North London Reading Group

Discworld ales
Raise a toast to the late, great Sir Terry Pratchett with this selection of ales, magically crafted in the Unseen University’s Boathouse Brewery. This four pack contains Bledlow’s Silence (IPA, 5.5%), Modo’s Midden (golden ale, 4.5%), Bugarup Blonde (blonde ale, 4%) and Hix’s Darkside (stout, 7%).

Personalised Penguin mug
Loved one not quite got around to writing their magnum opus? Let them pretend they have with this personalised mug – a nifty take on those classic penguin covers – to which you can add any name and title. Perhaps if Morrissey had been sated with one last Christmas, we would have been spared his debut.

Dorian Grey portrait
“The reason I will not exhibit this picture is that I am afraid that I have shown in it the secret of my own soul”. This sinister frameable poster will allow the recipient to hang a shrouded portrait of Dorian Gray in their very own home. We bear no responsibility should they consequently descend into a life of sin and corruption, however.

Tea and book club
Bookishly’s tea and book club will deliver a vintage novel, gourmet tea and vintage stationery anywhere in the world each month. We love this but do reckon that a number of our members would prefer a version that substitutes the tea for gin. Please sort it out for next Christmas, Bookishly.

Scrabble lights
Amazingly, 53% of all UK homes have a Scrabble board. So it’s more likely than not that the recipient will love these genius Scrabble lights that they can personalise with 60 reusable stickers. Also a potentially useful gift for somebody who has difficulty getting a message across to their partner.

Personal library kit
Want to indulge in a bit of roleplay with your book-loving partner, but with something a little more classy than Ann Summers? This personal library kit from the British Library allows them to play librarian and keep track of their personal collections. And date stamp to remind borrowers when books are due for return.

I like big books tote bag
In 2015 we waved goodbye to free polythene bags. Give your loved one this little number and they will thank you that they can carry their groceries home in style. It slyly plays on ‘Sir’ Mix-a-Lot’s Grammy-winning feminist anthem Baby Got Back, which reminds us the 1990s weren’t all Twin Peaks and Nirvana.

Gimble Traveller
It can often be a challenge to read while you cook. With a stirring spoon in one hand, and a glass of wine in the other, how do you hold a book? That is a dilemma no longer thanks to this little invention which perfectly holds novels open hands free. It’s an ideal gift for older relatives, and costs under a fiver to boot.

Book necklace
Often literary inspired jewellery can be a tad twee. But not this one, which is made from reclaimed wood by Lucie Ellen in her East London garden studio. It can be worn out in Shoreditch and will attract admiring glances over the rims Brooklyn craft ales and vintage gin cocktails. Choose from one of eight colours.

Book cufflinks
And not forgetting the gents, how cool are these book cufflinks? Very. Like something from Jessie Burton’s The Minaturist, these are sure to light up the eyes of the men in your life. Made from recycled paper and leather and available in a range of suave colours including racing green and claret leather.