Christmas presents

Each year my mum asks me for a shortlist of books that I would like for Christmas, and she selects a couple of them to buy for me. This year I got The People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks which I'm reading at the moment. It's a book about a book; the story of a rare Jewish prayer book and the book conservator who becomes fascinated by it's history. I'd also recommend having a read of her book March, which is related to the classic Little Women. I love the books by Louise May Alcott, and Brooks' book tells the story of the American Civil War from the point of view of the girls' father.

I was also bought one of Tracey Chevalier's newer titles, Burning Bright, though now that term has started and I've got the usual piles of kids' and teen books to read I'm not sure when I'll get round to reading it. Chevalier's website includes a list of what she's read herself over the past few years which is quite interesting.

The third book I received this Christmas was Cherry Cake and Ginger Beer, which I'd never heard of, but my mum knows me well and it's right up my street. It looks at food and drink in classic kids' books and includes a combination of story exerpts and recipes. I've already thought of several people I'd like to buy it for!