It’s time. For the sixth yr operating I carry you my final, simple, budget-adaptable Christmas present. The one which feels considerate and private but takes seconds to purchase and is simple to wrap and low-cost to put up. Sure, pricey readers, it’s the preferred put up of the season: my Christmas Books ‘n Goodies!
Do you need to appear to be probably the most fashionable and regarded gift-giver, one that basically has their life collectively, but expend nearly no vitality? Then that is the put up for you. A rigorously curated choice of the best books, matched artistically and with nice aptitude to the daintiest, prettiest bars of chocolate. Or probably the most cool and graphic slabs. All wrapped up in plain brown paper, tied with striped string, the ultimate bundle by no means fails to thrill.
The purpose of this book-and-choc pairing is that the recipient feels as if they’re being given one thing a little bit bit luxurious. So we’re speaking excessive finish books and high quality candies however that’s not all: each the e-book cowl and the chocolate wrapping should be aesthetically pleasing and in addition matched collectively in a approach that makes individuals assume, “wow, this individual has model”. These individuals are to not know that you simply ordered every part on the web, carrying fleece polar bear pyjamas and a flammable dressing robe.
Earlier than I current you with this yr’s spectacular book-and-choc pairings, I ought to say that there’s a complete again catalogue of those annual posts. And so should you’d like to take a look at dozens and dozens extra examples then click on the hyperlinks on the backside of this web page.
Proper, with out additional ado: the Final 2024 Books and Goodies Spherical-Up!
[AD-info: this post contains affiliate links, marked *.]
Buy Charbonnel & Walker Sea Salt Truffles*
I’m going to speak extra about All Fours by Miranda July subsequent week. The story is completely mad. I get the sensation it might be a type of Marmite form of books, as a result of it’s so far-fetched and unhinged, however should you submit (ooh err) and permit your self to have a superb sense of humour about all of it then it’s an absolute riot. I discovered myself laughing simply out of pure glee at how batshit loopy it was, in locations. And, on a extra severe observe, it tackles some large midlife points head-on and fully unapologetically. Not one to provide to Auntie Maud whereas she’s having her hip alternative, maybe, or anybody you don’t know fairly nicely, as a result of it’s fairly…intimate…in locations, however this might be among the best reads to present a girlfriend that you simply’ll discover this yr. Or the worst. No matter, it’ll be a dialog starter…
Buy Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors*
4 sisters’ tales, one e-book. However there’s a tragic absence all through that binds the separate tales collectively. Poignant and touching however not too hair-clawingly depressing, it’s a superb winter vacation learn. Particularly should you’re breaking right into a bar of the outdated Ocelot Sea Salt on the similar time. Be nonetheless my chocolate-loving coronary heart.
(Ocelot’s very graphic packaging is ideal for my books and chocs pairings. You nearly can’t go mistaken, they give the impression of being good with every part!)
Buy Long Island by Colm Toibin*
I wrote about Colm Toibin’s Lengthy Island here, however to save lots of you having to open a brand new window, briefly I known as it “scrumptious” and stated this about it:
“I love anybody who can take lives which can be similar to anybody else’s lives – seemingly pedestrian, with nothing that surprising or shocking happening – and make the shortage of something notably notable into the factor that’s attention-grabbing. Not simply attention-grabbing: treasured. Each little life and each a part of that life made so treasured, so price dissecting and giving thought to… it actually makes you cease and respect how densely-packed every of us is with all of our recollections and feelings and hyperlinks to different individuals.”
What a gorgeously slow-paced, delectable little treasure-chest of a e-book. Arduous suggest.
Buy James by Percival Everett*
Oooph. I hate the phrase “arduous suggest” however I’m attempting to be extra down with the youngsters and so I’ll use it once more: Percival Everett’s James is totally excellent. When you learn The Bushes and have been blown away by that then undertake the brace place since you’re about to start out one other masterpiece that you simply gained’t have the ability to put down.
By no means have I needed a personality to outlive so badly – and never simply survive, I used to be keen Jim (an escaped slave who is ready on shopping for his spouse and baby’s freedom) to rewrite historical past. Highly effective, past unhappy and with the capability to make you’re feeling determined, nauseating ranges of rage.
By the best way, it’s possible you’ll discover (should you’ve seen earlier books-n-chocs posts) that I’ve slipped a brand new chocolate bar in right here. I needed to discover a easy, graphic bar that didn’t value an absolute fortune and by God I’ve finished it. Waitrose No1 vary – a great deal of completely different variations. Approx two quid, relying on once you fill up…
My different bargainous model of alternative, as you recognize, is Tony’s Chocolonely. I like the large, daring graphics on these chunky slabs of choc. A great deal of colors, nice worth, I can’t think about a time after they gained’t be included.
Intermezzo, one other tremendous learn for a slow-burn, wintery form of week. My first Sally Rooney e-book and I’ll most positively be going again for extra – I like these detailed examinations of individuals’s character and internal turbulence.
Buy Pana Organic Peanut Caramel
Teen angst and darkish goings-on, Rabbits by Hugo Rifkind makes you need to rent a battered mini and relive your youth. Type of.
The one e-book within the e-book pile that I’ve began however gained’t end earlier than this put up goes stay. Disgrace on me! I used to be doing so nicely. Brotherless Evening by V.V. Ganeshananthan gained this yr’s Girls’s Prize for Fiction which is the way it caught my eye, it’s superbly written thus far and with good consideration to historic element. I’ve a sense I’m in for a really emotional journey…
Buy I Who Have Never Known Men*
What a e-book! I Who Have By no means Recognized Males by Jacqueline Harpman isn’t a brand new launch however has had one thing of a resurgence this yr and I’m so happy that it has. It’s glorious. Completely mysterious but in addition bleak and barren. I don’t need to say an excessive amount of about it, however it’s a improbable choose. Correct dialog starter!
It doesn’t should all the time be about fiction in terms of the Books ‘n Chocs present. I do fairly like sending out cookbooks, too, particularly if I can pair them with a related spice or condiment or accent. Fairly partial – and stick with me right here – to pairing a cookbook with a pleasant tea towel. It packs flat, nonetheless, is light-weight and simply feels acceptable and enjoyable. I like M&S cotton ones which are available in a pack of 4 (£8 here*) and add a grand whole of two kilos to the present worth should you cut up the pack down.
I couldn’t resist including on this Cherry Bomb chocolate bar, although – I just lately found the net store Delli for area of interest and attention-grabbing storecupboard buys and condiments and so forth. Went to city a bit on the outdated confectionery..
Buy How Not to be a Supermodel here*
Buy Fatso Sweet Tart chocolate here
Indulge me, momentarily, if you’ll. As a result of I’ve waited many, a few years to get pleasure from this second: my very personal e-book featured in my very personal “books n chocs” put up. What an absolute thrill! I ask you on your consideration solely briefly, as a result of I’m coming again at you with an entire put up about How To not be a Supermodel subsequent week, when the hardback turns into extensively obtainable within the States, which is a HUGE factor to be taking place.
I even have some various chocolate pairings and a load to say about how a lot you’ll get pleasure from studying this e-book should you haven’t finished so already. It will be my “choose of the yr” if that was allowable, which clearly it isn’t as a result of I’d appear to be a proper outdated berk if I selected my very own e-book, however you get the gist. I find it irresistible and I feel that you’ll find it irresistible. It has been making individuals giggle out loud at very inappropriate occasions and that’s the very best evaluate I may want for.
If in case you have learn the e-book then you definately’ll respect the selection of chocolate model…
I hope you’ve loved this yr’s providing – bear in mind to take a look at the hyperlink under for earlier editions and hundreds extra concepts!
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