Jackie Gift Ideas for Essays, Memoirs and Biographies

A Month in Siena – by Hisham Matar

Hisham Matar’s reflections on Sienese art, the city of Siena and the encounters he had whilst living there are poignant, insightful and thought-provoking. This is one of my favourite books of 2020 and I know that I will return to it again and again.

British Designers at Home – by Jenny Rose-Innes

For anyone with an interest in homes and interiors, this gorgeously illustrated book gives a glimpse into the homes of some of our greatest interior designers. An inspirational book to dip into over Christmas – it would make a wonderful gift.

Jeoffry: The Poet’s Cat - A Biography – by Oliver Soden

In his wonderfully original new book, Oliver Soden, the acclaimed biographer of British composer Michael Tippett, writes from the point of view of Jeoffry, the cat immortalised in 18th-century poet Christopher Smart’s poem ‘For I will consider my Cat Jeoffry’ and Benjamin Britten’s brilliant choral work Rejoice in the Lamb. Confined with the poet to an asylum, the book is an inspired, imaginary account of life in Georgian London. As the renowned conductor Jane Glover writes, it ‘is a must-read for lovers of poetry, the eighteenth century, and of cats’.

Tom Stoppard: A Life – by Hermione Lee

In the masterful hands of the best of literary biographers, Hermione Lee’s brilliantly written and researched biography of the great playwright is the definitive work on Stoppard and is a must-have for anyone interested in his amazing body of work, his fascinating life and above all the theatre.

There are Places in the World where Rules are Less Important than Kindness – by Carlo Rovelli

A new and brilliant collection of essays on science, philosophy, politics and history from the acclaimed philosopher-physicist Carlo Rovelli. Such an exciting writer - this will be essential reading for anyone who has enjoyed Rovelli’s best-selling Seven Brief Lessons on Physics and The Order of Time.

In the Kitchen: Essays on Food and Life

A new collection of essays from thirteen contemporary writers, including Nigerian essayist Yemisi Aribisala, Booker-shortlisted novelist Daisy Johnson, former Great British Bake Off contestant Ruby Tandoh and food writer Rachel Roddy, this book is perfect reading for the Christmas holidays – inspirational writing on the cultural significance of food, cookbooks, the kitchens we eat in. It would make a great gift.