Forget socks, vouchers, or chocolate oranges—when chosen wisely, a book can be the perfect Christmas present. As the festive season approaches, writers from The Independent reveal the literary gifts they love to give.
Jessie Thompson, arts editor, recommends Elizabeth Jane Howard's The Cazalet Chronicles, a five-volume family saga epitomising comfort reading. Her tip: give the first instalment, The Light Years, and if the recipient loves it, buy them the set—then they can pass the first book on to someone else.
Victoria Richards, Voices editor, has given Deborah Levy's The Cost of Living to many female friends. She calls it 'absolutely vital' for anyone pondering womanhood, divorce, or motherhood, describing it as a blend of pleasure and grief that is 'mostly about living'.
Geordie Greig, editor-in-chief, suggests Fred Uhlman's Reunion, a slim novella set in 1938 Germany about a Jewish schoolboy's friendship. He warns against reading the foreword or guessing the ending, calling it a 'perfect stocking filler'.
Olivia Petter, features writer, recommends Nora Ephron's Heartburn, a hilarious novel based on Ephron's divorce from Carl Bernstein. She says it offers a 'literary upgrade to Love Actually' this Christmas.
