The books I’ll be giving this year… featuring Chrissie Manby

The Christmas time is nearly upon us, and which books will Chrissie Manby, Lucy Dillon and Lili Hayward be giving their loved ones?

Chrissie Manby, author of A Fairy Tale for Christmas

The latest titles from Fiona Walker, Lucy Dillon and Juliet Ashton are always on my list. Also, Matt Whyman’s Bad Apple. Perfect for teens.

Lucy Dillon, author of All I Ever Wanted

To my niece, who’s just entering the wonderful world of chicklit, A Fairy Tale for Christmas, by Chrissie Manby; to my nephew the emerging bookworm, The Snow Spider by Jenny Nimmo, and to my boyfriend, the Smiths fan, Johnny Marr’s autobiography, Set The Boy Free. I’m giving my book group the gripping, page-turning gift of Lie With Me by Sabine Durrant, as that’s my choice for December’s book, so if their Christmas dinner ends up being served on Boxing Day due to unforeseen reading delays, it’s my fault and I’m proud of it.

Lili Hayward, author of The Cat at Yule Cottage

Too many! I just bought The Good Immigrant but since I’m already reading it, it looks like that one’s for me… Hmm. The Public Domain Review book of essays will probably get an outing, (for the person who has everything) as will Swing Time by Zadie Smith, the illustrated version of The Lie Tree (Frances Hardinge and Chris Riddell), Lagoon by Nnedi Okorafor (for the person who loves SF) and some sort of crime series for grandma. (Recommendations welcome; she’s read everything). Maybe Tidings by Ruth Padel for festive cheer and Doris Lessing’s On Cats, for those of a feline persuasion!

Catch up on more festive fun…

Annabelle Thorpe and Sheila O’Flanagan share their favourite Christmas traditions 

Sarah Knight gives a lesson in how not to give a f**k this Christmas 

Louise O’Neill, Tracy Rees and Louise Lee discuss what books they’ll be giving this year