Booktrust Christmas Staff Recommendations...

Nicola recommends... Light on Snow by Anita Shreve

'A gripping, beautifully written tale of love, loss and growing up, perfect for cosying up with in front of the fire on a winter’s night. One evening, twelve-year-old Nicky and her father discover a newborn baby abandoned in the snow near to their remote woodland house. They save the child’s life but when the baby’s mother arrives at the house, tragedy, grief, and ultimately hope, envelopes all three. The cold of winter creeps off the pages in the exciting, perceptive and very moving novel written by one of my absolute favourite writers.'

Katherine recommends... The Lost Art of Keeping Secrets by Eva Rice

'...a lovely, frothy champagne-cocktail of a book full of gorgeous frocks and teas at the Ritz. It’s the 1950s and eighteen-year-old Penelope is bored of life at her crumbling ancestral home, dreaming of rock and roll, espressos and adventure. Then she meets the delightfully eccentric Charlotte, and life suddenly becomes much more exciting. Charming and nostalgic, this is the perfect feel-good festive read.

Will recommends... Tinker Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carre

If you’re growing tired of incessant Wikileaking and long for some good old-fashioned Cold War paranoia and Government duplicity, turn your eyes (shiftily) to John le Carre’s classic espionage thriller Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. It’s smart, compassionate and thrilling. You didn’t hear it from me.  

Scott recommends... The Fry Chronicles: An Autobiography by Stephen Fry

It was a warming book to read at this time of year, with Stephen pulling you through his dark times of addiction and depression. The combination of his incredibly honest and intimate recounting and hilarious anecdotes felt like a big, warm hug. I’d recommend this book to anyone who tends to feel low at this time of year.

Anna recommends... The Children's Book by AS Byatt

'If you enjoy beautifully written and well-researched fiction, this one's for you! The novel is set around the lives of a group of children and their families at a time of great social change: the end of Victoria's reign and the beginning of World War One. Combining art, "the woman question" and burgeoning liberal social philosophies of the time, the book profiles the experience of childhood and growing up in a changing era, and shows the heartbreaking effect of war on all involved.'

Carolyn recommends... Matched by Allie Condie

'I finished this book months ago and it is still playing on my mind… A modern-day twist on the dystopian worlds of The Handmaid’s Tale or 1984, Matched follows Cassia through her seemingly utopian life. The Officials determine that everything is as it should be, everything is matched. Society is organised, efficient, optimum in every way. Yet for Cassia something beneath the surface refuses to settle. Intelligent and headstrong, Cassia learns that the line between rule-breaking and free will is not so fine after all. One of the most gripping books – adult, children’s or teen – that I have read in a long time.'

Bridget recommends... The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

'This is a truly chilling ghost story that begins on Christmas Eve, perfect for winter evenings by the fire but perhaps not on your own. It's a quick and satisfying read that’s easy to fit in around all the demands of Christmas.'

Emma recommends... A Necklace of Raindrops by Joan Aiken, illustrated by Jan Pienkowski

'The stories in this book are magical and enchanting – this would make such a special present for a child. Make sure you get an edition with Jan Pienkowski’s amazing illustrations, which set striking silhouette cut-outs against vibrant, multi-coloured backgrounds. I still treasure my copy I was given when I was wee.'

Nikki recommends... I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

'This is a witty and dark YA novel. With an interesting premise of a young guy, Ed, who unwittingly foils a bank robbery and starts receiving playing cards in the post, this novel surprised me by providing the character and readers with difficult and complex decisions. There is a real excitement as to whether Ed can discover the meaning behind all the cards and if he does, what course of action will he take? Or will he do nothing, as he has been prone to doing in the past? This book isn’t just for YA readers and if you loved The Book Thief, you will love this too. It won’t make you cry as that might have, it’ll make you think and have an occasional laugh too!'

Meg recommends... Coconut Unlimited by Booktrust's very own Nikesh Shukla

'Coconut Unlimited charts the coming of age of Amit, an Indian teenager growing up in Harrow in the 1990s. Desperate to escape the contradictory pressures from family, friends, teachers and students from his private school and the local drug dealer; Amit finds passion and expression in Hip Hop and forms legendary band Coconut Unlimited with hilarious results. Told with humour and pathos, Coconut Unlimited will be enjoyed by anyone who has ever been a teenager.'

Kay recommends... Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel

'We all think we know the Tudor period, a staple of primary school history lessons, and Hilary Mantel’s prize winning book brings it alive to a grown up audience.  Her prose wraps you in the glorious, frightening, fascinating world of the royal court and beyond through the life of Thomas Cromwell, an outsider from a lowly background who became an integral part of Henry’s world.  Beautifully and sharply written, you will lose yourself in this wonderful book and forget the 21st century!'

Bella recommends... Arthur and George by Julian Barnes

'Riding the wave of BBC-induced interest in Sherlock Holmes, I fully expected Arthur and George to be a tale of crimes cunningly solved by a duo that were surely no more than thinly veiled versions of Holmes and Watson...? Not so. This historical novel is based on the true story of the "Great Wyrley Outrages" which saw unknown solicitor George Edalji accused of butchering horses and his appeal subsequently taken up by Arthur Conan Doyle himself. Guilt, innocence, crime, race, and identity all figure, but it is the careful description of two very different men on two very different paths in Victorian England that best reveals the human behind the legend.'

Nikesh recommends... The Ask by Sam Lipsyte

'... this year's funniest book, funnier than Jacobson, funnier than My Booky Wook 2. Milo is an 'ask'er. He works in a university soliciting generous donations from rich parents of students and he's on a losing streak. He hasn't successfully asked in a while, his wife is insisting on a 'no-touch' policy and his co-workers are trying to get him fired. Then he has to ask something off an old friend. With hilarious consequences. Obviously. The book is energetically-paced and the sheer momentum of Lipyste’s writing allows it to veer wildly from present-day narrative to anecdotes to social deconstruction in a matter of paragraphs. Filled with killer dialogue and obsessive selfish people, The Ask keeps you laughing, guessing and cringing right until the last page.'