Top picks from Waterstones’ annual festive gathering of authors, readers and sellers
Waterstones Kingston’s annual Christmas event brought together authors and readers for an evening celebrating books for the festive season.
The event, on the last Friday in November, also offered a glimpse at the books readers are choosing as gifts this year.
Historian Tracy Borman, one of the authors at the event, said books stood out as presents because they carry extra meaning.
“It is an ideal Christmas gift because you have to put some extra thought into it and it is a very personal gift, which makes it special,” she said. Borman’s own recommendation was Miss Garnet’s Angel, a novel which she described as “a wonderful book”.
Humour writer Rob Temple, known for his Very British Problems series, said books remain popular because they are both simple and considerate.
“Everyone seems to like books during Christmas time, and they are easy to wrap and are affordable,” he said. “It’s a good gift to show you know what someone’s interests are.” Temple highlighted his latest title, My Very British Christmas, a light-hearted festive book as well as cookery books.
Waterstones Kingston expects the run-up to Christmas to be its busiest period.
Florence Parkin, a bookseller, said that the store becomes “triple times busier” in December, with sci-fi being particularly in demand. Another bookseller, Natalya Chapman, said cookery books are also becoming very popular, while sci-fi and fantasy remain strong choices for gifting.
Bookseller Alexandra Pulit pointed to Padella by Tim Siadatan, an Italian-inspired pasta cookbook that was named Waterstones Gift Book of the Year as a consistent bestseller. “It’s one of our top picks. I even bought it for my mum,” she said.
The Kingston Courier also asked some book lovers for their festive recommendations.
Rya Bah, 19, a student who enjoys romance novels, said she was drawn to self-help books on the night.
“During this time of the year, I love romance and really good psychological thrillers,” she said, recommending The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, a psychological thriller, as a Christmas read.
Another attendee, Mevani Jagodage, said A Very British Christmas immediately caught her eye. “I really enjoy Rob Temple’s humour,” she said. Murder mysteries were on her list of winter reading but she recommended Temple’s book for gifts.
Across the evening, one theme was clear. Kingston readers were choosing books that felt personal to them this holiday season.
