It’s time. For the sixth 12 months working I carry you my final, straightforward, budget-adaptable Christmas present. The one which feels considerate and private but takes seconds to purchase and is straightforward to wrap and low-cost to submit. Sure, expensive readers, it’s the most well-liked submit of the season: my Christmas Books ‘n Candies!
Do you wish to seem like essentially the most fashionable and regarded gift-giver, one that actually has their life collectively, but expend just about no vitality? Then that is the submit for you. A rigorously curated collection of the best books, matched artistically and with nice aptitude to the daintiest, prettiest bars of chocolate. Or essentially the most cool and graphic slabs. All wrapped up in plain brown paper, tied with striped string, the ultimate package deal by no means fails to please.
The purpose of this book-and-choc pairing is that the recipient feels as if they’re being given one thing a bit bit luxurious. So we’re speaking excessive finish books and fine quality goodies however that’s not all: each the e-book cowl and the chocolate wrapping have to be aesthetically pleasing and in addition matched collectively in a manner that makes folks suppose, “wow, this individual has model”. These persons are to not know that you just ordered all the pieces on the web, sporting fleece polar bear pyjamas and a flammable dressing robe.
Earlier than I current you with this 12 months’s spectacular book-and-choc pairings, I ought to say that there’s a complete again catalogue of those annual posts. And so for those who’d like to have 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 Candies 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 could possibly be a type of Marmite kind of books, as a result of it’s so far-fetched and unhinged, however for those who 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 huge midlife points head-on and fully unapologetically. Not one to present to Auntie Maud whereas she’s having her hip substitute, maybe, or anybody you don’t know moderately effectively, as a result of it’s fairly…intimate…in locations, however this could possibly be probably the greatest reads to present a girlfriend that you just’ll discover this 12 months. 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 for those who’re breaking right into a bar of the outdated Ocelot Sea Salt on the identical time. Be nonetheless my chocolate-loving coronary heart.
(Ocelot’s very graphic packaging is ideal for my books and chocs pairings. You virtually can’t go improper, they appear good with all the pieces!)
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, in brief I known as it “scrumptious” and mentioned this about it:
“I love anybody who can take lives which are similar to anybody else’s lives – seemingly pedestrian, with nothing that surprising or shocking occurring – and make the shortage of something significantly notable into the factor that’s fascinating. Not simply fascinating: treasured. Each little life and each a part of that life made so treasured, so value dissecting and giving thought to… it actually makes you cease and admire how densely-packed every of us is with all of our recollections and feelings and hyperlinks to different folks.”
What a gorgeously slow-paced, delectable little treasure-chest of a e-book. Exhausting suggest.
Buy James by Percival Everett*
Oooph. I hate the phrase “laborious suggest” however I’m making an attempt to be extra down with the children and so I’ll use it once more: Percival Everett’s James is totally excellent. When you learn The Bushes and had been blown away by that then undertake the brace place since you’re about to begin one other masterpiece that you just received’t have the ability to put down.
By no means have I wished a personality to outlive so badly – and never simply survive, I used to be keen Jim (an escaped slave who is about on shopping for his spouse and little one’s freedom) to rewrite historical past. Highly effective, past unhappy and with the capability to make you are feeling determined, nauseating ranges of rage.
By the best way, chances are you’ll discover (for those who’ve seen earlier books-n-chocs posts) that I’ve slipped a brand new chocolate bar in right here. I wished 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 if you refill…
My different bargainous model of alternative, as you already know, is Tony’s Chocolonely. I like the massive, daring graphics on these chunky slabs of choc. A great deal of colors, nice worth, I can’t think about a time once they received’t be included.
Intermezzo, one other positive learn for a slow-burn, wintery type 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 wish to rent a battered mini and relive your youth. Kind of.
The one e-book within the e-book pile that I’ve began however received’t end earlier than this submit goes stay. Disgrace on me! I used to be doing so effectively. Brotherless Night time by V.V. Ganeshananthan received this 12 months’s Ladies’s Prize for Fiction which is the way it caught my eye, it’s superbly written to date and with good consideration to historic element. I’ve a sense I’m in for a really emotional experience…
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 12 months and I’m so happy that it has. It’s wonderful. Completely mysterious but in addition bleak and barren. I don’t wish to say an excessive amount of about it, however it’s a improbable decide. Correct dialog starter!
It doesn’t must at all times be about fiction in terms of the Books ‘n Chocs present. I do reasonably 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 for those who break up the pack down.
I couldn’t resist including on this Cherry Bomb chocolate bar, although – I just lately found the web store Delli for area of interest and fascinating 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 take pleasure in this second: my very personal e-book featured in my very personal “books n chocs” submit. What an absolute thrill! I ask you in your consideration solely briefly, as a result of I’m coming again at you with an entire submit about How To not be a Supermodel subsequent week, when the hardback turns into broadly obtainable within the States, which is a HUGE factor to be taking place.
I even have some different chocolate pairings and a load to say about how a lot you’ll take pleasure in studying this e-book for those who haven’t finished so already. It might be my “decide of the 12 months” if that was allowable, which clearly it isn’t as a result of I’d seem like a proper outdated berk if I selected my very own e-book, however you get the gist. I like it and I feel that you’ll like it. It has been making folks chuckle out loud at very inappropriate occasions and that’s the absolute best overview I might want for.
You probably have learn the e-book then you definitely’ll admire the selection of chocolate model…
I hope you’ve loved this 12 months’s providing – keep in mind to take a look at the hyperlink beneath for earlier editions and hundreds extra concepts!
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