10 books set to be popular gifts this Christmas

A NUMBER of books this released this month will be vying for your Christmas stocking space in December, here are 10 that are likely to be cropping up on many peoples’s wishlists

Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman are bringing the trivia this Christmas, you bring the turkey. Picture: BBC

Even as the world of shopping continues the relentless move into online digital transactions, there’s still something great about giving the gift of a book.

Last week marked the date ominously referred to in the publshing world as ‘Super Thursday’ - where over 500 potential big sellers are officially released in preparation for those Christmas shoppers. We’ve whittled the hundreds of titles down to 10 which are bound to be inside at least one batch of wrapping paper this yuletide season.

Chris Evans: Call The Midlife

Chris Evans marks his fiftieth birthday and new adventures in 'Call The Midlife'. Picture: Channel 4

The flame-haired bespectacled TV presenter is currently in something of an upswing in his career - following the revival of 90s chat show TFI Friday, he was also appointed the new man behind the steering wheel at Top Gear. In ‘Call The Midlife’, Evans takes stock of his life so far at the landmark age of 50 and reflects on how he feels his best years are still ahead of him.

Steve Coogan: Easily Distracted

The man behind a number of your favourite comedy characters (including Norwich’s biggest Wings fan) lifts the lid on his own life before becoming one of the biggest names on British television. Coogan regales with his early life as one of six children in an Irish Catholic family in Manchester and his quest to be ‘on the telly’.

Tom Jones: Over the Top and Back

The first autobiography by the Welsh music icon is sure to have many swapping their knicker-throwing for page turning this Christmas. Harking back to his early life in a wartime mining community and tracking early brushes with fame, his eventual rise to transatlantic stardom, hitting rock bottom during the 1980s and finding redemption again.

The Road to Little Dribbling: More Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson

The long anticipated follow-up to one of the best-selling travel books ever. 20 years ago, American writer Bill Bryson wrote of his observations on his adopted home in the British Isles. To mark the anniversary of an adventure which the British public very much took to their heart, Bryson has travelled from Bognor Regis to Cape Wrath with plenty of stops and witticisms along the way.

Martina Cole: Get Even

One of the most successful crime writers of modern times, Martina Cole’s latest book is already flying off the shelves and onto the reading lists of many dedicated fans. Get Even is a revenge thriller packing all the punch, grit and emotion you would expect from one of the biggest names in mordern literature.

Pharrell Williams: Happy

Giant hat fan and music mogul Pharrell has turned his monumental pop hit ‘Happy’ into a new children’s book. Don’t expect anything too conventional though, Williams combines the lyrics of his song with a number of artistically designed photographs featuring children in rocket ships and air balloons. Judging that the man is currently is on the biggest hot streak of all time, we foresee this being a bestseller.

Harry Potter & The Philosopher’s Stone (Illustrated) by J.K Rowling

Casting its spell on a whole new generation of fans, the Harry Potter series gets a fresh illustrated look in this highly anticipated new edition. Artist Jim Kay has brought Rowling’s creations to life through a number of pencil, wax crayon and paint portraits. Perfect for wizarding fanatics and young muggles alike.

James Martin: Sweet

Unless you’ve been living under a particularly savoury rock for the last few years, you will have picked up that baking sweet treats is currently the new rock n’ roll (we remember when it was gardening).Husky Saturday Kitchen chef James Martin has released a new batch of baking recipes that are definitely not conducive to that new year diet plan. Oh well.

Great British Bake Off: Another Slice of 2015

It may be all wrapped up for another season, but if you’re still looking for your fix of bunting, baking and (Mary) Berry - then this year’s annual is a good way to keep the spirit alive. There’s trivia, quizzes, games and a selection of baking goodies too.

The A-Z of Pointless by Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman

What would Christmas day be without forcing elderly relatives to take part in a gruelling quiz session? Tea-time telly favourites Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman bring their finest game show wit and intelligence to this latest spin-off book. There’s plenty of questions to outfox your family.