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  • Christmas 2020: books for gifting to your family, friends and colleagues
  • Drawing of person taking stack of books on a sledge through the snow, with mountains in the distance and a cottage in front of them.
    Drawing of person taking stack of books on a sledge through the snow, with mountains in the distance and a cottage in front of them.

    Christmas 2020 – the best books for gifting

Looking for a gift for a family member, friend or colleague? Or want to treat yourself this Christmas? Whatever you're after this festive season, we've got plenty of recommendations and inspiration.

New non-fiction

New fiction

The best books for...

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Recommendations

Nature lovers

The very best nature writing has the power to move us, to replenish us and to remind us just how much we owe the planet we're now destroying.
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Recommendations

Foodies

If they love all things food – cooking it, eating it, serving it and, of course, drooling over photos of it – then these cookbooks make perfect gifts.
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Recommendations

Sports fans

These books will make ideal gifts for anyone who loves watching, playing, or just reading about sport and sports stars.
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Recommendations

Music enthusiasts

A gift list for anyone who never has their headphones out of their ears.
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Recommendations

Crime fans

With everything from race-against-time action to psychological twists, these are the books no crime reader will be able to put down.
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Recommendations

Romance lovers

A reading list that will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you believe in the power of you-know-what.

Books for the whole family

Gifts from the Penguin Shop

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Children's Christmas classics

Gift inspiration

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Recommendations

Books for people who want to change the world

Recommended reading for anyone in your life who want to understand more about the challenges facing society today and really make a difference.
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Recommendations

Brilliant books for young feminists

Got a young person in your life looking to learn more about feminism? Or perhaps you're looking to brush up on the subject yourself? These books will help inspire, inform and galvanise anyone joining the fight for gender equality.
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Recommendations

Beautiful books that make unforgettable Christmas gifts

Give the book-lover in your life something special with one of these gorgeously illustrated stories, clothbound classics or photography collections. Or, you know, just treat yourself.
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Recommendations

A book for Christmas: Penguin authors remember the magic of receiving literary gifts

Ruth Ware, Dolly Alderton, Simon Mayo, Mary Portas and more recall the most special books they have received as gifts, from treasured hand-me-downs to original editions. For more recommendations, try the Penguin Christmas gift guide.

2020's prize-winning books

Fiction for teenagers

Books for nature lovers

More for nature lovers More for nature lovers

Extracts to get you in the Christmas spirit

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Extracts

Christmas Shopaholic by Sophie Kinsella

For the first time Becky Brandon (née Bloomwood) is hosting Christmas. What could possibly go wrong? Read on for an extract from Sophie Kinsella's latest novel in the series.
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Extracts

A festive short story: A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote

Capote's 1965 autobiographical work describes his childhood memories of the real-life Sook, a distant relative who was 'the only stable person' in his life. Capturing the essence of Christmastime in a depression-era Alabama, it's a love letter to yesteryear brimming with yuletide cheer – and a splash of contraband whiskey.

Cooking inspiration

Secret Santa gifts

Audiobooks

Buy Christmas gifts for book lovers from the Penguin Shop

Christmas gifts for book lovers

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