Stocking thrillers
A Year Unfolding Angela Harding Sphere, £20
Trace the changing of the seasons through the eyes of Angela Harding whose stunning lino and silkscreen prints are inspired by the view from her Rutland studio. Meet the creatures who inhabit her village, from wild rabbits nestled among daffodils to hares in the snow, in a beautiful book full of charm and character.
The Lyrics Paul McCartney Allen Lane, £75
Yes, that’s a hefty price tag, but these two beautifully produced hardbacks give a lot of bang for your buck. Macca recalls the inspiration behind 154 of his songs and the collaborative process of writing them, his stories taking in Lennon, Linda and fame, and there’s a trove of photographs and memorabilia from his personal archive. He says the time has never been right to write a full memoir but this collection is brimming with insights into the man and the music.
A Cook’s Book Nigel Slater 4th Estate, £30
The inimitable Nigel Slater gathers a collection of the recipes he prepares most frequently. Though he keeps his meals as minimal and unfussy as he can, his writing is expansive and enjoyably anecdotal. Chapters include A Bowl Of Soup and Everyday Dinners to Sometimes, You Just Want Pie and Four Chocolate Cakes. It’s a beautifully designed book, spilling over with tempting ideas.
The Storyteller Dave Grohl
Simon & Schuster, £20 The charismatic Foo Fighters frontman recounts his life and times in an engrossing, thoughtful and lively autobiography where even the pre-fame stories are fascinating. From Washington’s post-punk scene to Nirvana, from stadium-filling success to parenthood, Grohl’s memoir will stand the test of time.
Spring Cannot Be Cancelled David Hockney and Martin Gayford Thames & Hudson, £25
When lockdown struck, David Hockney embraced the chance to focus on his art from his ancient Normandy farmhouse. His reflective conversations with art critic Martin Gayford are beautifully illustrated by his vibrant iPad artworks, alongside images of the art that influenced him, from Van Gogh to Monet.
The Searchers: The Quest For The Lost Of The First World War Robert SackvilleWest
Bloomsbury, £25
Over 500,000 soldiers were missing, presumed dead, in the wake of the First World War, leaving devastated families to embark upon quests for answers. Their stories are recounted in this poignant and fascinating account, which ranges from Rudyard Kipling walking in his son’s footsteps to EM Forster’s investigations into the missing for the Red Cross, and from the growth of spiritualism to the role of modern DNA profiling.
And Away… Bob Mortimer Simon & Schuster, £20
Following a poignant account of his troubled formative years, Bob Mortimer’s life bursts into glorious technicolour when he meets Vic Reeves aged 25. He recounts the heady early days of stardom, a new lease of life following open heart surgery aged 2015, and finding his own voice at last in Gone Fishing. It’s a delight to spend time in the world of humble, big-hearted Bob.
Vivid Julia Green and Armelle Habib Hardie Grant, £30
For interiors stylist Julia Green, colour choice is the most important aspect of interior design with the greatest power to transform the mood of a room. Urging readers to make bold choices in everything from fabric and furniture to accessories, Julia explores the power of eight key colours, and Armelle Habib’s punchy photographs provide a treasure trove of inspiration.
The Armchair General: Can You Defeat The Nazis? John Buckley Century, £14.99
Remember the Choose
Your Own Adventure books? This clever grown-up version allows you to step into the shoes of Second World War leaders from Winston Churchill to General Eisenhower and briefs you with the information they had to make key decisions in defining moments of the war. Do you advance or retreat? Do you send in more troops? Your answers dictate which chapter you go to next – where you find out the consequences of your choices.
Chasing Smoke Sarit Packer and Itamar Srulovich Pavilion, £26
Explore the versatility of the grill with recipes inspired by the food of Haifa, Jerusalem, Marrakesh, Kefalonia and London. Chapters range from Fruit & Vegetables to Birds, and Lamb & Other Meats. But the chefs insist the chapter on bread contains the most important recipes.
There are also short essays about their travels and vibrant photos of the places that inspired their ideas. A deliciously escapist read.
Wintering Katherine May Rider, £16.99
“This is a hymn to a much-maligned season,” says
Katherine May, for whom winter is a time of withdrawal and retreat. In this thoughtful blend of memoir and reflection, she explores ways to approach a challenging season and also addresses emotional wintering – difficult periods of life that may affect us at any time of year – with advice on how to cope during difficult days and emerge renewed.
Curate Lynda Gardener and Ali Heath Mitchell Beazley, £30
Lynda Gardener is known as the “queen of white” and believes that a judicious mix of white textures, patterns and finishes create a maximalist effect. Setting them alongside other neutrals – black, grey and brown – she aims for a timeless modern rustic ambience and there’s no shortage of fresh ideas in a book exploring 10 stylish homes.
Bedside Companion For Gardeners Jane McMorland Hunter Batsford, £20
The green-fingered will love this anthology which gathers garden writing for every day of the year, ranging from practical advice and ideas to prose and poetry, spanning the 16th century to the present day. Including passages by Shakespeare and Dickens, and by gardening writers Margery Fish and Gertrude Jekyll, this thoughtful selection will offer a fresh perspective on your outdoor space.
Fry’s Ties Stephen Fry
Michael Joseph, £14.99
During a lockdown clear out, Stephen Fry unearthed drawerfuls of ties, bow ties and cravats which he started posting on Instagram, sharing quirky stories of their provenance. They are all gathered here as he “ponders, speculates on and celebrates ties”.
Captain Tom’s Life Lessons
Captain Sir Tom Moore Michael Joseph, £12.99 This small book punches above its weight with words of wisdom from national treasure Sir Tom who died this year. Urging us to face each day with positivity and “the intention of doing some good”, he gives glimpses into his life story and shares the lessons he learned.
Pocket Art Lorna Scobie Hardie Grant, £12.99
Unleash your creative side with this compact hardback containing 100 inventive ideas, some for relaxation, some for developing your artistic skills, some for feeding your imagination. As you turn splodges into animals, devise patterns in a grid, or complete a painting of flowers, you’ll also experience calming mindfulness.
Atlas Of Imagined Places Matt Brown and Rhys B Davies
Batsford, £25
This quirky atlas shows maps of countries across the world to document fictional locations, and explores the context of its imaginary places. The UK map includes Hogwarts in Scotland, Downton Abbey which was filmed in North Yorkshire, and Dad’s Army’s location of Walmington-on-Sea in Kent.
An Answer For Everything
Rob Orchard,
Christian Tate and Marcus Webb
Bloomsbury, £16.99
Are athletes getting better? What makes a Disney film a hit? Who’s got all the money? Find the answers to these questions and 197 more in a chunky, colourful book packed with fascinating facts and figures in infographic form.