Christmas Gift Guide

A book gift guide! Click ‘Show More’ for links. xx

--

--

—

MY BOOKS:

—

THINGS MENTIONED:

--

WHO I AM

Hello, my name's Jen. I'm an award-winning poet and short story writer. My debut short story collection 'The Beginning of the World in the Middle of the Night' is published by Two Roads, and my children's books 'Franklin's Flying Bookshop,’ ‘Franklin and Luna Go To The Moon’ and ‘Franklin and Luna and the Book of Fairy Tales’ are published by Thames and Hudson. I'm also the author of the Sunday Times bestselling 'Weird Things Customers Say in Bookshops' series, 'The Bookshop Book,' 'The Hungry Ghost Festival’ and ‘The Girl Aquarium.’

—

Where to find me:

This video does not contain any sponsored content. Some of the links above are affiliate links.

[bluebell]

Franklyn flying book shop is on my Christmas list now . On principle .
Though I may be to old .

[myreadinglife]

Unbelievable! I am so sorry this ad thing has happened to you. It is outrageous.
I love your gift guides. Thanks!

[veliana]

Dear Jen,
I'm so sorry that you're going through this, and I also think you're doing the right thing by calling them out.
I am always looking for books for my mother because she simply flies through them and never has enough. She has been through some very difficult things so she doesn't like heavy and sad books (especially around themes like grief). She loves to travel, cook, take care of her garden and her two dogs (all animals actually, but she won't admit it)

[briar_hw]

Thanks for the lovely recommendations, Jen! I'm really sorry about what's happened to you with the advert; the things to do with sales are bad enough on their own, but for someone else to so shamelessly take something that you've put so much love and effort into for their own gain is such a cold and hollow thing to do. my baby cousin was a gifted a copy of Franklin for when she's old enough to read it, and her parents are enjoying it very much in the mean time, so if it makes you feel even a little bit better your story is very much spreading a lot of joy over here in our family! <3

[cherylclough]

I’m so sorry you are going through that horrid thievery with John Lewis! How awful. I feel as though someone has hurt Franklin and Luna-not to mention you! I love your Christmas gift guides. I’m going through your last year’s guide for ideas for some of my this year’s gifts...Those Japanese Vintage Classics books may go on my personal want list! I’ve been eyeing them...Also, the Sky Atlas. Thanks for the suggestions.

[CharlieBrookReads]

We all love and support you here but sending extra love anyhoo's.❤️ You are one of my favourite bookish people both for your beautiful books and all the other wonderful ways you contribute to our community ❤️ Will take note of these gorgeous recommendations, thank you ❤️😘❤️

[analena]

I just want to say that I love you, and I find your videos so interesting and helpful! Thank you for sharing and greetings from Lithuania! <3

[lizAl]

I hate any kind of conflict too but you are so right about being upset, your work was stolen! But it’s fine, now I’ll buy your books for every kid in my life for Christmas!

[valenciataylor]

I hope there is a positive resolution for you. Thank you for sharing a stressful topic. I always appreciate your book recs. I totally order the mystery advent calendar. Yayy!! Best to you Jen.

[bluebell]

Watching this , on the go . As always .
Remember when the day was nine till five .

[mariaalvarez]

I'm so excited about the vintage classics, my brother would love the Japanese classics. So now I have to chose a couple lol can't get them all

[booklover]

I have read both "A Single Thread" and "Remarkable Creatures" and really liked both of them .

[Beth-Louise-]

Two thoughts from this video.
1. Excellent gift suggestions, one idea from my mum and one for my sister, thank you!
2. I’m sorry for your experience with said advert, I read about it online and was very sorry. I work in a bookshop so I’ve ordered extra copies of all of all the Franklin and Luna books to have in over Christmas. I know that’s not the point of you mentioning it, but I thought it would be nice for the customers to have another (better) choice of dragon books.

[JanuarieTimewalker]

You’re great Jen, thank you for posting this video! All the best for the holidays🎄❤️

[CharlesHeathcote]

It's awful that John Lewis steals the ideas of imaginative folk in the hopes of increasing Christmas sales. I know there are many children out there who love Franklin and Luna, and this creative theft doesn't negate any of that. Still, I am utterly appalled. I hope your week improves and grows full of all the things you love.


I'm always appreciative of these Christmas gift guides. (Although, I've know bookish folk to buy for myself. I find quite a few ideas for gifts to myself.) Last year I got a book where there was a crime to solve every day of the year so the advent calendar is right up my street. All of these books are beautiful - I've been meaning to get a closer look at the Robert Macfarlane books for a good old while now. The Prudence book is stunning and I am in awe of the work that has gone into it.


This was brilliant. As aforementioned: I hope you have a bloomin' marvellous week, and that the weather isn't too inclement.

[nymeria]

Ugh, I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through this debacle. This recommendation video is great, though! I know that doesn't fix it, but I hope it helps a bit.


Dear Jen, I'm looking for a book for my husband's grandma. She loves long historical epics (she really liked "All the Light We Cannot See") but I haven't read any recently. Thanks!

[jocelyngordon]

I was hoping I could get a Christmas book recommendation from you for my sister. She loves reading and has a particular soft spot for fantastical/magical books (especially mermaids). She is a therapist in Los Angeles so her job takes up a lot of her mental space, so she prefers books that aren’t too difficult/something she doesn’t have to think too hard about when reading (if that makes sense). Thanks so much!

[BeatrixOnyx]

Sorry to hear about the plagiarism! I hope you're okay. I can only imagine how upsetting it is for you.

Thanks for the suggestions. I sent the link for the Advent Calendar to my soon-to-be mother-in-law, as I know that her husband would love it. Many great book recommendations I want to read.

[lizzie_scribhneoir]

So sorry to hear about the plagiarism! I'm still in shock. Wishing you all the strength in this difficult time. *sending virtual hug*
Thanks for all the gift ideas and thank you for signing and sending my bookish gift for my sister a few weeks ago. I got Franklin and Luna go to the Moon for her. =)

[sararichards]

I want all the books you’ve shown! Oh dear. And I want your children’s books as well.
Sorry about JL. I won’t be shopping there again.