My top five books for Christmas

Posted on 2 December 2011

Here are my top five books for summer and Christmas that I’m hoping to find in my stocking.


1. The Best of Getaway Gallery

The Best of Getaway Gallery is a coffee-table book which won’t collect dust. It’s a selection of amazing wildlife, landscape and portrait images, taken by our readers, that capture the essence of Africa. Well-known photographer, Roger de la Harpe, says, ‘One would normally say a book of this quality is a page-turner, but this one is not. The wonderful images make you linger.’

R275

To order a copy of The Best of Getaway Gallery, contact Getaway on tel 021-530-3116, email [email protected],  www.getaway.co.za

2. The Invention of Hugo Cabret

by Brian Selznick

Perfect for getting the kids reading, this multi-genre book has inspired a movie that will be released in South Africa in February 2012. It tells the story of Hugo Cabret: orphan, clock keeper, and thief; he lives in a Paris train station where his survival depends on keeping his secrets and anonymity. According to the author this book “…is a 550 page novel in words and pictures. But unlike most novels, the images in my new book don’t just illustrate the story; they help tell it.”

R222 (Price online from Exclusive Books)

3. At Home: A Short History of Private Life

by Bill Bryson

A history of domestic life written with Bryson’s signature wit and humour. The book covers topics of the commerce, architecture, technology and geography described by Bryson as he takes you on a tour of his own home. As he moves from room to room, he uses each as a starting off point to take the reader through the vast history behind all the aspects of the home we take for granted.

R121 Buy online here

4. The Daily Show with Jon Stewart Presents Earth (The Book) – A Visitor’s Guide to the Human Race

by Jon Stewart

Written for aliens who may visit the Earth in the future, after mankind is extinct, this is a funny and informative book from The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart that sums up our history irreverently by answering all the important questions: what we looked like; what we accomplished; what were our achievements in society, government, religion, science and culture? A must-have for any fan of Jon Stewart.

R262 Buy online here

5. The Grand Design

by Stephen Hawking, Leonard Mlodinow

In his first major work in almost a decade Professor Hawking and renowned science writer Leonard Mlodinow have drawn on forty years of Hawking’s own research and a recent series of extraordinary astronomical observations and theoretical breakthroughs to reveal an original and controversial theory. A marvelously concise book with new answers to the ultimate questions of life.

R191 Buy online here






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