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Greatest Christmas Present: Books and Chocolate 2023

It’s the Greatest Christmas Present: Books and Chocolate 2023 Version. I write this submit yearly and – regardless of at all times getting ready it at first of November – it by no means will get revealed till a few weeks earlier than Christmas. I kind of prefer it that manner – it’s my very personal Christmas custom and fairly in line with my very own festive timeline. As a result of we don’t begin interested by presents at our home till ten or so days earlier than Christmas and even then we simply are inclined to order all of it on-line! (I not often meet anybody else who has such a relaxed, last-minute method so do let me know for those who’re a kindred spirit – drop me a word within the feedback.)

That is the one Christmas purchasing information you really want. If you happen to’re after the most effective Christmas current however don’t have ridiculous quantities of money to spend then this ticks all the containers. As a result of think about for those who may purchase somebody the final word bespoke Christmas current – one thing that was considerate and seemed beautiful –  and produce it in for below twenty quid? A Christmas present that was easy to order, simple to wrap, low cost to submit and that made you – the giver – look discovered, cultured and – dare I say it – ever so barely debonair?

If you happen to’ve by no means achieved a books and goodies Christmas current earlier than you then’ll be so happy you learn this submit. You’ll be identified eternally, quietly, because the one who provides fashionable presents. And for those who’re doubtful as as to if this may work then take my birthday current from one among my oldest finest associates; I unwrapped it on the prepare residence from London and it was a easy pocket book with a phenomenal cowl and a bar of Pump Avenue chocolate. I used to be genuinely overjoyed. It was simply so stylish and beautiful.

So get caught in – there are only a couple of guidelines: for the “books and chocs” current to actually work, the pairing must be a) high quality and b) fashionable. This isn’t a slab of Galaxy and the newest throwaway romance ebook from the shelf subsequent to the tills on the Co-Op: we’re in search of literary gems with hanging, graphic or immensely photogenic covers after which equally engaging bars of chocolate.

There’s nothing improper with the slab of Galaxy, it’s simply not likely the vibe we’re going for right here. We’re making an attempt to create a Christmas current that appears and feels completely delectable, regardless of its humble contents. We’re making an attempt to present one thing that appears considerate, rigorously thought of and tailor-made to the recipient. We wish them to open the parcel and see how fairly all the pieces seems inside, how visually pleasing.

And if this all sounds an excessive amount of like laborious work then worry not: I’ve achieved the choosing for you. You possibly can both purchase the precise books-and-chocs mixtures beneath, or take inspiration from the pairings from earlier years:

Books and Chocs 2022

Books and Chocs 2021

Books and Chocs 2020

Books and Chocs 2019

I attempt to decide new releases in relation to the books, however typically the alternatives are simply the most effective books I’ve learn that 12 months no matter launch date. All of them have one thing in frequent, although; superb, pleasurable writing and lovely-looking jackets. Goodies with fairly sufficient packaging are harder to supply (and will be crazily costly); I’ve listed all of my favourites on the backside of the submit, together with the crow-pleasing finances choices.

Proper: with out additional ado, let’s get on with this 12 months’s Greatest Christmas Present: Books and Chocolate 2023.

(AD information: no paid or sponsored content material. Books and goodies all bought. Affiliate hyperlinks marked *.) 


Oh Sister by Jodie Chapman, £14.29 here* + Rococo Rose Milk Chocolate Bar, £2.95 here – Complete Spend: £17.24

I believe that that is my ebook of the 12 months; it was simply so fabulously written, with not a phrase misplaced and such sensible consideration to timing, that it may have been about paint drying and I’d have nonetheless loved it. It wasn’t about paint drying, although, it was about three completely different girls in various levels of leaving a non secular cult. So the subject material couldn’t have been extra fascinating. I couldn’t wait to get into mattress each evening to begin the place I’d left off…

Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder, £9.05 here* + Hip Oat Milk Chocolate, £2.00 here* – Complete Spend: £11.05.

If ever there was a ebook for the modern-day mom… That is wild. Fairly actually. A quick and livid learn that completely encapsulates what it’s to grow to be a mum and utterly lose your id. It’s punchy, daring and leaves your jaw hanging open for at the least the primary third. (Additionally, how properly does the duvet go together with the HiP chocolate? That is my favorite pairing!)

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead, £7.60 here* + Tony Chocolonely, £1.35 here* – Complete Spend: £8.95

I devoured Colson Whitehead’s Harlem Shuffle on my summer season holidays and instantly ordered the second from the trilogy, pictured beneath. It has the thrilling tempo and plot of against the law novel, however on the similar time it’s a rare character examine of an extraordinary man who’s making an attempt to remain on the best facet of the legislation. Which is simpler mentioned than achieved within the Harlem of the early sixties. Completely cracking – it was like studying a movie.

Criminal Manifesto by Colson Whitehead, £15.81 here* + Coco Black Forest Chocolate, £5 here* – Complete Spend: £20.81

Ouch, went over-budget by 81p right here however I promise you it’s value it – what a present! Whitehead’s genius in hefty hardback kind after which essentially the most delectable chocolate to take pleasure in while studying.

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray, £16.99 right here* + Pana Natural Golden Comb, £2.70 here – Complete Spend: £19.69

The Bee Sting is a ebook of brilliance. Set in Eire, it’s a hefty un-telling of a household’s story, unwinding darkish secrets and techniques and comedian twists because the novel progresses. It actually teaches you to not choose a ebook by its cowl (HA!) for need of a greater, much less time-worn phrase, as a result of the judgements you make about characters at first virtually at all times develop into improper.

I’ve paired this Booker Shortlist novel with Pana Natural’s best Golden Comb plant-based chocolate. I really like Pana – it’s squidgier than conventional chocolate, virtually like consuming ganache, however no much less satisfying.

Mr Loverman by Bernadine Evaristo, £9.19 here* + Coco Milk Chocolate, £5.49 at Selfridges here* – Complete Spend: £14.68

Learn this final 12 months, however I forgot to place it in. This has a stunning twist –  and it’s not on the finish of the novel, both. It is a completely heartwarming novel and the characters instantly reel you, sit you down proper in the course of the story and encompass you with their riotous noise. If you happen to liked Woman, Girl, Different you then’ll know the way vividly Bernadine Evaristo makes use of her phrases to color London in all ; it’s simply joyful.

Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang, £8.49 here* + Tony’s Chocolonely, £1.40 at Ocado – Complete Spend: £9.89

Truthfully? I didn’t love the final third of Yellowface however solely as a result of the primary two thirds had been so utterly mad. A novel a couple of lady who steals her finest good friend’s ebook and passes it off as her personal, it made me cringe so laborious in components that I truly thought my physique was going to show inside out. There are “cancellation” scenes and bits about social media that’ll give me nightmares for years.

Oh and you can’t – I repeat can not – go improper with Tony Chocolonely on this complete “books n chocs” recreation. It’s graphic, seems barely retro and funky and is absolutely tasty. And simple to pay money for (any grocery store) and comparatively cheap.

Hey Stunning by Ann Napolitano, £13.99 here* + Rococo Sea Salt Milk, £6.95 here – Complete Spend: £20.94

Oh for flip’s sake, I did once more – my maths is surprising! Simply over the road on my finances however once more, so value it. What a novel. An excellent, transferring, gently-written fictional tribute to the love 4 sisters have for each other and the way rapidly this love will be pulled aside. I discovered this very soothing, regardless of its fairly heavy emotional load. Completely a must-read of the 12 months.

Claire Keegan’s Foster, £7.45 here* + Rococo Salted Caramel Truffles, £9.95 here – Complete Spend: £17.40

Good grief this can be a handsome little bundle. Who wouldn’t be merely delighted to unwrap this? I’ve featured Claire Keegan earlier than; she’s formally grasp of the quick story. Studying them is like shaking a snowglobe and watching the flakes settle together with your nostril to the glass. None of them take lengthy to complete, however you’re feeling bereft once they do and the temptation to shake the globe and browse once more is sort of overwhelming. The little books make good stocking fillers.

Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris, £9.19 here* + Coco Chocolate, £5 here – Complete Spend: £14.19

A grim story of war-torn Sarajevo however lifted, during, by the hope and pleasure for lifetime of the principle character. There’s nothing dramatic or overblown about this novel – the horrors of battle are virtually underplayed – nevertheless it drives residence how simply one a part of the world will be struggling catastrophic circumstances whereas the remainder of the globe lives on.


That’s my shortlist for 2023. I hope that it provides you some good concepts – simply click on the hyperlinks in every pairing title to purchase on-line. Keep in mind you possibly can at all times reduce the worth of the chocolate to scale back whole spend – the Tony’s and HiP bars are simply obtainable and comparatively cheap – however if you wish to amp issues up a bit and make the current extra-special, you possibly can at all times whack in some fancy truffles. I at all times suppose that Charbonnel & Walker look extremely fairly.

Let me know which E-book & Choc pairing you just like the look of essentially the most. I believe that the Nightbitch with the lips chocolate is, fairly frankly, unbeatable.

[Little Women pictured in post is a special Puffin edition – it’s £9.99 and the best value for a pretty, very hefty hardback book. You can find it online here*.)

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