Christmas Gift Guide 2025

Fiction

Venetian Vespers by John Banville

Booker winner John Banville returns with an elegant page-turner. In Venice's eerie Palazzo Dioscuri, strange events and a sinister Count push two uneasy newlyweds toward madness, leaving groom Evelyn unsure whether he’s threatened by others – or his own unraveling mind.

Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake

From the internationally bestselling author of The Atlas Six, this is a contemporary and darkly fun novel about ambition, lust and eating your fill – as wealthy mums and sorority girls practise a sinister new wellness trend…

Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite

No man will call your house his home. And if they try, they will not have peace...

The follow-up to the global mega-seller My Sister, the Serial Killer, this is a novel about broken hearts and unbreakable curses.

Earlier this year, we gave you the chance to win a signed copy and luxury candles from Oré mi, with scents chosen by Oyinkan Braithwaite herself. Congratulations to Seema, who took home the big prize – and to the ten runners-up, who each won a signed copy of the book!

The Catch by Yrsa Daley-Ward

Estranged twins Clara and Dempsey reunite when Clara spots a woman identical to their vanished mother – unchanged by time and seemingly childless. As Clara insists she's real and Dempsey cries fraud, the sisters clash in this kaleidoscopic debut novel that asks, how can it ever, ever be a crime to choose yourself?

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards

Six desperate contestants join a Christmas murder-mystery game in a snowbound Yorkshire village, hosted by the secretive Midwinter Trust. As paranoia rises and the prize proves irresistible, players and staff alike abandon fair play – turning a fictional whodunnit into a real, deadly competition.

Plus: Martin Edwards has joined us to recommend his 7 favourite Christmas murder mysteries.

Open, Heaven by Seán Hewitt

Set in the English countryside, Open, Heaven unfolds over the course of one year as two teenage boys meet and transform each other's lives in this debut novel from award-winning poet Seán Hewitt.

Earlier this year, we gave you the chance to win a signed copy of Open, Heaven as well as a fashionable picnic set. Congratulations to Elaine who won the grand prize, and to the ten runners-up who each got a signed copy!

The Names by Florence Knapp

In this spellbinding and often heartbreaking debut novel, which opens during the storm in 1987, Cora hesitates to name her newborn son after his domineering father. Three possible names – Bear, Julian, or Gordon – unfold into three divergent lives, revealing how one choice reshapes a family's fate and how love persists across every path taken.

The House of Wolf by Tony Robinson

Sir Tony Robinson makes his adult fiction debut with this earthy, entertaining and gloriously witty recreation of the Anglo-Saxons, Alfred the Great, and the making of England.

The Waterfall by Gareth Rubin

Stories within stories as four interconnected mysteries take us through the ages, from Shakespeare's day to a 19th century Gothic former Priory, to 1920s Venice, and finally to 1940s California, from the bestselling author of The Turnglass. Read an interview with Gareth Rubin over in Long Reads!

Flesh by David Szalay

In the 2025 Booker Prize winner, István, a lonely Hungarian teen, enters an illicit relationship that derails his youth and shapes his future. Rising through the forces of money, power, and desire – from the army to London's elite – he gains immense wealth but risks total collapse in this stark exploration of ambition, intimacy, and a life's unraveling.

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Non-Fiction

Silk Roads by Anna Ansari

In this rich and delicious cookbook, Iranian-American cook and writer Anna Ansari weaves together essays, family photography and 90 recipes, taking us on a culinary, historical, and personal odyssey across the Silk Roads.

Ocean: Earth's Last Wilderness by Sir David Attenborough and Colin Butfield

David Attenborough and Colin Butfield explore the oceans' beauty, mystery, and vulnerability across a century of discovery. From polar seas to coral islands, they reveal the oceans' vital role – and their surprising capacity to recover – offering an urgent, hopeful call to restore our planet's last great wilderness.

This Way Up: When Maps Go Wrong (And Why It Matters) by Mark Cooper-Jones & Jay Foreman

YouTube duo The Map Men dive into history's most bizarre maps – ancient, colonial, corporate, Soviet, and modern – revealing hilarious mistakes, odd intentions, and unexpected stories. A playful tour through cartographic chaos, this book celebrates how the worst maps often make for the most entertaining discoveries.

Puzzle Mania!: Wordle, Connections, Spelling Bee, Minis and More! edited by Joel Fagliano

For puzzle newbies and solving savants alike, Puzzle Mania! is the perfect puzzle compendium for the holidays, a cure for boredom, and an invitation to friendly (or not-so-friendly) competition. This premium collection features exclusive content from the New York Times' popular games, from the Mini Crossword and Connections to everyone's favourite word workout, Wordle.

Baking & the Meaning of Life by Helen Goh

In her hotly anticipated debut solo cookbook, Ottolenghi pastry chef and recipe developer Helen Goh shares her 100 favourite baking recipes to show the many ways baking brings meaning and joy to our lives.

Home: How to Love It, Live in It and Find Joy in It by India Knight

India Knight guides readers room by room through the pleasures and imperfections of real homes, exploring why they ground our wellbeing. Warm, witty, and practical, Home celebrates everyday spaces – mess, meals, junk drawers and all – and shows how to create a place you truly love, whatever its size or shape.

Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane

A brilliant, perspective-shifting new book – which answers a resounding yes to the question of its title. At its heart is a single, transformative idea: that rivers are not mere matter for human use, but living beings.

Winter by Val McDermid

Val McDermid has always had a soft spot for winter: the bitter clarity of a crisp cold day, the vivid skies over the Firth of Forth and the crunch of frost on fallen leaves. In this book, she takes us on an adventure through the season.

One Cheese to Rule Them All by Patrick McGuigan & Carlos Yescas

A charmingly geeky journey through the fascinating stories and stats behind the 100 best cheeses in the world – part handbook, part travel guide and part food odyssey to find the ONE cheese to rule them all...

Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs by Mirander Sawyer

Miranda Sawyer revisits Britpop's wild mid-90s explosion through twenty defining songs and the misfits who made them. With fresh interviews and behind-the-scenes stories, she captures the era's exhilaration – from Oasis and Blur to Tricky and PJ Harvey – celebrating the music and the moment when British pop felt revolutionary.

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Biography and Memoir

A Mind of My Own by Kathy Burke

Kathy Burke's memoir traces her journey from a determined Islington child to acclaimed actor and cultural icon. Funny, candid, and unapologetically herself, she reflects on her career, beloved roles, and outspoken views, offering a witty and wise look at a life lived entirely on her own terms.

Fly, Wild Swans: My Mother, Myself and China by Jung Chang

A book filled with drama, love, curiosity and incredible history, this is the follow-up to the international bestseller, Wild Swans, and brings the story of Jung Chang’s family – along with that of China – up to date.

Fly, Wild Swans was one of the 40 books included in our popular bi-annual guide to the best new books to come to bookshops in 2025.

Vagabond by Tim Curry

Tim Curry's memoir celebrates a five-decade career from The Rocky Horror Picture Show to It and Spamalot. He reflects on his rise from a challenging childhood, iconic roles, and voice work, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, resilience after a stroke, and the enduring impact he's had on fans and the entertainment world.

Simply More: A Book for Anyone Who Has Been Told They're Too Much by Cynthia Erivo

Cynthia Erivo shares personal stories of growth, perseverance, and self-discovery, from mastering Wicked to embracing marathon running. Through these vignettes, she shows that life's journey is ongoing, and every small step – on stage, on screen, or in the streets – brings us closer to our dreams.

Fires Which Burned Brightly by Sebastian Faulks

Sharply perceptive and alive with a generous wit, this is a new wise, warm and deeply moving work of memoir from Sebastian Faulks, the bestselling author of Birdsong.

I Shop, Therefore I Am by Mary Portas

Legend of the high street Mary Portas returns with a no-holds-barred account about her time as the window dresser for Harvey Nichols that's full of juicy anecdotes from the fashion world and 90s nostalgia.

Truly by Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie's long-awaited memoir chronicles his journey from shy Tuskegee child to global superstar. Candid and inspiring, he shares his rise with The Commodores, Motown success, solo stardom, and We Are the World, blending humor, hardship, and love into a vivid story of music, fame, and personal triumph.

Frankly by Nicola Sturgeon

The long-awaited, intimate memoir from Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first female First Minister and former leader of the SNP, reflecting on her life and times at the forefront of Scottish and British politics.

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Picture Books and Early Readers (0-6 years)

Bluey: Oooh. Shiny! Flashlight Book & Box Set (0+)

Hooray, grab your flashlight and stay up late with Bluey and Bingo!

Includes a real working flashlight with 5 sound and giggle buttons. Bluey: Oooh, Shiny! will keep young readers engaged and entertained at bedtime; bundle with our brand-new Bluey gift card to give a budding bookworm their first taste of choosing something for themselves – for real life!

We're currently giving you the chance to win a brilliant Bluey bundle, including a £20/€25 gift card, over on National Book Tokens Discover!

Tiger, It's Snowing! by Daishu Ma (2+)

Join lovable duo Mei and Tiger in a touching story about friendship, embracing the day, and new experiences in a snow-filled winter adventure filled with wonder and delight.

Bear Heart written by Louise Greig and illustrated by Hoang Giang (3+)

Earnest is a bear with a big heart…  but is his heart big enough to hold a lion? A beautiful picture book for young children about love, friendship and how the things you love make you feel.

I’m Very Busy by Oliver Jeffers (3+)

This picture book shows how friends are far more important than the busy-ness of a day. Oliver Jeffers' bold and brilliant art pairs with a powerful story that makes readers realise what truly matters.

Badger Books by Paddy Donnelly (3+)

'Badger Books' is a bookshop, run by a badger. You can find books about every animal. From bears to elephants, tigers to dinosaurs and pandas to narwhals. But there's one book they don’t have... and it's one that Rory the Fox really, really wants.

Paddy Donnelly's charming story is the perfect book to bundle with our exclusive Badger Books gift card.

The History of We by Nikkolas Smith (4+)

Through stunning paintings and prose by award-winning artivist Nikkolas Smith, The History of We is a celebration of our shared ancestry and creative heritage. "A rich and beautifully told history of humanity... Sublime" Joseph Coelho

Children of the Throne written by Joseph Coelho and illustrated by Richard Johnson (5+)

A gentle, poetic story about working together, building communities and living in sync with nature. This important first look at climate change and protecting the natural world is brought to life by sweeping and emotive illustrations.

Winnie-the-Pooh 100th Anniversary Edition written by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard (5+)

This special anniversary collection of the classic Winnie-the-Pooh stories will delight fans young and old. Relive your favourite moments in the Hundred Acre Wood, brought stunningly to life with the iconic original decorations by E.H. Shepard.

Unicorn Post by Emma Yarlett (5+)

On a day full of rainbows, a little girl finds a unicorn knocking on the door of her treehouse. This is a vibrant picture book by Emma Yarlett, packed full of magic and interactive surprises!

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Children's Fiction (7-12 years)

The Notted Island by Katherine Child (9+)

Colour has not reached the Last Island, so it's time for Umbertiska Lupp to take matters into her own hands. This stunningly illustrated book, which A.F. Harrold calls "a glorious pocket-sized gem of a whole new world", was one of our children's Discover First selections this year – and you can still read the first two chapters!

When the Sky Falls Graphic Novel written by Phil Earle and adapted by Fred Fordham (9+)

A stunning graphic-novel edition of Phil Earle's multi-award-winning tale about the incredible friendship between a young boy and a silverback gorilla during WWII, inspired by a true story and adapted by artist Fred Fordham.

The Last Bard by Maz Evans (9+)

The bestselling author of Who Let the Gods Out is back with a brand-new story packed full of humour and heart! In an unexpected twist, Will Davenant inherits his grandfather's Complete Works of Shakespeare – and makes a surprising discovery. As the last living relative of Shakespeare, Will can summon the Bard's heroes from the pages…

Dance of Resistance written by Catherine Johnson and illustrated by Kate Hickey (9+)

A celebration of the incredible life of Josephine Baker, chronicling her journey from an impoverished childhood to beloved actress, dancer and wartime heroine – giving an insight into the prejudice and challenges she faced.

Gloam written by Jack Mackay and illustrated by Joel Price (9+)

A seriously spooky gothic spinechiller for young fans of A Series of Fortunate Events or The Monsters of Rockhaven. A grieving family. A decaying house. A babysitter with a monstrous secret. Nothing on Gloam Island is quite what it seems.

Bunny vs Monkey: Intergalactic Monkey Business by Jamie Smart (7+)

There's a new mischief-maker in The Woods – Little Monkey! A smaller, cuter, and even stranger Monkey than our beloved chaos-causer. But as Bunny and friends try to work out his motives, they are led far from the woods... into outer space. And on Planet Monkey, the laughs are positively intergalactic!

Bundle the brilliant latest installment in Jamie Smart's zany graphic novel series with our exclusive Bunny vs Monkey gift card.

Scarlet Morning by ND Stevenson (8+)

From the powerhouse creator of Nimona comes a breathtaking illustrated novel, the start of a duology, following two orphans who leave the only home they've ever known to sail with an eccentric crew of pirates.

The Cloud Kingdom written by Máire Zepf and illustrated by Andrew Whitson (7+)

An enchanting collection of interconnecting stories, reminiscent of fairytales and fables of past and present, but entirely new. Featuring beautiful full-colour illustrations throughout – perfect for bedtime and fireside reading.

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Children's Non-Fiction

Football School Facts: A Fact for Every Day of the Year written by Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton and illustrated by Spike Gerrell 7+)

It's time to kick off a year of fact-tastic football! Packed with over 365 incredible stories, stats, goals and birthdays, there's an amazing new football fact to discover every day of the year.

Mr Search and Mrs Find (5+)

Packed with sophisticated artwork, this clever and incredibly detailed search-and-find activity book will keep children entertained for hours of hide-and-seek fun and includes over 18 activities to solve.

How it Works: The Universe written by Amy Chiu and illustrated by Kaley McKean (7+)

Blast off to investigate the mysteries of the Universe: from blazing stars to the unreachable depths of space. Discover where the Universe came from, how it works (clue: it has a lot to do with gravity) and what else might be out there...

Mythology Land written by Claire Cock-Starkey and illustrated by Pham Quang Phuc (7+)

This book opens the gates to the magical lands of all the characters and creatures of myth. These expertly retold stories are perfect for bedtime, and each story is followed by an exquisitely illustrated map of its world.

A Wild Child's Guide to Nature at Night written by Dara McAnulty and illustrated by Barry Falls (7+)

Join brilliant award-winning naturalist Dara McAnulty on a night-time walk and experience the joy of connecting with the natural world on a multi-sensory journey.

Bust or Trust: A Kids' Mystery Book written by Small Wardour and illustrated by Sam Peet (7+)

Are you ready to unravel the world's greatest mysteries? Explore legendary people, strange events, mythical creatures, magical places and otherworldly tales with 10 real-life cases from the creators Bust or Trust podcast.

Making It Up As You Go Along: A Children’s Guide to Writing Stories written by Patricia Forde and illustrated by Mary Murphy (8+)

Learn how to write stories with Patricia Forde, Eoin Colfer, Pádraig Kenny, Derek Landy and more of Ireland's beloved children's authors. Find inspiration, develop plots, craft characters and build worlds.

Anime and Manga Mega Handbook by Scholastic (8+)

This comprehensive, unofficial fan handbook is packed with recaps, character bios, plot theories, trivia, and backstory. Covering everything from One Piece to Sailor Moon and Spy x Family, it's perfect for fans wanting to master anime and manga knowledge.

Plus: check out our new Manga Heroes gift card, designed by British manga artist Sonia Leong – perfect as a gift bundle for any manga mega fans looking to expand their collection.

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Young Adult (13+)

Sunrise on the Reaping: Collector's Edition by Suzanne Collins (12+)

The instant global number one bestseller and the book everyone is talking about, now in a deluxe collectors' edition with a stunning new design, foil and patterned edge, this is the fifth Hunger Games book and a must for the shelves of fans.

Owl King by Bex Hogan (12+)

A dark, captivating YA tale of deception and survival, set in the Realm of Never Moon where faeries live in fear of the Owl King. Welcome to a world of glittering courts, dangerous bargains and dazzling trickery.

Ladult: Navigating Safely From Boy to Man by Dr Andy Cope and Oliver Cope (13+)

A guide for boys, which acknowledges growing up challenges, offers positive solutions, tackles big issues lightly, promotes non-toxic masculinity traits like confidence, kindness, empathy, and leadership.

Songlight by Moira Buffini (13+)

In a post-apocalyptic world, those with songlight – telepathic abilities – are hunted. Lark, herself gifted, forms a dangerous bond with a stranger, navigating a society where friends and family can betray at any moment. The first book in the Torch trilogy, and winner of the YA Book Prize 2025.

My Dad Fights Demons by Bobby Joseph and Abbigayle Bircham (13+)

From the UK's Comics Laureate, a YA graphic novel about the misadventures of a down-on-his-luck teenager and the dimension-hopping, demon-battling sorcerer who just happens to be his absentee father.

Mondays Are Murder by Ravena Guron (14+)

Seventeen-year-old Kay returns home after a tragedy, only to find a mysterious letter predicting daily horrors – culminating in her own murder. Racing against time, she must uncover the sender before Monday, in this twist-filled YA thriller of suspense, danger, and deadly secrets.

A Heart for Christmas written by Sophie Jomain and illustrated by Manon Bucciarelli (14+)

A gorgeous swoony romance, Chalet Girl meets Dash and Lily, in which a lonely girl finds love in the snow with a hot ski instructor. All presented in the form of an Advent novel. Read a chapter a day until 24th December!

Feminist History for Every Day of the Year written by Kate Mosse and illustrated by Sophie Bass (14+)

With an entry for every day of the year, this is an empowering, unique and accessible celebration of women throughout history, from well-known figures to unsung heroes, written by bestselling author and feminist champion, Kate Mosse and illustrated by Sophie Bass – whose Booklovers gift card, designed just for us, makes the perfect bundle for an avid young reader.

The Rose Field: The Book of Dust Volume Three by Philip Pullman (14+)

Thirty years after readers were first introduced to Lyra Belacqua, Lyra and Malcolm journey across a world aflame, reuniting with allies and confronting the Magisterium. As Lyra searches for her lost dæmon, secrets of the alethiometer, Dust, and imagination are revealed, culminating the epic saga begun in The Book of Dust and His Dark Materials.

Complete their collection with our stunning Book of Dust gift card.

Bone Broth by Alex Taylor (14+)

A coming-of-age queer thriller and Winner of the First Graphic Novel Award. Transmasculine youth Ash must use his culinary skills to clean up the mess of an untimely death at the ramen shop where he works.

Young adults may also enjoy something from our general Fiction and Memoir recommendations: look out for Wicked star Cynthia Erivo's motivational Simply More, and the darkly funny Girl Dinner by Olivie Blake.