It’s time. For the sixth yr working I convey you my final, straightforward, budget-adaptable Christmas reward. The one which feels considerate and private but takes seconds to purchase and is simple to wrap and low-cost to submit. Sure, pricey readers, it’s the preferred submit of the season: my Christmas Books ‘n Goodies!
Do you wish to seem like probably the most fashionable and thought of gift-giver, one that actually has their life collectively, but expend just about no vitality? Then that is the submit for you. A rigorously curated collection of the best books, matched artistically and with nice aptitude to the daintiest, prettiest bars of chocolate. Or probably the most cool and graphic slabs. All wrapped up in plain brown paper, tied with striped string, the ultimate package deal by no means fails to please.
The purpose of this book-and-choc pairing is that the recipient feels as if they’re being given one thing a bit of bit luxurious. So we’re speaking excessive finish books and high quality goodies however that’s not all: each the ebook cowl and the chocolate wrapping should be aesthetically pleasing and likewise matched collectively in a method that makes individuals suppose, “wow, this particular person has type”. These individuals are to not know that you simply ordered all the things on the web, sporting fleece polar bear pyjamas and a flammable dressing robe.
Earlier than I current you with this yr’s spectacular book-and-choc pairings, I ought to say that there’s a whole again catalogue of those annual posts. And so for those who’d like to have a look at dozens and dozens extra examples then click on the hyperlinks on the backside of this web page.
Proper, with out additional ado: the Final 2024 Books and Goodies Spherical-Up!
[AD-info: this post contains affiliate links, marked *.]
Buy Charbonnel & Walker Sea Salt Truffles*

I’m going to speak extra about All Fours by Miranda July subsequent week. The story is completely mad. I get the sensation it could possibly be a type of Marmite type of books, as a result of it’s so far-fetched and unhinged, however for those who submit (ooh err) and permit your self to have a very good sense of humour about all of it then it’s an absolute riot. I discovered myself laughing simply out of pure glee at how batshit loopy it was, in locations. And, on a extra severe word, it tackles some large midlife points head-on and fully unapologetically. Not one to offer to Auntie Maud whereas she’s having her hip substitute, maybe, or anybody you don’t know fairly nicely, as a result of it’s fairly…intimate…in locations, however this could possibly be among the best reads to reward a girlfriend that you simply’ll discover this yr. Or the worst. No matter, it’ll be a dialog starter…
Buy Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors*

4 sisters’ tales, one ebook. However there’s a tragic absence all through that binds the separate tales collectively. Poignant and touching however not too hair-clawingly depressing, it’s a very good winter vacation learn. Particularly for those who’re breaking right into a bar of the previous Ocelot Sea Salt on the identical time. Be nonetheless my chocolate-loving coronary heart.
(Ocelot’s very graphic packaging is ideal for my books and chocs pairings. You virtually can’t go flawed, they give the impression of being good with all the things!)
Buy Long Island by Colm Toibin*
I wrote about Colm Toibin’s Lengthy Island here, however to avoid wasting you having to open a brand new window, briefly I known as it “scrumptious” and mentioned this about it:
“I like anybody who can take lives which are similar to anybody else’s lives – seemingly pedestrian, with nothing that surprising or shocking happening – and make the shortage of something notably notable into the factor that’s fascinating. Not simply fascinating: valuable. Each little life and each a part of that life made so valuable, so price dissecting and giving thought to… it actually makes you cease and recognize how densely-packed every of us is with all of our reminiscences and feelings and hyperlinks to different individuals.”
What a gorgeously slow-paced, delectable little treasure-chest of a ebook. Onerous suggest.
Buy James by Percival Everett*

Oooph. I hate the phrase “laborious suggest” however I’m attempting to be extra down with the youngsters and so I’ll use it once more: Percival Everett’s James is totally excellent. Should you learn The Bushes and had been blown away by that then undertake the brace place since you’re about to begin one other masterpiece that you simply received’t have the ability to put down.
By no means have I wished a personality to outlive so badly – and never simply survive, I used to be keen Jim (an escaped slave who is ready on shopping for his spouse and youngster’s freedom) to rewrite historical past. Highly effective, past unhappy and with the capability to make you’re feeling determined, nauseating ranges of rage.
By the best way, you might discover (for those who’ve seen earlier books-n-chocs posts) that I’ve slipped a brand new chocolate bar in right here. I wished to discover a easy, graphic bar that didn’t price an absolute fortune and by God I’ve accomplished it. Waitrose No1 vary – a great deal of completely different variations. Approx two quid, relying on once you top off…

My different bargainous model of selection, as you realize, is Tony’s Chocolonely. I really like the large, daring graphics on these chunky slabs of choc. A great deal of colors, nice worth, I can’t think about a time once they received’t be included.

Intermezzo, one other nice learn for a slow-burn, wintery sort of week. My first Sally Rooney ebook and I’ll most positively be going again for extra – I really like these detailed examinations of individuals’s character and internal turbulence.
Buy Pana Organic Peanut Caramel

Teen angst and darkish goings-on, Rabbits by Hugo Rifkind makes you wish to rent a battered mini and relive your youth. Kind of.
The one ebook within the ebook pile that I’ve began however received’t end earlier than this submit goes reside. Disgrace on me! I used to be doing so nicely. Brotherless Evening by V.V. Ganeshananthan received this yr’s Ladies’s Prize for Fiction which is the way it caught my eye, it’s fantastically written to this point and with sensible consideration to historic element. I’ve a sense I’m in for a really emotional journey…
Buy I Who Have Never Known Men*

What a ebook! I Who Have By no means Identified Males by Jacqueline Harpman isn’t a brand new launch however has had one thing of a resurgence this yr and I’m so happy that it has. It’s wonderful. Totally mysterious but in addition bleak and barren. I don’t wish to say an excessive amount of about it, but it surely’s a implausible decide. Correct dialog starter!

It doesn’t need to all the time be about fiction on the subject of the Books ‘n Chocs reward. I do slightly like sending out cookbooks, too, particularly if I can pair them with a related spice or condiment or accent. Fairly partial – and stick with me right here – to pairing a cookbook with a pleasant tea towel. It packs flat, nonetheless, is light-weight and simply feels acceptable and enjoyable. I like M&S cotton ones which are available in a pack of 4 (£8 here*) and add a grand complete of two kilos to the reward value for those who cut up the pack down.
I couldn’t resist including on this Cherry Bomb chocolate bar, although – I lately found the net store Delli for area of interest and fascinating storecupboard buys and condiments and so forth. Went to city a bit on the previous confectionery..
Buy How Not to be a Supermodel here*
Buy Fatso Sweet Tart chocolate here

Indulge me, momentarily, if you’ll. As a result of I’ve waited many, a few years to get pleasure from this second: my very personal ebook featured in my very personal “books n chocs” submit. What an absolute thrill! I ask you on your consideration solely briefly, as a result of I’m coming again at you with an entire submit about How To not be a Supermodel subsequent week, when the hardback turns into broadly obtainable within the States, which is a HUGE factor to be taking place.
I even have some different chocolate pairings and a load to say about how a lot you’ll get pleasure from studying this ebook for those who haven’t accomplished so already. It might be my “decide of the yr” if that was allowable, which clearly it isn’t as a result of I’d seem like a proper previous berk if I selected my very own ebook, however you get the gist. I like it and I believe that you’ll like it. It has been making individuals chortle out loud at very inappropriate occasions and that’s the absolute best evaluation I might want for.
When you’ve got learn the ebook then you definately’ll recognize the selection of chocolate model…
I hope you’ve loved this yr’s providing – bear in mind to take a look at the hyperlink beneath for earlier editions and hundreds extra concepts!
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