My Final Straightforward Christmas Reward: 2024

It’s time. For the sixth yr working I deliver you my final, straightforward, budget-adaptable Christmas present. The one which feels considerate and private but takes seconds to purchase and is simple to wrap and low-cost to publish. Sure, expensive readers, it’s the preferred publish of the season: my Christmas Books ‘n Goodies!

Do you need to appear like probably the most trendy and regarded gift-giver, one that actually has their life collectively, but expend just about no power? Then that is the publish for you. A fastidiously curated collection of the best books, matched artistically and with nice aptitude to the daintiest, prettiest bars of chocolate. Or probably the most cool and graphic slabs. All wrapped up in plain brown paper, tied with striped string, the ultimate bundle by no means fails to thrill.

The purpose of this book-and-choc pairing is that the recipient feels as if they’re being given one thing a bit of bit luxurious. So we’re speaking excessive finish books and fine quality sweets however that’s not all: each the e-book cowl and the chocolate wrapping should be aesthetically pleasing and likewise matched collectively in a approach that makes folks assume, “wow, this individual has type”. These persons are to not know that you just ordered all the things on the web, carrying fleece polar bear pyjamas and a flammable dressing robe.

Earlier than I current you with this yr’s spectacular book-and-choc pairings, I ought to say that there’s a whole 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 Goodies Spherical-Up!

[AD-info: this post contains affiliate links, marked *.]

Buy All Fours here*

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 may very well be a type of Marmite type 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 very good 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 critical be aware, it tackles some huge midlife points head-on and utterly unapologetically. Not one to provide to Auntie Maud whereas she’s having her hip alternative, maybe, or anybody you don’t know moderately nicely, as a result of it’s fairly…intimate…in locations, however this may very well be among the best reads to present a girlfriend that you just’ll discover this yr. Or the worst. No matter, it’ll be a dialog starter…

Buy Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors*

Buy Ocelot Sea Salt Chocolate

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 very good winter vacation learn. Particularly for those who’re breaking right into a bar of the outdated Ocelot Sea Salt on the similar time. Be nonetheless my chocolate-loving coronary heart.

(Ocelot’s very graphic packaging is ideal for my books and chocs pairings. You nearly can’t go unsuitable, they give the impression of being good with all the things!)

Buy Long Island by Colm Toibin*

Buy Ocelot Sea Salt Chocolate

I wrote about Colm Toibin’s Lengthy Island here, however to save lots of you having to open a brand new window, briefly I referred to as it “scrumptious” and stated this about it:

“I like anybody who can take lives which are identical to anybody else’s lives – seemingly pedestrian, with nothing that stunning or stunning occurring – and make the dearth of something notably 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. Onerous advocate.

Buy James by Percival Everett*

Buy Waitrose No1 Chocolate

Oooph. I hate the phrase “laborious advocate” however I’m attempting to be extra down with the youngsters and so I’ll use it once more: Percival Everett’s James is totally excellent. In case you learn The Timber and have been blown away by that then undertake the brace place since you’re about to start out one other masterpiece that you just gained’t be capable of 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 youngster’s freedom) to rewrite historical past. Highly effective, past unhappy and with the capability to make you’re feeling determined, nauseating ranges of rage.

By the way in which, you could 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 price an absolute fortune and by God I’ve performed it. Waitrose No1 vary – a great deal of completely different variations. Approx two quid, relying on once you fill up…

Buy Tony’s Chocolonely*

My different bargainous model of alternative, as you recognize, is Tony’s Chocolonely. I really 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 gained’t be included.

Buy Intermezzo here*

Buy Ocelot Violet Milk here

Intermezzo, one other wonderful learn for a slow-burn, wintery sort of week. My first Sally Rooney e-book and I’ll most undoubtedly be going again for extra – I really like these detailed examinations of individuals’s character and inside turbulence.

Buy Rabbits by Hugo Rifkind*

Buy Pana Organic Peanut Caramel

Teen angst and darkish goings-on, Rabbits by Hugo Rifkind makes you need to rent a battered mini and relive your youth. Form of.

Buy Brotherless Night here*

The one e-book within the e-book pile that I’ve began however gained’t end earlier than this publish goes stay. Disgrace on me! I used to be doing so nicely. Brotherless Evening by V.V. Ganeshananthan gained this yr’s Girls’s Prize for Fiction which is the way it caught my eye, it’s superbly written thus far and with sensible consideration to historic element. I’ve a sense I’m in for a really emotional journey…

Buy I Who Have Never Known Men*

Buy Charbonnel Truffles*

What a e-book! I Who Have By no means Identified Males by Jacqueline Harpman isn’t a brand new launch however has had one thing of a resurgence this yr and I’m so happy that it has. It’s wonderful. Completely mysterious but in addition bleak and barren. I don’t need to say an excessive amount of about it, however it’s a unbelievable decide. Correct dialog starter!

Buy Tacos here*

Buy Cherry Bomb chocolate

It doesn’t should at all times be about fiction in terms of the Books ‘n Chocs present. I do quite 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 applicable and enjoyable. I like M&S cotton ones which are available 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 not too long ago found the net 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” publish. 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 publish about How To not be a Supermodel subsequent week, when the hardback turns into broadly accessible 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 performed so already. It could be my “decide of the yr” if that was allowable, which clearly it isn’t as a result of I’d appear like a proper outdated berk if I selected my very own e-book, however you get the gist. I adore it and I believe that you’ll adore it. It has been making folks snort out loud at very inappropriate occasions and that’s the very best overview I might want for.

When you have learn the e-book you then’ll admire the selection of chocolate model…

I hope you’ve loved this yr’s providing – bear in mind to take a look at the hyperlink beneath for earlier editions and hundreds extra concepts!

My Ultimate Easy Christmas Gift: 2019-2023 Editions