As we approach December, you’re bound to find yourself being visited by many friends and family, so why not treat them to a special home-cooked meal? At the Book People, we have a variety of cookbooks for you to choose from that cover many different types of food. So, why not impress everyone by dishing up something fresh and exciting? Here’s a selection of titles that will provide you with some new recipes.

Jamie’s Great Britain
Jamie Oliver celebrates the best of British food with over 100 of his favourite tasty recipes, all using national produce. With easy-to-follow instructions for cooks of all abilities, this is the book for you if you want to serve up a patriotic dish with a twist. Jamie offers tasty and flavourful food that he feels passionately about, and you will too!

Gino D’Acampo – Italian Home Baking
Italian celebrity chef Gino D’Acampo provides you with a guide to plenty of hearty food from his homeland. With recipes ranging from bread and pizzas to cakes and biscuits, this beautifully-photographed cookbook will help you create mouth-watering savoury and sweet treats that are certain to delight all your guests.

Christine Manfield – Tasting India
One of Australia’s top chefs Christine Manfield’s Tasting India features over 250 recipes for both traditional and contemporary home-style Indian dishes – ranging from cabbage salad to spiced goat curry. Christine casts a keen eye over the culture of the country too, and this book offers scrumptious food full of spices that is bound to turn a few heads.

The Hairy Bikers – Perfect Pies
Like Jamie, The Hairy Bikers are also celebrating British food but Si King and Dave Myers are sticking to the traditional classic – the pie. They offer recipes and instructions on how to bake both sweet and savoury pies, and tell you how to choose the appropriate pastry and filling for whatever occasion you have planned. The ideal cookbook to prepare for a Christmas gathering.

Lorraine Pascale – Home Cooking Made Easy
Following on from the success of her BBC series, the new Queen of cookery Lorraine Pascale aims to simplify all those challenges you face in the kitchen by offering a wide range of relaxed and enjoyable home-cooking recipes. Her easy-to-follow instructions cover roasts, soups and bread, giving you the perfect chance to impress any visitors with a substantial meal.

Paul Mercurio – Cooking With Beer
Add a little more excitement to your food with some alcoholic ingredients. TV personality Paul Mercurio shows you how to cook 80 dishes using beer, ale, lager and stout as a substantial ingredient. Guaranteed to raise a few eyebrows and delight many tastebuds, this gives you the chance to treat your friends and family to the likes of Beer-Braised Beef Osso Bucco and Birramisu.

Any good book collection should always be based on classics that you can turn to time and again. If you want to build your collection of timeless classics, or you know someone that would greatly appreciate some help, take a look at some of the books available from the Book People right now and consider adding them to your Christmas list.

1. Spot
Spot the dog has long been a favourite of children all around the world, and this cuddly little dog is a welcome addition to any child’s bookshelf. Our ‘Spot Collection In A Bag’ comes with 10 of Spot’s most famous adventures, such as ‘Happy Birthday Spot’, ‘Spot’s New Game’ and ‘Time for bed, Spot’; the ideal book to read your child to sleep with.

2. Agatha Christie
Agatha Christie played a massive part in creating the murder mystery genre that we know and love today, and her books are still page turners even today. Our Agatha Christie Audio Boxed Collection allows you to listen to some of her best works on CD, including ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd’, ‘Death on the Nile’ and ‘Why Didn’t They Ask Evans?’

3. Winnie the Pooh
Nearly everyone will have read or watched Winnie the Pooh as a child, and if you want to pass down your love of this huggable bear and his friends to your children, you should pick up Winnie-the-Pooh: The Complete Collection. The books follow Christopher Robin as he meets Winnie and enjoys loads of exciting adventures with him, Eeyore, Piglet, Rabbit, Owl, Kanga, Roo and, everyone’s favourite, Tigger.

4. Peter Rabbit
The simplicity of Beatrix Potter’s stories and accompanying illustrations is what makes her books so popular. The World of Peter Rabbit Collection includes some of the best-loved books in children’s literature, including ‘The Tale of Tom Kitten’, ‘The Tale of The Floppsy Bunnies’ and, of course, the famous ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’.

5. Inspector Morse
If you enjoy the murder mystery genre, The Complete Inspector Morse Collection is a definite must-read; packed with red herrings, twists, turns and plots that will keep you guessing right up until the last page. Sit down to books like ‘Last Bus To Woodstock’, ‘The Wench Is Dead’ and ‘The Riddle Of The Third Mile’.

6. Crime Classics
Our Crime Classics Collection contains some of the best books by crime authors to date. These classic tales include Edgar Allan Poe’s, ‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’, Charles Dickens’, ‘Bleak House’ and Arthur Conan Doyle’s, ‘Favourite Sherlock Holmes Stories’, as well as many more.

7. Enid Blyton
If you want to read your children to sleep with some of the greatest children’s books, Enid Blyton’s Happy Days Collection should definitely be on your Christmas list. This collection contains some of Blyton’s best works, such as ‘Snowball the Pony’, ‘Run-About’s Holiday’ and ‘The Adventures of Binkle and Flip’.

8. Roald Dahl
Everyone will recognise Roald Dahl’s books thanks to the films that have been made out of them, but if you want to enjoy them in their original format get yourself the Roald Dahl Collection. Containing huge titles like ‘The BFG’, ‘Matilda’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’, it’s guaranteed to be a hit with both you and the kids.

9. Little Miss
Based on the Mr Men books, Little Miss is a line of books designed for little girls to enjoy. With loads of lovable and hilarious characters, the Little Miss Library Collection is the ideal thing to read your child off to sleep with. If you think your little girl is a ‘Little Miss Stubborn’, a ‘Little Miss Shy’ or a ‘Little Miss Giggles’, surprise them with this on Christmas morning.

10. Man Booker Prize
The Man Booker Prize is an incredibly prestigious award, with many of the annual winners becoming internationally renowned for their winning book. However, the shortlist for the award also makes for an amazing read, and our Man Booker Prize Shortlist 2011 collection includes some of 2011’s best-selling books, such as ‘Half Blood Blues’ by Esi Edugyan, ‘Pigeon English’ by Stephen Kelman and ‘Snowdrops’ by A.D. Miller.

The shortlists for the 2011 Costa Book Awards have been announced. Originally established in 1971 and now seen as a very prestigious book prize, 2011 marks the 40th year of the awards. Winners in the five categories – Novel, First Novel, Biography, Poetry and Children’s Book – will each receive £5,000, and the overall winner from the five categories will be named Book of the Year, and the author will receive £30,000. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in central London on 21 January, 2012. Books must have been published in the UK between 1 November 2010 and 31 October 2011 to qualify.

2011’s nominees are:

2011 Costa Novel Award shortlist
Julian Barnes for The Sense of Ending (Jonathan Cape)
John Burnside for A Summer of Drowning (Jonathan Cape)
Andrew Miller for Pure (Sceptre)
Louisa Young for My Dear I Wanted to Tell You (HarperCollins)

2011 Costa First Novel Award shortlist
Kevin Barry for City of Bohane (Jonathan Cape)
Patrick McGuinness for The Last Hundred Days (Seren)
Christie Watson for Tiny Sunbirds Far Away (Quercus)
Kerry Young for Pao (Bloomsbury)

2011 Costa Biography Award shortlist
Julia Blackburn for Thin Paths: Journeys In and Around an Italian Mountain Village (Jonathan Cape)
Patrick and Henry Cockburn for Henry’s Demons: Living with Schizophrenia, A Father and Son’s Story (Simon & Schuster)
Matthew Hollis for Now All Roads Lead to France: The Last Years of Edward Thomas (Faber and Faber)
Claire Tomalin for Charles Dickens: A Life (Viking)

2011 Costa Poetry Award shortlist
Carol Ann Duffy for The Bees (Picador)
David Harsent for Night (Faber and Faber)
Jackie Kay for Fiere (Picador)
Sean O’Brien for November (Picador)

2011 Costa Children’s Book Award shortlist
Martyn Bedford for Flip (Walker Books)
Frank Cottrell Boyce for The Unforgotten Coat (Walker Books)
Lissa Evans for Small Change for Stuart (Doubleday)
Moira Young for Blood Red Road (Marion Lloyd Books)

Now, we’ll offer our picks from each category:

Novel:

Louisa Young – My Dear I Wanted To Tell You

One of the most powerful books you’ll read this year, this harrowing romantic novel from Louisa Young, the adult half of Lionboy authors Zizou Corder, tells the moving story of Nadine Waveney, Julia Locke and Rose Locke. Three women who are stuck at home, waiting for their beloved Riley Purefoy and Peter Locke to make an ever-imminent return from fighting for their country during World War I.

First novel:

Christie Watson – Tiny Sunbirds Far Away:

At the Book People, we heralded Christie Watson’s first book as one of our recommended debut novels, and we’re thrilled to see it under consideration for such a huge award. A beguiling tale from Lagos, Nigeria, it tells how the lives of Blessing and her brother Ezikiel are turned upside down when their father’s infidelity results their mother being sacked from her job at the Royal Imperial Hotel. Soon they have to move out too, and it is a shock beyond measure for them to go from living a life of luxury to having to survive in a peasant’s compound.

Biography:

Claire Tomalin – Charles Dickens : A Life

Claire Tomalin’s hugely insightful hardback deftly reveals the extraordinary story behind one of the biggest literary phenomenons of all time – Charles Dickens. Told intelligently, this authoritative biography explores the fascinating, and sometimes self-destructive, nature of a politically-radical man who fathered ten children and created some of the finest characters in literary history.

Poetry:

Carol Ann Duffy – The Bees

Carol Ann Duffy’s first collection of poems since being named Poet Laureate finds her using her full poetic range across a wide variety of topics – drinking, love, politics and even the weather. Bees are woven throughout the book as they symbolise what Carol believes is left of grace in the world. The collection also contains elegies to Carol’s much-missed loved ones, including an emotional tribute to her own mother.

Children’s Book:

Lissa Evans – Small Change For Stuart

Lissa Evans tells the entertaining story of Stuart Horten – a small ten year-old boy who moves to the dreary town of Beeton. Once settled in Beeton, the strangest adventure of his life begins as he is swept up in a quest to find his great-uncle’s lost workshop – a place that is filled with magic and trickery. Things don’t quite work out as planned, and Stuart soon realises he’s going to need help.

Christmas is fast approaching, and an amazing book makes the perfect present – for the entire family. Here at TBP, we have a range of exciting, great-value sets that will entertain the kids for days, television tie-ins and celebrity autobiographies for those who enjoy a lighter read, as well as our more traditional novel collections. We also have a huge range of cookbooks to make sure you won’t go hungry during the festive season. Here’s some essential books we feel your family will be delighted to find under the tree come Christmas morning.

For Everyone:

Frozen Planet
Accompanying the fascinating BBC documentary, this stunning, informative hardback is full of stunning images of killer whales, polar bears and the last great frozen Polar wilderness. A beautiful read for Christmas day!

Frozen Planet

Wonders of the Universe – Professor Brian Cox
For anyone with an interest in science, this book sees Professor Brian Cox presenting an insightful and enthusiastic exploration of space, the universe and astrophysics – all told in terms that are easy for the reader to understand.

For Dad:

I, Partridge
Steve Coogan’s startling creation, Alan Partridge, has been a mainstay of British comedy for two decades and this book tells all, in Alan’s unique words, about his TV and radio career. Constantly a victim of poor scheduling, this autobiography gives Dad the real story behind Norwich’s favourite son.

Top Gear Guide to Christmas
Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May give their own take on the festive season, with the likes of Christmas jumpers, present wrapping – and many other Yuletide traditions – feeling their wrath.

Top Gear Guide for Christmas

For Mum:

Strictly Come Dancing Annual 2012
Another huge BBC show that attracts millions of viewers every week, this annual will delight fans of all ages as they discover the inside scoop on the dancers, the celebrities and the routines. It also features many quizzes and games that are ideal to play with the whole family.

Stitch – Cath Kidston
If your mother has an interest in cross-stitching or is looking for a hobby for the New Year, Cath Kidston’s book could be the ideal Christmas present- it contains over 20 charted designs and more than 40 finished projects.

For Children:

Thomas Story Library Collection
An incredible selection featuring 65 paperback stories from everyone’s favourite Tank Engine and his friends, this beautifully-packaged boxed set will delight young boys (and Dad!) with its colourful characters and exciting adventures.

Thomas the Tank Engine

Rainbow Magic Fairies Series 7-9
All 21 books from series seven, eight and nine from the wondrous Rainbow Magic series are brought together here. This is essential bedtime reading for excitable little girls, with its combination of magical characters and marvellous illustrations.

Beast Quest Series 1-3
Young boys will love following the thrilling adventures of young hero Tom as he fights his way through Avantia against various mighty foes, in all 18 books from series 1-3 of the Beast Quest novels. Just the right way for them to spend the rest of the holidays!

The What on Earth? Wallbook
If kids open this amazing history wallbook on Christmas day, it won’t be long until it goes up on the wall! The book features a timeline showing developments in history, giving young readers a detailed insight into how we came to live in today’s world as we know it.

The What on Earth? Wallbook

For Grandparents:

The Complete Inspector Morse Collection
If Grandad likes a good mystery, then this is the complete set of all fourteen of Colin Dexter’s Inspector Morse novels – the perfect present for any Morse fan. He will be transported direct into the heart of an Oxford seething with jealous secrets and criminal behaviour.

Agatha Raisin Collection
This collection brings together ten titles from M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series that will make the perfect present for grandparents, especially Nan. Cosy crime capers set in the Cotswolds, where would-be detective Agatha has to solve the mysteries behind a variety of murders and misdemeanours.

The winners of the Galaxy National Book Awards 2011, a celebration of the very finest British authors and publishing, were revealed at a star-studded awards ceremony at the Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge, London. The winners in each category were determined by the 750-strong Academy of the National Book Awards.

Galaxy National Book Awards

Waterstone’s UK Author of the Year Winner:

Alan Hollinghurst – The Stranger’s Child.

Outstanding Achievement Award Winner:

Jackie Collins

Popular Non-Fiction Book of the Year Winner:

How To Be A Woman.- Caitlin Moran

WHSmith Paperback of the Year Winner:

Room. – Emma Donoghue

Specsavers Popular Fiction Book of the Year Winner:

Dawn French -A Tiny Bit Marvellous.

The Telegraph Biography of the Year:

Charles Dickens: A Life.

Food & Drink Book of the Year Winner:

The Good Cook – Simon Hopkinson

Audiobook of the Year:

My Dear I Wanted to Tell You – Louisa Young

National Book Tokens Children’s Book of the Year Winner:

A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness

International Author of the Year Winner:

Jennifer Egan -A Visit from the Goon Squad

Galaxy New Writer of the Year Winner:

Sarah Winman – When God Was a Rabbit

Crime & Thriller of the Year Winner:

Before I Go To Sleep. – SJ Watson

Alan Hollinghurst

Jackie Collins

Caitlin Moran

Room

A Tiny Bit Marvellous

Before I Go To Sleep