With the festive season fully in swing, there’s no better gift than a book. It doesn’t cost the earth and it means the world – nothing says you have thought deeply about that special someone than a well-considered and beautiful book. So, in place of a Monthly Read for December, I’m sharing the books I’ll be putting under the tree this year. Hopefully you’ll find something for you from this list, too...
1. Brightly Shining by Ingvild Rishøi, translated by Caroline Waight – This small but mighty Norwegian Christmas story is like a modern retelling of Hans Christan Andersen’s The Little Match Girl (spoiler: expect tears). The perfect stocking filler.
2. James by Percival Everett – By taking the simple concept of retelling The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of the enslaved Jim, Everett subverts and reclaims the original story. It’s so skillfully done.
3. Tenth Of December by George Saunders – No Christmas list is complete without a George Saunders book. I love his short story collections, and Tenth Of December is perhaps my favourite. The Semplica Girl Diaries is an absolute standout.
4. In The Distance by Hernan Diaz – I’m currently reading this strange and evocative western by Diaz. There’s a lot I want to discuss, so friends of mine can expect to find it under their tree this Christmas.
5. The Last Dream by Pedro Almodóvar, translated by Frank Wynne – I’m an Almodóvar evangelist in whatever form he comes to me – films, interviews, and now short stories. I’m so excited to read this, I want everyone to read along.
Dua x
