The best books to gift for Christmas 2024

Christmas is not always the season of goodwill. As this hugely entertaining collection shows, it can also be the season of mysterious deaths, hidden poison bottles and blunt instruments. This collection of eleven stories from the Golden Age of British crime writing features festive whodunnits by Margery Allingham and Ngaio Marsh. There are unexplained deaths by all manner of suspects and dastardly Christmas crimes to be solved. Each story is brilliantly plotted – some deliciously tense, others laced with humour – and each is bound to thoroughly entertain.

Round About the Christmas Tree is the perfect Christmas gift for book lovers, as all facets of the festive season are represented here in one gorgeous volume. From Charles Dickens to Arthur Conan Doyle, there’s a Christmas story here for everyone. Part of Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket-sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers, this book is perhaps best suited as a stocking-filler. 

This beautiful Christmas gift features a superb selection of writing by celebrated Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, opening with the enchanting A Child’s Christmas in Wales. This classic tale captures the magic of family, snowy countryside, and Christmas, inspired by Thomas's childhood. Also included are stories from Portrait of the Artist as a Young Dog, which vividly evoke his youth, and a selection of his finest poems, such as 'And death shall have no dominion' and 'Do not go gentle into that good night'. 

Show your love this Christmas with this meticulously chosen collection of stories about love in all its guises. O. Henry brings comedy with his tale of a busy broker working too hard to remember that he’s actually married his adored young wife. There’s Anton Chekhov’s famous story about true love and devotion, The Lady with the Dog and Katherine Mansfield writes touchingly about unrequited love in Mr. and Mrs. Dove. With stories spanning first love to enduring love in old age, from infatuation to heartbreak told by some of the best writers, Classic Love Stories makes a perfect gift.

From the eerie to the magical by way of the deeply strange, this collection of short stories is a the perfect present for all fantasy fans. Oscar Wilde’s The Happy Prince draws on the great fairy tale tradition. Elizabeth Gaskell’s The Old Nurse gives us a taste of the Gothic whilst H.P. Blavatsky journeys into the weird. The effects of war and loss are keenly felt by Arthur Machen in his moving story The Bowmen. And in Victorian times, children’s writers such as Edith Nesbit spin the most charming fantastical tales in stories like The Dragon Tamers. These amazing feats of imagination brilliantly showcase the many facets of fantasy writing.

Ten of the world’s most famous and cherished fairy stories published in a beautiful, cloth-bound gift edition together with gorgeous, classic illustrations in colour and black and white throughout. We’ve all grown up with fairy tales, whether it be through children’s books, on screen or in modern retellings. Enchanted Tales & Happily Ever Afters is a very carefully and lovingly curated book that features ten of the most popular fairy stories in the world. Each story goes back to the source from which so much has sprung, from picture books and stage shows, to animated films and their live action interpretations.

Black History for Every Day of the Year by historian and broadcaster David Olusoga and his siblings, offers a compelling, far-reaching look at Black history. This brilliant gift gives readers daily insight into remarkable figures and events. Did you know Aretha Franklin was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Or that a Black woman discovered the cure for leprosy? Featuring quotes, poems, illustrations, and stories of resistance, creativity, and celebration, this book spans from the anti-slavery movement to modern icons like Stormzy and Simone Biles, offering new perspectives on history.

A book that beautifully celebrates friendship is With You Every Step. The moving affection between rugby legends, fundraising heroes and best friends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield has inspired and uplifted the nation. In this truly special, pocket-sized gift book, heartfelt words from Rob and Kevin are brought to life with artwork from leading illustrators, to create an inspiring and hopeful celebration of love, support and connection. Exploring universal truths and celebrating kindness, empathy and the joy of friendship, With You Every Step is the perfect way to show the special people in your life, young and old, just how much they mean to you.

Why do Australians with swimming pools keep a float tied to a nearby tree? Where in London is there a passenger train that no one boards? And what made Yreka, California, famous for its bread? Welcome to Lateral, where creativity and curiosity are key. With 100 mind-bending questions designed to make you think outside the box, it’s perfect for a solo challenge or game night. From hit YouTuber Tom Scott comes a new type of quiz book – but can you outsmart the questions?

Sizzle & Drizzle by Great British Bake Off winner Nancy Birtwhistle is a must-have for any baker from seasoned pros to kitchen novices. This green edition of her first cookbook features over 100 easy and delicious recipes, from failsafe cakes to show-stopping desserts. With tips on making different pastries, preserving food, and free-from options, Nancy has something for everyone. Packed with budget-friendly hacks and QR codes linking to videos of Nancy demonstrating the dishes, this book is a practical guide for baking success.

The perfect gift for any eighteen-year-old, or indeed anyone at all, historian Alice Loxton's Eighteen is an unconventional and witty exploration of Britain's history through the lives of eighteen notable figures at the age of eighteen. From a young Elizabeth Tudor navigating court intrigue to Empress Matilda already shaping nations, the book delves into how key individuals faced their formative years. Packed with fascinating stories of royalty, explorers, and entertainers, Eighteen provides unique insights into the past and asks what lessons can be learned for modern Britain.

Ten powerful stories reveal species that have gone extinct since the start of the twenty-first century. From giant tortoises to sesame seed-sized snails, and from ocean-hopping trees to tail-wagging fish, these lost wonders are brought back to life for a moment. As Earth faces a sixth mass extinction, this book reflects on what we lose when species vanish. Through personal accounts of those who studied and tried to save these creatures, and completed with beautiful illustrations, Lost Wonders offers both a moving tribute to recently extinct species and an urgent call to protect what remains.

In 2020, while restoring a walled garden in Suffolk, Olivia Laing was drawn into a deeper exploration of paradise and its long connection to gardens. Her journey weaves through real and imagined gardens, from Milton’s Paradise Lost to Derek Jarman’s queer utopia at Dungeness, uncovering the complex history behind the creation of earthly paradises. Not just symbols of privilege, gardens have also been sites of rebellion and communal dreams. The Garden Against Time beautifully examines how gardens, rich with possibility, can inspire new ways of living.

These are the stories of the powerful Greek goddesses, as fearsome and beloved as their male counterparts. It’s time to look beyond the ruins and uncover their true strength. Hera, often seen as vengeful, is more complex than a mere villain. Demeter, a devoted mother, will stop at nothing to retrieve her daughter from Hades. The Furies, relentless in their quest for vengeance, surprisingly offer lessons for our modern lives. Full of fire, fury, and devotion, Divine Might brings the divine women of ancient myths into the present, challenging everything we thought we knew about these legendary figures.

A Book Lover’s Guide to the Zodiac marries astrology and literature by connecting both writers and fictional characters to the twelve different star signs and their particular traits. Astrology and literature have so much in common: our star signs help us to understand ourselves, our motivations and our behaviour, whilst reading enables us to make sense of the world, our own characters and those around us. With a chapter devoted to each star sign, and featuring entertaining extracts and poetry by classic writers, there’s much to learn here. Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library, these beautiful books make perfect gifts for any book lover.

There is something beautiful and wild in the impossible architecture of lighthouses. They have been the homes and workplaces of men and women whose romantic guardianship has saved countless lives from cruel seas. Yet while that way of life fades away, we still have their stories. With over thirty tales that explore the depths to which we can sink and the heights to which we can soar as human beings, and accompanied by beautiful illustrations, nautical charts, maps, architectural plans and curious facts, A Brief Atlas of the Lighthouses at the End of the World is as full of wonder as the far-flung lighthouses themselves.

Create an oasis of calm and find what sparks your joy with the first full-colour, beautifully photographed guide from Marie Kondo. Over a decade on from the launch of her bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo is back with new wisdom on how to transform your life and home into spaces of calm. This guide introduces the concept of kurashi – meaning way of life – and encourages readers to spend every day in the pursuit of joy, moving her focus from the physical act of tidying towards an even more holistic and personal approach to curating our environments.

Rob Burrow’s inspirational memoir reflects on his extraordinary rugby league career, his enduring friendship with fellow Rhino Kevin Sinfield, and his courageous battle with motor neurone disease. Despite being told he was too small for the sport, Rob defied expectations, winning eight Super League Grand Finals and representing his country in two World Cups. In 2019, Rob was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, yet his determination and positivity inspired millions. Far more than a sports memoir, this is a remarkable, awe-inspiring story of boundless courage and infinite kindness.

Acclaimed royal biographer Robert Hardman captures the tumultuous early reign of Charles III. Faced with the immense challenge of succeeding Elizabeth II, Charles steps into a monarchy under scrutiny, amid political upheavals and a steady flow of headlines surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Drawing on exclusive access to royal insiders and unpublished papers, Hardman details the emotional transition following the Queen’s death, Charles’s ambitious plans for modernizing the monarchy, and Queen Camilla's crucial role. Charles III offers a compelling portrait of a modern monarch determined to make his mark.

When 'Never Gonna Give You Up' launched Rick Astley into pop superstardom, it transformed his life overnight. At just nineteen, Rick signed with music producer Pete Waterman, stepping into the whirlwind of the industry and skyrocketing to international fame with platinum albums and world tours. But by twenty-seven, at the peak of his career, Rick walked away from the limelight. In Never, Rick reflects on his meteoric rise, the pressures of fame, and his personal struggles. With humor and introspection, he shares how stepping back helped him find contentment and stage a triumphant return to music.

Katarina Johnson-Thompson’s journey to becoming a double world heptathlon champion and Team GB Olympian was anything but easy. Raised by a single mother in Liverpool, with limited resources compared to her peers, she faced many challenges. Yet, her perseverance led her to the world stage, where she competed at the London Olympics at just sixteen. In Unbroken, she shares her story of determination, her complex relationship with mentor-turned-rival Jessica Ennis-Hill, and the mental and physical discipline it takes to succeed. This memoir is a testament to the power of resilience, self-belief, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.

Lisa Marie Presley’s story is told in her own voice for the first time, completed by her daughter, Riley Keough. In From Here to the Great Unknown, Lisa Marie shares raw and heartfelt memories: childhood antics at Graceland, the deep bond with her father, the grief of losing him, and the turmoil of her rebellious youth. From her marriages to Michael Jackson and Danny Keough, to her struggles with addiction and motherhood, Lisa Marie's life was one of passion, joy, and pain. Riley’s voice intertwines with her mother’s in this deeply moving memoir, fulfilling Lisa Marie’s wish to make her story known.

Full of Christmas cheer, this beautiful volume brings together some of the world’s favourite festive poems in one beautiful volume, perfect for stockings or under the tree. In this Macmillan Collector’s Library edition, writers from William Shakespeare to Christina Rossetti are brought together to illuminate this most magical time of year. For more inspiration, discover our favourite Christmas poems.

The enchanting festive poem from Carol Ann Duffy, former Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom, and adorned with sumptuous illustrations by artist Margaux Carpentier, Christmas Eve at The Moon Under Water is the perfect festive gift for the poetry lover in your life. As all the old rivalries of the natural world are suspended for one miraculous night, a man stands shoulder to shoulder with an animal, and predator and prey add warble and wail to the Yuletide chorus.

With his signature wit, Brian Bilston returns with And So This is Christmas, fifty-one poems in celebration of the festive season: from bizarre family traditions to the office Christmas party; from voting day for turkeys to the impossible art of gift-giving. Wrap this up as a stocking-filler, pop it under the tree or read it aloud at Christmas dinner to get the whole table laughing. 

365 Poems for Life, an uplifting poem-a-day collection from award-winning curator Allie Esiri, is the perfect gift for any poetry lover as we enter the New Year. This nourishing poem-a-day collection offers readers a brief moment of escape from daily life through some of the warmest words in the English language. Whether you’re searching for wisdom or looking to boost your wellbeing, dip into this anthology to share with others or enjoy a quiet moment of calm every day of the year.