lou's library

As shocking as it is, 2024 is almost over Christmas is approaching fast. In my opinion, books are the best present, but it can be hard to know which books to get an avid reader. Chances are they already own it. So here’s a list of books that I enjoyed but believe don’t get the hype they deserve. Hopefully there’ll be something for the reader on your Christmas present list (or any other occasion)!!

Arcadia by Iain Pears

This one baffles me. I’ve never seen anyone read this book or discuss it, either in real life or online. And I probably wouldn’t have been introduced to it either, if I hadn’t taken a seminar in uni that dedicated an entire semester to the analysis of it. That’s right, this book is juicy, complex and compelling enough to talk about it for months!! I had so much fun diving into this book and part of the reason is that it’s such an unusual read (and very difficult to describe, but I’ll do my best). We follow a vast array of characters, set in different time periods and places. Slowly, as the stories progress, they begin to intertwine. The best thing is that you can read this book in different ways. You can either read it conventionally from cover to cover, or you can read different tales one after the other (there’s an app to help you figure out what tales to read at what time). This means that you’ll get a different reading experience depending on how you read the book. It’s enthrilling and enchanting, there are fantasy elements to this, it’s cosy but also adventurous and daring and I really want to see this book blow up on BookTok!

Mr Salary by Sally Rooney

Chances are the book lover in your life has devoured Normal People and ran to the book store when Intermezzo was published in September (I know I did). But do they also know (or own) Mr Salary, Sally Rooney’s short story? It was published by Faber as a gorgeous little book and makes for the perfect present, as it’s quite expensive for what it is but also a must have for any Sally Rooney stan. I was recently gifted this by my bestie and now treasure it immensely. Also, it’s a budget option compared to bigger, hardback books!

After You’d Gone by Maggie O’Farrell

I know, I know. I mention After You’d Gone in just about any of my blog posts. But there’s a reason for it: IT IS BLOODY GREAT. And compared to the success of Hamnet by the author, it’s still little known. It’s a classic love story, but one that will leave you CHANGED FOREVER, OKAY? I’m still not over this book and never will be. It beats Hamnet by a mile, in my opinion. And don’t get me wrong, I ADORE Hamnet. But After You’d Gone is something else and I think there’s something very cool about diving into an author’s back catalogue. Particularly if it’s so full of treasures!!

Shakespeare For Every Night Of The Year by Colin Salter

If you’ve got someone in your life who loves Shakespeare, this is a great book to gift them! As the title suggests, it features an excerpt from one of Shakespeare’s plays or sonnets for every single night of the year. I got given this for my birthday and have had the best time reading the entry every night. It’s such a great way to get to know Shakespeare’s works better and even if the Shakespeare person in your life already knows his entire work, I bet they will still love being able to incorporate a little bit of Shakespeare into their night time routine. Also, the book is STUNNING and feels so well-made.

Fair Rosaline by Natasha Solomons

In a similar vein, Fair Rosaline is a great book for anyone who can’t get enough of Shakespeare but has read all his work. You know how in recent years mythological retellings have blown up on BookTok and BookTube (looking at you, Son of Achilles)? Well, I’m waiting for the Shakespeare retelling hype because believe me, I’m ready for it! Fair Rosaline is a Romeo and Juliet retelling, my favourite Shakespearean tragedy (what does that say about me?). It’s written from Rosaline’s perspective and if you’re wondering who that is, that’s not unusual because Rosaline is dumped by Romeo (the bloody fool) at the start of the play and then entirely forgotten. Natasha Solomons took the character of Rosaline, took some artistic liberties and gave the girl agency and boy oh boy, did that lead to an incredible read! I could not put this down, am still obsessed with it and want more!! But I can’t see anyone else hyping this book, which makes me think it didn’t get the love it deserves (a bit like Rosaline, now that I think about it). So go out and get it for the Shakespeare lover on your Christmas present list, or anyone who is into retellings. You don’t need to know the plot of Romeo and Juliet to be able to read this, but then again, who doesn’t know the plot of Romeo and Juliet, anyway?

I hope you found these ideas helpful for your Christmas shopping. And if you’re the reader in your friendship group or family, go and treat yourself to some of these books!!