Forget tablets, laptops, gadgets, and gizmos, why not look to the old school art of gift giving this Christmas. Sometimes, there’s nothing more festive than opening a present to reveal a gorgeous hardback book. The smell of the new pages, the thrill of finding out the twists and turns of a new story and the ability to open a physical gift rather than venturing online to print off a voucher is special. This festive season, why not consider giving your nearest and dearest the finest novels, the greatest chunks of non-fiction and the greatest classics of a generation to broaden their horizons. Take a look at these books that you might want to gift this Christmas.
Brave New World
In the twenty first century when the world is looking more uncertain than ever, there is no better piece of dystopian fiction than Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. Set in the future, the world is based on class and intelligence. The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. Society looks bleak, and the world is devoid of emotions and feelings. However, one individual begins to question his place in the world. This curiosity gets him into a whole world of trouble. The story explores the sci-fi genre on a more human level and is seen as a classic of the dystopian fiction genre.
A Series Of Unfortunate Events
For the little human beings in the family, there’s no better series of books than those by Lemony Snicket aka Daniel Handler. These quirky, adventure stories follow a couple of children trying to navigate their way in the world after their parents have died. They have to fend off Count Olaf who is keen to claim their parents inheritance for themselves. The set of events that follow are hilarious, touching and well written. For those little darlings who adore adventure stories and twists and turns in their novels, there’s no better read.
Knowledge Of Angels
A modern classic by Jill Paton Walsh, Knowledge of Angels is a bit of a minefield when it comes to theological debate. Fitting for the festive season, the debate about whether God exists or not is handled sensitively with the backdrop of a mythical Mediterranean setting. The drifter meets the priest and a lofty debate rages with the clergy on an idyllic sunkissed island beginning to question their faith. For those literary beasts who adore their weighty novels, this is an ideal gift.
Animal Farm
George Orwell is a master of the allegory. Animal Farm represents the nuances of society well depicting life and rebellion upon a farm. The pigs become the leaders and take control of a totalitarian regime. While it sounds funny, the result is anything but, and it’s well worth a read for those young adults who fancy a more challenging text.
It’s time to forego the world of WiFi and hark back to a more innocent age. Imagine curled up on the sofa, a fire roaring and a novel in your hand. Have yourself a merry literary Christmas!
