29 November 2022
It’s that time of year again! We’re hanging up the decorations, stock-piling the mince pies and wondering what on earth to gift all our friends and family. At Profile, we know that books are the easiest thing to wrap – as well as, of course, eye-opening windows onto our world, compelling stories to get lost in and beautiful objects to admire forever. So we’ve put together this list of the best non-fiction literary gifts you’ll find this festive season.
Whether you’re shopping for a history lover, linguist or trainspotter; a partner, best friend or a notoriously hard-to-buy-for nephew; we’ve got you covered with a brilliant range of entertaining and inspiring books from the likes of Adrian Chiles, Leah Thomas and Kate Summerscale.
Seasons greetings and happy reading!
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BOOKS FOR BIBLIOPHILES
The Library by Arthur der Weduwen and Andrew Pettegree
A Sunday Times non-fiction book of the year, this beautifully illustrated history charts the extraordinary story of the library from Alexandria to the age of Google, by way of princes, collectors, bookworms and thieves.
Remainders of the Day by Shaun Bythell
Wigtown bookshop owner Shaun Bythell returns with the latest entry in his bestselling diary series. Featuring Shaun’s signature dry wit, Remainders of the Day provides a behind-the-scenes look at running the largest second-hand bookshop in Scotland, complete with eccentric customers, interesting booksellers and beautiful books galore.
An Admirable Point by Florence Hazrat
This is the ideal stocking-filler for any language lover – an entertaining and informing history of the exclamation mark, from Beowulf to spam emails, ee cummings to neuroscience.
BOOKS FOR CHANGE-MAKERS
The Intersectional Environmentalist by Leah Thomas
Perfect for admirers of Greta Thunberg and Vanessa Nakate, climate activist Leah Thomas brings us a guide to instigating change for everyone and a pledge to work towards the empowerment of all people and the betterment of the planet. This is an indispensable primer for activists looking to create meaningful, inclusive and sustainable change.
The Good Drinker by Adrian Chiles
Join the inimitable Chiles as he sets out around Britain and plumbs his only slightly fuzzy memories of a lifetime in pubs to inspire you with the unsung pleasures of drinking in moderation.
A Home of One’s Own by Hashi Mohamed
Drawing on his own history of housing insecurity and his professional career as a planning barrister, Hashi Mohamed examines the myriad aspects of the housing crisis – from Right-to-Buy to Grenfell, slums and evictions to the Bank of Mum and Dad – and explores what needs to change.
BOOKS FOR CURIOUS READERS
The Book of Phobias and Manias by Kate Summerscale
From the bestselling author of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher comes a captivating A-Z compendium of our deepest fears and innermost obsessions. Kate Summerscale explores the historical and cultural contexts of our obsessive anxieties by way of arachnophobia, bibliomania and more.
Oddly Informative by Tom Standage
The perfect gift for trivia lovers, this wonderful collection of the world’s oddest and most mindboggling facts will amaze and delight in equal measure, offering headscratchers on plant-based milk and supermoons to the next Dalai Lama and what really happened at the storming of the Bastille.
The Magick of Matter by Felix Flicker
A wonderfully irreverent theoretical physics manual, The Magick of Matter is a must-read for popular science fans and sci-fi enthusiasts alike, covering everything from lasers that cut through solid metal, trains that hover in mid-air and crystals that light our home.
BOOKS FOR HISTORY BUFFS
Astonish Me! by Dominic Dromgoole
From the long-time artistic director of the Globe Theatre comes an adrenaline-charged rollercoaster through history’s seismic first nights, exploring how individual artists can change and shape the story of culture – and allow us to see ourselves in new ways.
Exposed by Caroline Vout
In this beautifully illustrated book, Professor of Classics at Cambridge Caroline Vout removes the Greek and Roman body from its pedestal and explores it in all its surprisingly human glory, from ancient cosmetics and contraception to early gym memberships.
A Brief History of Pasta by Luca Cesari
In A Brief History of Pasta, discover the humble origins of fettuccine Alfredo that lie in a back-street trattoria in Rome, how Genovese sauce became a Neapolitan staple and what conveyor belts have to do with serving spaghetti. Filled with mouth-watering recipes and engrossing tales, this is the story of Italy in ten dishes.
BOOKS FOR PASSIONATE READERS
Conversations from a Long Marriage by Jan Etherington
Read the scripts from the witty and heart-warming BBC Radio 4 sitcom Conversations from a Long Marriage, starring Joanna Lumley and Roger Allam. These conversations will resonate with couples of any age – but especially those who are still dancing in their kitchen, singing in the car and trying to keep the passion alive.
Born to Run 2 by Chris McDougall and Eric Orton
The follow-up to Chris McDougall’s hugely successful Born to Run, this is the ultimate training guide for all runners, teaching us exactly how to change our biomechanics, clean up our diets, heal our injuries, adapt to healthier footwear and prepare for our dream running challenge.
Train Teasers by Andrew Martin
After a present for a trainspotter? Look no further! This is the perfect quiz book for testing your transport knowledge, whilst doubling up as an eye-opening history of the British railway.