The Best Books To Buy For Gifts This Christmas –Classics To Controversial and Fiction To Facts
Posted: Tuesday, December 08, 2009
by Connor Davidson
My Books and Articles (under construction)
I've complied a list of books that I think would make great gifts for readers this Christmas. I've organised them by category and chosen only five books for each. I have found it very difficult to write this since my self-imposed limit of five has made it incredibly restrictive. However, I like to think of the restrictions as an insurance policy that only the best get into the list. All of the books listed below I have read and, again, this puts limitations on the list. The problem is since I've not read all the books ever written I can't say for sure which the best are for certain. But anyway...
Classics Humour Controversial History Other
1. Burmese Days, George Orwell – one of my all time favourite books. A tale of corruption, imperialism and love set in Burma.
2. The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald – a story about the excesses of 1920's America. Fabulously well written but beware take your time or you will get lost.
3. The Lord of the Rings Series, J.R.R Tolkien – a fantasy story with heaps of deeper meaning.
4. Animal Farm, George Orwell – a fabulous sum up of Communism and the problems it causes. Perfect for an adult as an in-depth book or for a child as a story.
5. The Count of Monte Cristo, Alexander Dumas (thank goodness there is not another "s") – set in Marseille, 1851 Dumas tells the story of Edmond Dantes and how he gets his revenge.
1. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Douglas Adams – the first of famous trilogy of six books. Wonder what happens when a human gets kicked out into space with his alien friend? Look no further. Oh and 42.
2. How to Make a Tornado, New Scientist – just released humour book (in a science context) that laughs in the face of silly science and scientists
3. The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, Bobby Henderson – the book is written as serious fact but you just know it is not. Did you know that decreasing pirate numbers is what is causing global warning?
4. The World According to Clarkson, Jeremy Clarkson- witty, silly and, for the most part, totally irrelevant. Yet, the three combined work wonders.
5. The QI Annual – some of the most ridicules facts you have will ever read.
1. The Origin of Species, Charles Darwin – you could say that being at the top of the controversial list is the right place for it. I'd say that if you want to talk about how species came about (on either side of the debate) you need to read this first.
2. The Communist Manifesto, Karl Marx – a summary of the ideas of Marxism. It is very short (if you want more try Das Kapital) but to the point. Pity Marx never added a chapter about why it does not work.
3. Uncle Tom's Cabin, Harriet Beacher Stowe – the famous book that gave the abolitionist movement in the us a much needed kick.
4. Menin Kampf (My Struggle), Adolf Hitler – ever wondered why Hitler was crazy? Read this book to find out – it's utterly insane.
5. The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins – this book is idea for anyone you know who has scepticisms about a creator. It's fantastically well argued and, at times, hilariously funny.
1. Just Another Day, Adam Hart Davies – in this book Adam looks at his everyday life and explains the history (and the science) behind our every day lives.
2. Great British Journeys, Nicholas Crane – walk in the footsteps of some of Britain's most iconic explores, exploring their native Isles.
3. Gods Executioner: Oliver Cromwell and the Conquest of Ireland, Micheal O'Siochru (can't get the accents to work) – a fantastic account of the cruelty and brutality motivated by Cromwell's bizarre convictions.
4. Two Men in a Trench, Neil Oliver and Tony Pollard – spin off from the TV series by the same name. The book looks at the "in" and "outs" of battlefield archaeology.
5. A Confederate Memoir of the Civil War, Sam Watkins – part history part autobiography. This book transports the reader back to the American Civil War and vividly depicts life on the front.
Biographies and Autobiographies
2. Carrying the Fire, Michael Collins - every one knows Neil Armstrong and most know Buzz Aldrin but what about poor old Mike who stayed behind on the ship?
3. The Last Fighting Tommy, Harry Patch and Richard Van Emden – the last survivor (at the time of writing - Harry has subsequently died) of the Great War's story translated into a book.
4. The Blair Years, Alistair Campbell – this book is essentially a collection of diary entries (this guy is a diary fanatic) from Tony Blair's press officer - Alistair Campbell. Reading this book gives you great insight into being the prime minister.
5. Eric Clapton: the Autobiography, Eric Clapton – the unoriginality and unimaginative writing stops with the title. One of Britain's greatest rock guitarist and vocalist (that I actually like!) takes you on a journey thought the life of a real rocker.
1. Starship Troopers, Robert Heinlein – the Johnny Rico's idealistic enlistment in the infantry
2. Band of Brothers, Stephen Ambrose – simply: welcome to war.
3. Notes from a Small country, Bill Bryson – crazy old Bill travels around Britain with noting more than public transport.
4. New Europe, Michael Palin – an exotic tour of Eastern Europe. After reading this you may want to pop to Turkey for some Olive Oil wrestling. Wonderfully well written and a fascinating read. Besides, if that does not interest you see page 53.
5. Matt: the Best of 2009 (the Daily Telegraph), Matthew Pritchett – a collection from Britain's most witty, clever and hilarious cartoon strip.
Well there you have it. I hope that at least one of these books will appeal to you. But be sure not to tell your friends about the list as Christmas is the time to be secretive, sly and surreptitious.
interesting reading list. A lot of I have read so our tastes must be similar. I will certainly put a few on my list. thanksPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for the comment.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Some great books there!For Origin Of Species, I highly recommend the First Edition, or the audiobook version read by Richard Dawkins.Please log in to respond to this comment.Good idea. I'd love to own one of the original print run copies.Thanks for the comment.Please log in to respond to this comment.
BTW, great books!Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for the comment - again.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Connor, great article. The Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe is a favorite of mine. Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas belongs on the list somewhere, that is a great read, albeit short.Please log in to respond to this comment.I've not read the second book you mention. I've had a look at some reviews and it sounds interesting.Thanks for the comment.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Hi Connor. Thank you for providing an interesting groupings of books to give for the holidays. Very informative and well-written. Thanks. ~Nenita~Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for the comment.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Great list, Connor. Just Another Day sounds interesting. Animal Farm I didn't like at all. Have you read Lord of the Flies? Another one I didn't like much, but I think of it whenever I am reminded of Animal Farm.Please log in to respond to this comment.Yes - I thought it was very clever.Thanks for the comment.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Interesting article. Some I have read and enjoyed. You listed a couple more that might interest me. I'll have to check them out on Amazon.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for the comment.Please log in to respond to this comment.
For me Connor, this was one of your best articles. It gave me a glimpse of some books I never thought of reading and I especially liked some of your opinions, e.g., Hitler and Marx.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for the comment.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Nicely done!I have not read any of these books, I must say. Wait, I think I did start reading the Great Gatsby- no, never mind!Please log in to respond to this comment.Well hopefully I've given you some ideas.Thanks for the comment.Please log in to respond to this comment.
Okay so I know it's a bit late to be posting gift ideas but anyone with a uterus ought to read The Lost Daughter by Daralyse Lyons. It's the most touching novel I've ever read. I fell in love with the characters. Get it for yourself or give it as a gift. It's the best book I've ever read!!!Please log in to respond to this comment.Your in time for next year though.Thanks for the comment.Please log in to respond to this comment.
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