Christmas Gifts from Heywood Hill
21 November, 2019
Christmas is officially just around the corner, but never fear! Here at Heywood Hill we have all your festive gifting needs covered. Read on and you will find a wealth of literary gift ideas, including themed book bundles, beautiful rare volumes, and bespoke services. You can also check out our 2019 Christmas Shopping Guide, which is filled to the brim with our favourite books of the season. And, of course, you can always consult our booksellers, either over the phone, by email, or by dropping in at the shop; we are always delighted to assist.
A selection of our booksellers' favourite novels this season, including the mind-bending story of a young priest on Exmoor, a more than worthy Booker Prize (co)winner, an emotionally articulate historical novel, engrossing literary fiction, and a spooky story ideal for Christmas Eve. A perfect present for the bookworm in your life - even if (especially if?!) that bookworm just happens to be you... £75.
If in doubt, give them A Year in Books. Our signature service suits absolutely anyone, because it is the most personalised books subscription there is: lucky recipients of this gift will recieve a welcome letter inviting them to tell us about their reading tastes, then throughout the year a personal bookseller will send beautifully wrapped books chosen especially for them. From £125.
A complete set of James Runcie's Grantchester mysteries, which inspired the popular television series of the same name. Three of the eight volumes included are First Editions, signed by the author. This near-fine set also includes Runcie's prequel novel, The Road to Grantchester. A truly wonderful gift for any fan of these charming stories. £495.
A delectable selection of our favourite new non-fiction titles, including a short history of the country house weekend, the inimitable Plum Wodehouse on all things sport, a Victorian society scandal, a fascinating insight into the life and wardrobe of HM the Queen, and a window into the bohemian world of interwar literary London. £100.
Fit for any true fan of the English thriller, this First Edition of Eric Ambler's 1956 novel The Night-Comers is housed in its original dust wrapper and signed by its author. John le Carré describes Ambler as 'the source on which we all draw', and it is easy to see why: set in South East Asia, this novel is characteristically inventive, gripping, and thoroughly entertaining. £250.
As far as we at Heywood Hill are concerned, nothing says 'Christmas' more than curling up by a roaring fire with an equally (rip-)roaring read. This book bundle provides just that, and then some: encompassing country houses, space shuttles, Silicon Valley and the Cold War, these gems will keep you guessing well into the new year. £75.
This First Edition of Virgil Thompson's 1971 work of criticism American Music Since 1910 belonged to none other than Ira Gershwin, and is inscribed to him by its author. Complete with the original dust wrapper, this would make a lovely gift for any music lover. £395.
Including contributions from the whole Guinness family, this delightful volume of recipes, gathered together by Mirabel Guinness, is illustrated by Roland Pym. Running the full gamut of meals, from nursery tea to formal dinner, this book constitutes a wonderful, sensuous evocation of life at Biddesden. £14.99.
When the mid-winter weather means the game's called off, sports fans can instead engross themselves in these brilliant books. Encompassing cricket, cycling, rugby, motoring and riding, this book bundle makes the ideal gift for any sports enthusiast - be they professional competitor, amateur player, or simply a dedicated spectator. £100.
A First Edition of Roald Dahl's 1979 adult novel My Uncle Oswald, signed by the author. This romp of a novel follows Uncle Oswald - previous star of Dahl's short stories 'The Visitor' and 'Bitch' - as he enacts a scheme to steal the semen of Great Men (victims include Marcel Proust, Sigmund Freud and Albert Einstein) and sell it to women who wish to bear children fathered by geniuses... £495.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that books make the most romantic gifts. What better love-token, then, than an entire library designed exclusively for its owner? At Heywood Hill we build libraries to fit any brief. We can also provide a beautiful bespoke voucher for you to place under the tree, inviting your loved one to come in and discuss their library with us. To find out more, contact our Library Department here.
Our Rare Books department have recently acquired a fascinating collection of rare and antiquarian cookbooks. Highlights include John Trusler's 1791 guide to dining etiquette, The Honours of the Table (£1,350) and this First Edition of Elizabeth David's 1978 English Bread and Yeast Cookery (£495). Signed by its author, this copy belonged to the food writer and broadcaster Derek Cooper. You can request to view the complete list here.
The Ultimate Christmas Cracker
The final installment of what, for many of our customers, is the highlight of the festive season. This year's edition of John Julius Norwich's famous and much-loved annual collection of curiosities is accompanied by a selection of highlights, chosen by his daughter Artemis Cooper, from the full fifty years of Christmas Cracker. Not to be missed. £19.99.
At Heywood Hill we are honoured to receive visits from a wide variety of interesting and talented people, including a number of writers who very kindly sign copies of their books for us. We often post about these on our website and social media, but it is also worth either giving us a call or popping in to the shop to find out what signed copies we currently have in stock, and who is due to visit soon.
We are very pleased indeed to present the inaugural Heywood Hill Tote Bag. Featuring a beautiful bespoke design by the London artist Cressida Bell screen-printed onto 100% organic cotton, this bag is produced entirely in the UK. So, as well as helping you cut down on plastic, it also has a much smaller carbon footprint than bags produced overseas. Just the thing for carrying home your Christmas shopping… £19.99.
