Books To Put On Your Wishlist

Who doesn’t love getting books for Christmas? They’re the perfect gift, and easy to wrap too! If you’re still having trouble deciding what to get your friends and family, here are some recommendations from us. . .

A Laddie Cawed Christmas
By Matt Haig, translated by Matthew Fitt

Published by Itchy Coo

Now in Scots for the first time, A Laddie Cawed Christmas is Matt Haig’s wonderful tale of adventure, snow, kidnapping, elves, more snow and a boy called Nikolas, who isn’t afraid to believe in magic.

Ye’re aboot tae read the richt story o FAITHER CHRISTMAS . . .

Lifted Over the Turnstiles: Scottish Football Grounds And Crowds In The Black & White Era, Volumes 1 – 3
By Steve Finan

Published by DC Thomson

Delve into vintage photos of Scottish football stadiums and crowds that have lain unseen, in archives and rarely accessed collections, for decades. Each volume also contains anecdotes and quirks gathered from fans, club historians and newspaper articles of decades past. Perfect for the football fanatic in your life!

30 Days of Creativity: Draw, Colour and Discover Your Creative Self
By Johanna Basford

Published by Ebury

In just thirty days, you can develop a creative habit that allows a little more calm and joy into your life. These easy-to-follow daily practices will help unleash your creative spark and build the foundation of your artistic practice.

With a mix of whimsical doodles, pages of expert advice, and simple step-by-step drawing guides, this book is designed to nurture every inner artist.

Bad Girl Bakery
By Jeni Ianetta

Published by Kitchen Press

Unapologetically generous and indulgent, Jeni Iannetta’s cakes, bakes and biscuits have won plaudits ever since the Highland bakery opened in 2017. A fantastic book for every keen baker with an eye on spoiling everyone around them in the festive break!

Dog Days
By Andrew Cotter

Published by Black and White

Olive and Mabel are back! And in this new diary from Andrew Cotter we find out what happened after his two superstar Labradors chewed up the lockdown internet and found international fame. Followed by whispers of ‘Is that really Olive and Mabel?’ the three of them pad around literary festivals, breakfast TV, live radio and even an appearance on Good Morning America. But has fame changed our favourite Labradors?

Chasing the Deer: The Red Deer Through the Seasons
By Neil McIntyre

Published by Sandstone Press

Born into a family of deer stalkers, Neil McIntyre has been fascinated by red deer all his life. They have been central to his career as a wildlife photographer and, in this stunning collection of photographs, he invites you to know and respect them as he does.

Byobu
By Ida Vitale

Published by Charco Press

Ida Vitale is a poet, translator, essayist, and literary critic. In 2018, she was just the fifth woman to receive the prestigious Miguel de Cervantes Prize, the highest recognition for literature in Spanish, and in 2019, she was named by the BBC as one of the 100 most influential women. Charco Press bring us her latest work into English, an intimate work filled with poetry and knowledge, densely interwoven without pretension, born of a single force: curiosity.

50 Words for Snow
By Nancy Campbell

Published by Elliott and Thompson

A truly gorgeous gathering from writer and Artic traveller Nancy Campell, where 50 linguistic gems for these feather-like flakes we know as snow meet myth and story and bring new meaning to old magic. It is a journey to discover snow in all cultures through different languages.

Hard Roads and Cauld Hairst Winds: Li Bai an Du Fu in Scots
By Brian Holton

Published by Taproot Press

In these astonishing poems, Brian Holton transposes the work of two of Ancient China’s most renowned poets, Li Bai and Du Fu, into the world of contemporary Scotland through a literary Scots full of joy and vitality. The poems are complemented by beautiful calligraphy by artist Chi Zhang.

A Fool’s Pilgrimage
By David Frazer Wray

Published by Sparsile Books

A comic novel told in the distinctive voice of the bibulous old Sir John Falstaff, A Fool’s Pilgrimage is a daybook written in the early years of the fifteenth century. Peopled with strange and wonderful characters, such as Denys the Mad Holy Man, Guillermo the Gypsy Prince, and Jean-Baptiste of the Bone-Handled Knife, we are whisked through medieval France in a series of hilarious escapades.

How Scotland Dressed the World
By Lynne Colman

Published by Luath Press

From Grace Kelly in her Pringle of Scotland twinset to Cher and Dionne tartan-twinning in Clueless, it all returns to Alba.

In How Scotland Dressed the World, Lynne Coleman explores the country’s rich cultural impact on the modern world. Telling the tales of the style and cloth that covers continents and how it has been woven into political and economic movements, this book is a must-have whatever your style tribe.

The Golden Age of Christmas Movies
By Thomas A. Christie

Published by Extremis

Today, the Christmas movie is one of the best-loved genres in modern cinema. This book takes a look back at the Christmas movies of the 1940s and 1950s that would define Christmas films for decades to come, including It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34^th Street and White Christmas.

A Righteously Awesome Eighties Christmas
By Thomas A. Christie

Published by Extremis

But if you prefer more modern Christmas films, then this look back at the festive films of the 1980s should find its way into your stocking, as it celebrates the decade where the genre was mashed up with comedy, drama, fantasy and horror where nostalgia and modernity collide.

The Story of Santa Claus
By Davide Vezzoli, translated by Charlotte J. March

Published by Black Wolf Edition

An ideal gift for Christmas lovers from aged 8 to 80, this wonderfully illustrated book tells the story of Santa Claus as he and his elves get ready for their worldwide trip down everyone’s chimneys!

The Girl Who Stole the Stars
By Corrinna Campbell

Published by Little Door Books

This special seasonal tale is sure to be a festive favorite. Bringing themes of friendship, love, happiness, and doing the right thing alive through beautiful illustrations that touch the heart of every reader, Corrina Campbell shows she is just as much the shining star as all those that sparkle and gleam in her glowing debut.

I Wanna Be Like Me
By Kenny Taylor

Published by Sparsile Books

But if your children prefer cheeky monkeys, then this super fun, silly story about a bored little monkey who is having a identity crisis is a perfect present. As the monkey’s ever-patient mother listens to her fantasies, in the end, she makes her see – and celebrate – who she really is.

The Kilted Coaches: How to Stick to the Damn Plan
By Stephen Clarke and Rab Shields

Published by Luath Press

Then, for us all who have over indulged, The Kilted Coaches are here for us, channeling their years of experience as life coaches and weight loss experts into bite-sized nuggets of advice designed to build fitness, confidence and positivity that will promote health and happiness.