Books, the perfect tactile gift to put a smile on a loved one’s face (at least if you get it right!). Giving books as presents is something I have always loved and definitely a family trait passed down from my grandparents. I love the process of finding the right book for the person, thinking about what they’d love to pour over on a cold Winter’s evening or pop in their hand luggage and whack out by the pool on holiday (when we can go that is!). They are an underrated gift idea that really can cover any situation, so today I thought I’d share a few of my favourite’s that I have been gifted (or gifted myself tehe) in the hope that next time you are stuck for inspiration, you may not have to be stuck for too long!
1. Film for Her by Orion Carloto
A recent purchase of mine, Film for Her is everything I look for in a book. It is beautiful in both text and images, winding its way along a journey of nostalgia through the author’s eyes. Much like all the books in this post, this is definitely what I’d call an inspiration book. The sort of book perfect for a coffee table or a bedside to pick up again and again and always find something new. As the blurb describes, this is a visual diary of a book and if you know someone who has enjoyed books like ‘It’ by Alexa Chung or ‘Useless Magic’ by Florence Welch, then this will be a winner of a gift.
“Film for Her is a story book of people, places, and memories captured on film. Through photographs, poetry, prose, and a short story, Orion Carloto invites readers to remember the forgotten and reach into the past, find comfort in the present, and make sense of the intangible future. Film photography isn’t just eye candy; it’s timeless and romantic-the ideal complement to Carloto’s writing. In Film for Her, much like a visual diary, word and image are intertwined in a book perfect for both gift and self-purchase.”
2. Accidentally Wes Anderson by Wally Koval
There are few people that have such a recognisable aesthetic as film director Wes Anderson. In this book see his constructed, symmetrical palette of a world come to life in real locations that look just like they’ve been plucked from the movies. Based on the viral Instagram account of the same name this book is equal parts adventure, fascinatingly historical and stunningly beautiful. A must buy for any fans, not only of Wes, but of the beautiful world around us!
“This is an adventure. Join us to discover the most interesting and idiosyncratic places on Earth. Inspired by the unique vision of director Wes Anderson, this book travels to every continent to tell the extraordinary and unexpected true stories behind more than two hundred stunning locations.”
3. Glasshouse Greenhouse by India Hobson & Magnus Edmondson of Haarkan
We’ve all become so much more connected to nature this year, it’s a wonderful thing. In this book Magnus & India share the story of glasshouses across the globe through gorgeous photography. From Copenhagen to California, discovering all the uses for these wonderful structures – the overriding theme of this book is truly an appreciation for architecture for the green around us. The perfect gift for the house plant lover, nature fanatic, architecture crazy or just anyone who appreciates beautiful photography.
“Glasshouse Greenhouse fuses together cultures and countries under one glass roof. In their debut book, photographers India Hobson and Magnus Edmondson take you on a worldwide journey through their favourite botanical spaces.
The Haarkon Greenhouse Tour began as a self-initiated adventure in Oxford’s botanic garden four years ago. Since then, Magnus and India have visited countless locations in the UK, Europe, America, Asia and beyond in search of dream glasshouses and greenhouses, capturing dramatic palm houses, tropical hothouses and private potting sheds along the way.”
Have you ever been given or gifted a wonderful book as a present? What’s been your absolute favourite?
