Give the gift of reading this Christmas

If you're looking for a last-minute stocking filler, look no further than your local bookshop and give the gift of reading this Christmas!

The feelings evoked, and memories created whilst reading a great book will stay with your loved one for a long time, possibly forever, and knowing you've put lots of thought and effort into choosing the perfect book for them means it'll be even more cherished.

To spread some festive cheer and to give you a helping hand, we've pulled up our stripey-socks, put on our elf ears and explored some of our favourite books.

For Children

Bad Dad - by David Walliams
David Walliam's children's stories are always so comical and Bad Dad is no exception. In his latest tale, a father and son embark on an exciting adventure to bring down the villainous Mr Big. Fast-paced and heart-warming, your child will likely race through the pages, chasing the ending as the characters chase the baddie.

The Ugly Five - by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler
From the individuals who brought us The Gruffalo, comes a story about five savannah animals: the wildebeest, warthog, vulture, hyena and marabou stork.
This book will introduce your little one to new and exotic animals, as well as wonderful pictures, fun rhymes and new vocabulary. And they'll also come away having learnt a valuable life lesson.

For Teenagers

La Belle Sauvage: The Book of Dust Volume One - by Philip Pullman
Voted Waterstones' Book of The Year 2017, if your teen loved Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, then this is the perfect gift to further foster their enjoyment of reading.

Set in the same mystical world, this book will ignite their imagination and they'll become lost in a new adventure. La Belle Sauvage is a story of survival, where two children find themselves pursued by a terrifying evil, whilst charged with the care of a tiny child, in whose fate lies the fate of the future.

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls - by Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo
This empowering book brings together the stories of 100 great role-models for women. Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo, having researched the lack of female role models in children's literature decided to write a book which tells a different story. Featuring the experiences of women past and present, it is an inspiring and engaging read for a modern audience.

For Adults

Blue Planet II - by James Honeyborne and Mark Brownlow
If your giftee simply couldn't miss an episode of David Attenborough's Blue Planet II this autumn, then treat them to this photo book, and they'll be able to experience that same sense of awe and wonder in our natural world again and again.

This volume also brings with it behind-the-scenes accounts from scientists and crew, drawn from five years of astonishing film-making.

The Couple Next Door - by Shari Lapena
A No.1 Sunday Times bestseller this year, The Couple Next Door is a crime thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat.

An evening at the neighbours' dinner party for new parents Anne and Marco turns into their worst nightmare when they return home to find their front door ajar, and their daughter missing from her cot. Who knows what's happened to their baby, someone does...!

So many wonderful books have been released this year and these are just some of our favourites. Whether you follow one of our recommendations or find a narrative of your own, why not introduce your loved one to their new favourite read this Christmas?