Beautiful books that make unforgettable gifts

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a book lover in possession of a wish list must be in want of a beautiful book.

Whether you're after classics or cookbooks, comics or children's books, this selection of some of our most exquisitely designed stories is ready to give your bookshelf a makeover and win you some brownie points with that special someone.

The Penguin Modern Classics Book by Henry Eliot (2021)

For over half a century, Penguin Modern Classics have sought out and published some of the world’s best books, helping to define the ever-evolving word literature through the words of authors “from Achebe and Adonis to Zamyatin and Zweig”. The Penguin Modern Classics Book, curated by Henry Eliot, is an “essential guide to 20th-century literature from around the world”, full of lists, synopses, context and more – and beautifully clothbound, to boot.

Mythos: The Illustrated Story by Stephen Fry (2023)

The 2017 edition of Fry’s collection of Greek myths retellings was illustrated with classic paintings. Now, they come with illustrations by the polymath Fry himself, lending a new structure and added coherence to his selection of epic stories, all retold with Fry’s inimitable humour and wit which lends even the most intransigent god an element of humanity.

Ottolenghi COMFORT by Yotam Ottolenghi and Helen Goh (2024)

Who said comfort food has to be beige? Swap out your mashed potatoes, simple soups and basic pasta dishes for vibrant curries, stews and traybakes, with this inspiring new cookbook from culinary trailblazer Ottolenghi. Enjoy over 100 recipes, including Garlicky Aligot Potato with Leeks and Thyme; Caramelised Onion Orecchiette with Hazelnuts & Crispy Sage; Cheesy Bread Soup with Savoy Cabbage & Cavolo Nero, all as sensational to look at as they are to taste.

Colourful by Iris Apfel (2024)

The late Iris Apfel was a designer who was best known for her flamboyant, quirky style and joie de vivre. In Colourful, which she wrote at the age of 102, Apfel shares her lessons on everything from creativity to courage, as well as 200 personal photographs and beautiful, unseen fabric patterns from her collection. It’s a book by a woman who led a colourful life – and it makes for an inspiring and gorgeous read.

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking (2016)

It’s only fitting that Meik Wiking’s guide to making your life as cosy, beautiful, and happiness-inducing as possible is itself something of an objet itself, gilt in gold with a gorgeous matte midnight blue dust-jacket. Packed with tips based on research from The Happiness Institute in Copenhagen, The Little Book of Hygge is as pragmatic as it is aesthetically driven, an ideal gift for anyone interested in living well.

1964: Eyes of the Storm by Paul McCartney (2023)

In 2020, with rather more time on hand to rootle through Paul McCartney’s archive, a trove of nearly a thousand photographs were found that he had taken between 1963 and 1964, documenting the first explosion of Beatlemania, in the UK and USA. Intimate new portraits of the band on tour make this a must for the Beatles fan.

The Penguin Book of Christmas Stories by Jessica Harrison (ed.) (2021)

In this festive, clothbound hardback, editor Jessica Harrison brings together wintry stories from literary heavyweights such as Truman Capote, Shirley Jackson, Dylan Thomas, and Chekhov, that are perfect to tell around the Christmas tree and hearth. Beautifully told stories in a book that’s beautiful to look at? There’s no better gift.

A Scandinavian Christmas by Hans Christian Andersen, Karl Ove Knausgaard, Selma Lagerlöf and Vigdis Hjorth (2021)

Though many nations celebrate Christmas, each does it in a distinct way. This treasure trove of Christmas stories spans a wide stylistic range, from the wild (think trolls, dark woods, and beyond) to the whimsical (think cosy family chronicles), from classic writers like Hans Christian Andersen to modern-day authors like Karl Ove Knausgaard. Designed for the most stylish of Scandinavian shelves, this book of stories is a festive and literary smorgasbord.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (2024)

The first novel in the iconic Percy Jackson series, originally published in 2005, has been re-released in this gorgeous clothbound edition. With its stained edges, foiled cover, and 10 pages of new illustrations inside, this beautiful book would be a welcome addition to any young reader’s bookshelf. The Lightning Thief introduces Percy Jackson – half-boy, half-Greek god – as he unintentionally incurs the wrath of Zeus and is in a race against time to clear his name.  

Eat Drink Nap by Soho House (2014)

In the 25 years since Nick Jones launched the original Soho House club, it has become an empire and an identity. In this leisurely collection of stunning styling and photography, you’ll be able to nosy around all the clubs, cook the recipes, and add a touch of Soho House glamour to your own home – without the membership fee.

Apollo Remastered by Andy Saunders (2022)

For half a century, every photo the world ever saw from humankind’s first successful mission to the Moon was reproduced from a low-quality copy made of the photos before they were stored safely away in a frozen vault in Houston. Now, for the first time ever, those photos have been digitally scanned and restored using cutting-edge technology by expert photo restorer Andy Saunders. Dazzling in their quality and clarity, Apollo Remastered brings one of our greatest achievements into stunning new focus.

The Complete Novels of Jane Austen by Jane Austen (2020)

Wedge yourself in with a blanket and supplies because the 1200+ pages of this superb collection will keep you occupied for quite some time. With all six novels ready for rediscovery, as well as Austen’s early unpublished work, Lady Susan, which was adapted in 2016 as Love and Friendship starring Kate Beckinsale, this collection will keep you going all holiday.

Cloudspotting for Beginners by Gavin Pretor-Pinney and William Grill (2024)

If you’ve ever sat on a grassy knoll and marvelled at the clouds floating above you, you’re sure to enjoy Cloudspotting for Beginners. In this beautifully illustrated guide from the bestselling founder of the Cloud Appreciation Society you can learn about the different cloud types (including their official Latin names), where they come from, and how they shape the weather around them. This is a gift for curious minds and nature-lovers alike.

The Secret History (30th Anniversary Edition) by Donna Tartt (2022)

Donna Tartt’s debut novel about a cadre of enigmatic university students who murder their friend seems to gain a bigger audience with each passing year, so it couldn’t be more deserving of this lavish 30th anniversary edition, which wraps a stylish olive cloth binding around the book’s spine to complement its iconic black cover. It’s the perfect gift for the ‘dark academia’ reader in your life, whether they were around for the book’s 1992 publication or discovered it on BookTok.

Wine Folly: Magnum Edition by Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack (2018)

The website Wine Folly revolutionised wine writing (and tasting) by making it jargon-free and accessible. This impressive (and full-bodied, at 322 pages) guide to wine brings all their knowledge and enthusiasm to the reader, doing as good a job of conveying the joy of wine as getting out the corkscrew and opening a bottle. Plenty for both the novice and oenophile to savour.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (2010)

Greta Gerwig’s stunning film adaptation breathed new life into Little Women, and Coralie Bickford-Smith’s lovely clothbound Penguin Classic acts as the perfect companion piece, perfect for the reader discovering Alcott’s original novel for the first time. With four ‘little women’ as sparky and determined as Alcott herself, this edition will find a host of new fans this Christmas.

The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami (2024)

Haruki Murakami’s surrealist novels are infused with a sense of magic – even when dealing with the more sobering elements of the human experience. His new novel is no exception. A young man’s search for his missing girlfriend takes him to an imaginary city, where the line between reality and fantasy starts to blur. This is a beautiful tale – with a beautiful cover to match. Fans of the author’s work will also enjoy the Murakami Collectible Classics Collection.

Read more: Where to Start Reading Haruki Murakami

Penguin Classics Marvel Collection: Black Panther by Don McGregor, Rich Buckler, Billy Graham, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (2022)

In the Penguin Classics Marvel Collection, a host of comics experts curate and contextualise some of the best stories from the Marvel Universe, including this illustrated history of the Black Panther. Exploring the character's origin story from 1966, alongside the most significant tales from the 1970s solo series, this is a comprehensive, stylish overview of one of the most popular superheroes. A perfect gift for any Marvel fan, or anyone with an interest in pop culture and literary history.

By My Hands by Florian Gadsby (2023)

A well-thrown pot is a beautiful thing – and appreciated even more so if you are someone who is trying to learn the art and knows how hard it is to get right. Florian Gadsby has earned a large following on Instagram through his beautiful videos showing him in all stages of the creative process, and his wry captions and lovely writing where he doesn't take himself too seriously.

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy (2024)

Charlie Mackesy’s picture book was a word-of-mouth sensation during the pandemic, providing comfort to many with its uplifting message of hope and solidarity. This message is more relevant now than ever. To mark the book’s fifth anniversary, it has been re-released as a limited edition clothbound. With its gold gilded edges and two new illustrations, this gorgeous new edition would make the perfect Christmas gift for readers of any age.