Men are notoriously difficult creatures to buy for. Choices are often limited to socks and suchlike, but with a wealth of books lining the shelves of bookstores, why not treat your dad, bro or better half to some literary inspiration this Christmas? From timeless classics to books about bacon and more, here are the best bookish picks for the man in your life.
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
A classic tale of wanderlust and travel, The Alchemist is a tome treasured by many legions of readers across the globe. A fable about following your dream, The Alchemist tells the tale of Santiago, a young shepherd living in the hills of Andalucia, who feels that there is more to life than his humble home and his flock and one day he finds the courage to follow his dreams into distant lands. A surefire people pleaser for men of all ages.
The Bacon Book – Christopher Sjuve
For the bacon-loving boys among us comes Christopher Sjuve’s The Bacon Book; the perfect gift for the bacon lover in your life and packed with creative ways to pig out. The ultimate celebration of this brilliant ingredient, The Bacon Book is packed with mouth-watering recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner and will satiate the appetite of the most ardent bacon fans.
Cited by many as a modern masterpiece,The Godfather is a searing portrayal of the 1940s criminal underworld, and the book is more effecting than the film ever was. An intimate story of the Corleone family, at once drawn together and ripped apart by its unique position at the core of the American Mafia. Still shocking forty years after it was first published, this compelling tale of blackmail, murder and family values is a true classic and will turn the most unlikely of men into an avid reader this Christmas.
The Grand Tour Guide to the World – Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May
If you know a car fanatic or simply someone with a Top Gear fascination, The Grand Tour: Guide to the World is sure to go down a treat. In this indispensable book is an abundance of information, most of which is probably wrong and more than possibly dangerous. As well as occasionally accurate guides to the places visited on the show, the book features exclusive interviews with the presenters and details on their favourite locations for car-based cocking about
Very British Problems – Rob Temple
The perfect Christmas present for the most miserly of men, Very British Problems by Rob Temple is a hilarious account of the oddball behaviours and cultural quirks that make life awkward for people of this fair isle, one rainy day at a time. The ultimate gift for a self-depreciating Brit.
The Diary of a Bookseller – Shaun Bythell
A wry and witty account of the life of a bookseller from the owner of Wigtown’s The Book Shop, Shaun Bythell’s The Diary of a Bookseller is perfect for the man in your life who doesn’t suffer fools gladly and has a bias for books.
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