Books to read over Christmas
Giving or receiving a book at Christmas is always special. Either you’ve gifted a book you know someone will love, or have received a new story that could expand your mind from the first page to the last.
We love books at take good care. They provide an amazing portal into the imagination, get our brains firing, and help with mental wellbeing. In fact, being able to contemplate things that aren’t actually happening – such as the storyline of a good novel – can contribute to a reduction in anxiety.
Even the act of folding a page can trigger relaxation hormones and help us unwind after a stressful day at work or with the family. Indeed, that’s one of the reasons why we’re turning back to paper.
And with Christmas just around the corner, what better time is there to give someone a good book? With that in mind, here are the best books for Christmas we think your friends and family will love over the festive period.
Best books for Christmas
Our list of best books for Christmas gifts aren’t actually about Christmas. Instead, they’re about mental and bodily wellbeing, relationships and personal growth. We’ve recommended them so you and your loved ones can feel better about yourselves heading into 2023.
And remember, sometimes a book can be the first step to improved wellbeing even if it’s not about self improvement. Simply letting the imagination run wild, forgetting about the stresses and strains of everyday life, and relaxing into a good book can be the starting point you need.
The Vanishing Half
Let’s start with an engrossing novel. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett is about near-identical twin sisters who grow up to experience wildly different events in their lives.
The book addresses everything: their families, their communities, their racial identities. It’s a Christmas page turner that will likely be finished long before New Year’s Eve!
Order The Vanishing Half in paperback for £6 at take good care
The Weekend
Want a gripping read to keep you engrossed while the kids are playing with their new Christmas games and the grandparents are dozing in front of the TV?
Well, The Weekend by Charlotte Wood is the story of four friends, and what happens when one of them passes away. It’s another book to keep you reading in the days after Christmas… or perhaps you’ll finish it before the turkey’s even cold!
Order The Weekend in paperback for £6 at take good care
The Comfort Book
If you’re in search of some calming stories around what it means to be comfortable in the modern world, then The Comfort Book is right for you.
Matt Haig’s book details the life lessons we only learn when we’re at our lowest. We never think about food more than when we’re hungry; or warmth when we’re cold. This is the book everyone needs to read to fully appreciate life as we live it.
Order The Comfort Book for £9 at take good care
Man Down: A Guide for Men on Mental Health
Men’s mental wellbeing has come a long way in the last few years but some men still struggle to stay in tune with their emotions. That’s why books like Charlie Hoare’s Man Down are so important.
Man Down shows men that they’re not alone in how they feel, and why anxieties and worries shouldn’t be left to stomach. The ideal gift for young and middle-aged men struggling with emotions, Man Down could be the book that gets them talking more openly.
Order Man Down for £9 at take good care
Energy
This hardback edition of Oliver Luke Delorie’s inspiration book could be your guide to better mental and physical wellbeing. Often we feel tired because we’re stressed and overworked, but also because we don’t do enough exercise or eat the right things.
Energy is the book that helps overcome these issues. There are 50 easy and instant exercises that promote daily vitality and inner strength, so you can be better at what you do. If you or someone you know is planning a New Year’s Resolution, then Energy is the step they should take to fulfilling it.
Order Energy in hardback for £7 at take good care
Much love
+ all of the takegoodcare. team
Take Good Care (TGC) is a well-being lifestyle brand that helps you to focus on you! Self-care is an important process that enables you to replenish your mental and physical resources so that you can keep on giving to others and yourself. We have carefully sourced and developed a range of quality products and informative articles to aid your well-being journey.
Any information provided by us is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. We always recommend referring your health queries to a qualified medical practitioner.
More Articles
take good care in Lewes: Our journey so far
It was back in the spring that Barbara – our founder here at take good care – took the decision to leave Eastbourne behind and set up her permanent eco shop in Lewes. The Needlemakers has quickly become a [...]
Care For The Carers discount on Thursday
take good care is giving back to carers in Sussex on Thursday with a 10% discount for all card holders Here at take good care we know how hard it is to care for loved ones when we also [...]
The Ripple Effect of Kindness
Hello everyone, it's Barbara here. I wanted to talk today about the Ripple Effect of Kindness. It's the idea that if you do something good then good things come from it. This happened to me the other day in [...]