Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas: The Perfect Book For Every Reader

Need to quickly buy some last minute gifts? There’s no place more perfect than your local bookshop, where there’s always something for everyone… including yourself. Here are a few suggestions, for every reader.

Australia authors:

The Living Sea of Waking Dreams by Richard Flanagan

From the Booker Prize winning author of The Narrow Road to the Deep North comes The Living Sea of Waking Dreams, an ember storm of a novel that is a powerful lament to our treatment of nature and an urgent cry for change. It is yet another literary masterpiece from the very talented Richard Flanagan.

All Our Shimmering Skies by Trent Dalton

From Trent Dalton, author of the record-breaking Boy Swallows Universe, comes All Our Shimmering Skies, a story about gifts that fall from the sky, curses we dig from the earth and the secrets we bury inside ourselves. It is a love letter to Australia and an ode to the art of looking up – a buoyant, beautiful and magical novel, abrim with warmth, wit and wonder.

Honeybee by Craig Silvey

Honeybee is a tender, profoundly moving novel, brimming with vivid characters and luminous words. It’s about two lives forever changed by a chance encounter – one offering hope, the other redemption.

Summer reads:

The Champagne War by Fiona McIntosh

Another spectacular novel from Fiona McIntosh that captures themes of love, loss, hope and resilience. And Champagne. A must-read if you’re a fan of her work or anyone looking for a sweeping historical fiction novel.

Flying the Nest by Rachael Johns

The first time Ashling Wood realises her marriage is on the rocks is when her husband, Adrian, suggests they try nest parenting. Her friends think the modern custody solution is an exciting opportunity for her to spread her wings, but all Ash wants is her family back together.

When She Was Good by Michael Robotham

Six years ago, Evie Cormac was found hiding in a secret room in the aftermath of a brutal murder and has never revealed her name. Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven believes the truth around her identity will set Evie free. There’s a reason why Michael Robotham is so popular – he really does sit atop a strong genre, always leading the way for new authors. When She Was Good is a heart-stopping psychological thriller, with a terrifying and brilliant end.

The hard-to-buy-for:

A Promised Land by Barack Obama

A riveting, deeply personal account of history in the making – from the president who inspired us to believe in the power of democracy.

Cook, Eat, Repeat by Nigella Lawson

Cook, Eat, Repeat is a delicious and delightful combination of recipes intertwined with narrative essays about food, all written in Nigella’s engaging and insightful prose.

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

An unconventional memoir filled with raucous stories, outlaw wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way about living with greater satisfaction

Phosphorescence by Julia Baird

One might think that Julia Baird had a crystal ball and glimpsed into the future, with the very timely publication of Phosphorescence as we all went into lockdown. It’s about finding the ‘light within’ that Julia Baird calls ‘phosphorescence’ – which will sustain us even through the darkest times.

Lifespan by David Sinclair

In this paradigm-shifting book from acclaimed Harvard Medical School doctor and one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people on earth, Dr. David Sinclair reveals that everything we think we know about ageing is wrong. Fascinating, educational and empowering.

The Divine Feline by Belinda Alexandra

The gorgeous hardcover edition, complete with copper embossed lettering, delightful illustrations and a luxurious felt spine, would make the perfect gift for the cat lover in your life.

Mary’s Last Dance by Mary Li

The highly anticipated memoir of Australian ballerina Mary Li – and the long-awaited sequel to her husband Li Cunxin’s bestselling memoir, Mao’s Last Dancer. Mary’s Last Dance is a powerful and uplifting memoir about chasing an impossible dream and sacrificing one’s own ambition for the love of a child.

Children and Teens:

Dare to be You by Matthew Syed

Inspiring and entertaining, this is the book every adult wishes they’d been given during puberty. This book has simple steps and easy strategies which will inspire tweens and teens to fearlessly follow their own path. Includes real-life examples of people who have successfully made a difference to their own life and to the world.

The Wizard In My Shed by Simon Farnaby, illustrated by Claire Powell

Set in our present-day world, this “fish out of water” fantasy novel has a touch of Catweazle that is very appealing. Merdyn, the greatest warlock of all time, is sent from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. He teams up with Rose, creating all manner of magic, mix-up’s, mishaps, and mayhem as they try to find his way home.

Terry Denton’s Really Truly Amazing Guide to Everything by Terry Denton

Ultimate funnyman Terry Denton turns his talents to non-fiction with this bumper guide to the weirdest and wackiest things in the universe. Engaging for ages 8 to 80 (and beyond!), readers will learn fascinating tidbits about a whole host of topics from geography to geology, chemistry to biology and more! A must-have when your child won’t stop asking, ‘but why?’

Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Talented Australian author Jessica Townsend exceeds all expectations with the third book in the Nevermoor series. This is a fast-paced thriller that provides the perfect escape into a wonderful magical land with a dark and deadly adventure, moral dilemmas, and powerful parallels to our current societal issues. The perfect fantasy series for readers 10+.