Editor's picks: Books to read (or gift) during the holidays
December is an ideal month to immerse yourself in books, contemplate what you managed to read throughout the year, or compile a list of reads for the upcoming one.
Our editors invest considerable time exploring a diverse range of books, spanning from art history to romance. Here, we've curated a selection of our personal favourites for you to indulge in or gift to loved ones during the festive season.
1. Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle ZevinGabrielle Zevin's tale of love and friendship between two game designers was released last year and swiftly made it to the UK bestsellers chart. It’s a captivating story that explores how childhood friends Sam and Sadie navigate the challenges of creating their inaugural blockbuster, Ichigo. Overnight, they find themselves successful, and wealthy, but these attributes provide no defence against their own creative ambitions or the betrayals of their hearts. Unfolding over three decades, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California and beyond, Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is about identity, disability, failure, and, above all, our need for connection.
2. Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot
Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. EliotT. S. Eliot gifted the world his whimsical masterpiece, ‘Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats’ in 1939. Published by Faber and Faber, where Eliot was an editor, this collection of imaginative verse later served as the creative genesis for Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical, ‘Cats’, which graced London's West End in 1981. Eliot's poems, delving into the feline psychology and social dynamics with humour (despite being known for sombre poems such as The Waste Land or Four Quartets) were originally penned in letters to his godchildren.
In 1931, Eliot responded to his young godson, Tom Faber, who had written about his own cat. Eliot responded,
I am glad you have a Cat, but I do not believe it is So remarkable a cat as My cat. My Cat is a Lilliecat Hubvsouly… ITS NAME IS JELLYLORUM.
T. S. Eliot Between 1936 and 1938, Eliot continued to weave his feline tales and today, their enduring allure continue to captivate adults and children alike.
3. The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer
The Power of Intention by Wayne DyerTransform your perspective, and you'll witness a transformation in the world around you.
Wayne DyerThis philosophy lies at the heart of Wayne Dyer's extensive research into the influential power of intention, which he explores as a universal energy. Challenging the traditional view of relentless determination, Dyer introduces us to the concept of 'connectors'— those perceived as fortunate —and underscores intention as an intrinsic force shaping our lives. The book offers principles, real-life examples, and practical guidance for integrating intention into daily life, envisioning a harmonious world in sync with the universal mind of intention. Essentially, it advocates a move from doing to being, unlocking the transformative potential of intention in co-creating our reality. An ideal read to kickstart a successful new year!