All your gift giving problems solved

Problem uncle? Sister who has everything? Grandad who doesn't read? Gen Z niece who doesn't talk? Trust me, there's a book for that

I know this pic is quite generic but it makes me feel all glowy and festive. Photo by Valentin Antonini on Unsplash

The granddad who only watches sport and action movies 
Who doesn’t have one of these? (Or a dad? Or an uncle?) I’m sorry if I’m generalising or stereotyping or both, but in my experience these sock-recipients are, nine times out of ten, men. But it doesn’t have to be socks. You can’t go too far wrong with a meaty detective novel or a pulsing thriller. Go for a crime series like Ian Rankin’s Rebus books (start with the most recent A Heart Full Of Headstones or be really brave and buy a bumper box-set and start them from the beginning) or Ann Cleeves Shetland series, featuring Jimmy Perez. Alternatively opt for a compelling one-off like Robert Harris’ 17th Century thriller Act of Oblivion, The Year of the Locust by Terry (I Am Pilgrim) Hayes or the new Jack Reacher (does it even have a title? Does it matter?!) by Lee Child and his brother Andrew. If you know you’re on a hiding to nothing with thrillers. How about The Rest is History: history’s most curious questions answered, the book of the hit podcast, or Scattershot: life, music, Elton & me by Bernie Taupin. Or there’s always Billy Connolly. This year’s offering is Rambling Man. Don’t look to me for sports book recommendations though because I can guarantee you know your gifting blackhole better than I do.

The daughter-in-law who doesn’t have time to read
We’ve all got one of these. Or a sister. Or a friend. Basically it’s that woman who “used to love books” but “who has the time any more?” And when she does pick one up, she falls asleep after a few pages and has to start the chapter again the next night. I have a friend who’s been reading the same chapter for most of this year. Enter the short story, essay or poetry collection. Something that’s easy to dip in and out of before crashing out. There’s a reason both short stories and poetry are having a bit of a moment and it’s that time and attention poverty…