpe. It's the fruit of over thirty years research and gives a balanced look at the man with an aristocratic background who was also the great-grandson of a crofter.

For another impartial biography, this time of a pop legend, we can recommend John Lennon: The Life by Philip Norman. It will tell you everything you want to know about the man who had premonitions that he would come to a bad end.

If we haven't suggested something that you fancy then have a look at at Top Ten Biographies and Autobiographies.

Cookery

Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi

Not necessarily a book for the purist vegetarian, but for those who enjoy vibrant food where the individual flavours sing out this book is a gold mine. It was the Best Cookbook in the Observer Food Monthly Awards 2011.

Still on the vegetarian theme High Fearnley- Whittingstall had a brief spell as a vegetarian in 2011 and he shares his recipes with you in River Cottage Veg Every Day!. We can tell you that it was a mackerel which tempted him back to the sins of the flesh!

It's not strictly a cookery book, more a history, but if you're interested in food then we think that you'll enjoy A History of English Food by Clarissa Dickson Wright. She always knew that she would write this book - and we always knew that we would read it!

If there's nothing here which appeals to you then have a look at our Top Ten Cookery Books.

History

Tower by Nigel Jones

If you had to choose a building which encapsulates English history then it would pobably be the Tower Of London and here we have a vivid account of the Tower, from its Norman beginnings as a prestigious fortress and palace, to its years of service as prison and torture chamber, and eventually premier tourist attraction.

For more of English history you might like to consider A History of England in 100 Places: From Stonehenge to the Gherkin by John Julius Norwich

For some American history we can recommend American Caesars: Lives of the US Presidents, from Franklin D Roosevelt to George W Bush by Nigel Hamilton. We've read it through from cover to cover and we've dipped into it to illustrate a point. It's one of those books you'd hate to be without.

Politics and Society

Decline and Fall: Diaries 2005 to 2010 by Chris Mullin

Excerpts from the Mullin Diaries from 2005 through to the end of the author's time in Parliament and the implosion of the New Labour administration. It's highly recommended and you could pair it with A View from the Foothills which was published at the beginning of the year.

The End of the Party: The Rise and Fall of New Labour by Andrew Rawnsley covers much of the same time frame and is a good read although it's definitely not an easy read. At 912 pages it's for the reader who is enthusiastic about their politics.

Fascinating and thought provoking, The Unwanted Sound of Everything We Want by Garrett Keizer is a 'must read' for anyone who lives with, near, or even as far away as possible from, anything that makes a noise.

Popular Science

Alex's Adventures In Numberland by Alex Bellos

A perfect look at all the cool, amazing and fascinating things going on in the world of maths. Part history of maths, part general trivia, it works perfectly for anyone with even a vague interest in maths. Highly recommended.

Why Can't Elephants Jump? by Mick O'Hare is the usual excellent Christmas bestseller from the New Scientist's Last Word column. Everything is as great as it has been in previous years, with no sign of getting stale or unoriginal. It's another highly recommended for all the family.

Look beyonf the quirky title because We Need To Talk About Kelvin by Marcus Chown is a brilliantly written popular science book, showing what everyday things can tell us about the universe. Geeky people will find it fascinating and a particularly enjoyable read. Heartily recommended.

Need some further suggestions? have a look at our Top Ten Books For Slightly Geeky People.

Children's Books

Teens

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

A book about love, loyalty and choices. Beautifully written and tremendously moving, it's a worthy follow up to the phenomenally successful Before I Die. Both books would make a generous present for the teen that likes real life stories. They'll also love Luke and Jon by Robert Williams, a gorgeous tale of grief, friendship and moving on. Moments of great clarity add true depth to this funny, sad, wise and truthful book. It has something for everyone. We can also recommend Losing It by Keith Gray: short stories about virginity by some of our leading writers for teens. Disparate, thoughtful, sweet and funny - they add a great deal to the conversation about teen sex that we all have, most importantly the teens themselves.

The teen that likes fantasy and sci-fi will enjoy Dark Life by Kat Falls and Dark Life by Kat Falls. Ou reviewers have also found much to recommend Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. It's long, deep, and totally enthralling - a Southern Gothic romantic fantasy to be savoured. If yu're lookng to give two books then you could link it with the sequel which has just been published.

You'll find some of these books in our Top Ten Teen Books of 2010 along with a few other suggestions.

If you'd like to look at some teen books yourself then have a look at our Top Ten Teen Books That Adults Should Read.

Confident Readers

The Boy Who Climbed Into The Moon by David Almond

It's the new David Almond for young readers. Do you really need to know any more? With daftness and heart by the bucketload, it's a must read.

Iggy and Me and the Happy Birthday by Jenny Valentine is the second outing for Iggy and Flo and if you're looking to give two books you could pair this book with the first. They're simple tales of family life and brimming with humour and interest. They're also wonderfully readable.

For anyone who loves the old stories The Orchard Book of Swords, Sorcerers and Superheroes by Tony Bradman and Tony Ross is a must have. There's Jason and the Argonauts, King Arthur, Aladdin, William Tell, Hercules, Sinbad, St George, Ali Baba, Theseus and Robin Hood. What more can we say?

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren is a true classic of children's literature, made all the more wonderful by Lauren Child's sublime illustrations. If the children in your life don't already have a copy of Pippi Longstocking, there's something very very wrong. Highly recommended.

A classic makes a thoughtful Christmas gift so you might like to have a look at Top Ten Classics of Children's Literature.

For Sharing

Blue Chameleon by Emily Gravett

Simple, sparse and minimalist it may be, but it's superb, laced with humour and wonderful illustrations. Emily Gravett does it again with an excellent book for the very youngest children. It's gorgeous, as is Apple Pie ABC by Alison Murray - the classic alphabet tale of an apple pie, rejigged, and with a wonderfully lively dog trying to get some of that tasty goodness. Put issues of originality right out of your mind - as alphabet books go, this is up there with the very best.

Me and You by Anthony Browne is the Goldilocks tale from a fresh perspective, but the more you dig, the more Me and You will reveal. It's an utterly gorgeous picture book that works on so so so many levels.

If you're looking for something amusing then have a look at Tortoise vs. Hare - The Rematch! by Preston Rutt and Ben Redlich - a hilarious, thrilling and wonderful look at the rematch between the tortoise and the hare. It's got all the energy of a Bugs Bunny cartoon, transferred perfectly to a picture book.

If you're looking for something seasonal we can recommend The Christmas Eve Ghost by Shirley Hughes and The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

Check out Bookbag's exciting features section, with interviews, top tens and editorials.

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