British Culture make the perfect Christmas present
By Gabrielle Pantera
It’s holiday time and that means contemplating what to give friends and family. The following gift ideas are based on popular TV shows ideal for giving…or maybe keeping for yourself.
For Fans of Downton Abbey…
The Wit and Wisdom of Downton Abbey Hardcover by Jessica Fellowes
Jessica Fellowes (neice of Downton creator Julian Fellowes) has taken some wonderful lines from this iconic series and collected them in this lovely little book. The zingy one-liners by the Dowager Countess and the dry comebacks from Mary, they are all here.. Hardcover: 128 pages Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin (October 13, 2015) Language: English ISBN: 9781250093608 $15.99
Downton Abbey Script Book Season 3 Paperback by Julian Fellowes
The full script of season three, including previously unseen dialogue and drama and two 8-page color photo inserts. Paperback, 576 pages Publisher, William Morrow Paperbacks, Original edition (December 29, 2015) Language English, ISBN: 9780062241375 $22.99
Downton Abbey – A Celebration: The Official Companion to All Six Seasons
The Downton Abbey saga starts in 1912. By the last season, which premieres in the U.S. on January 3rd, 2016, it’s 1925. Get one last look into the lives of the Crawley family as Jessica Fellowes takes us through the lives and loves, triumphs and tragedies of those above stairs and below. Hardcover: 320 pages Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (November 10, 2015) Language: English ISBN: 9781250091550 $29.99
Similar to Downton Abbey…
Rutherford Park: A Novel
By Elizabeth Cooke. In the genre of Downton Abbey, Rutherford Park has been home to the Cavendish family for almost 500 years. The date is now 1914 there are still servants and a code of conduct for the servants and the lords and ladies of the manor. Lady Octavia Cavendish and her husband William have obligations to the estate and their tenants. They have a son Harry who wants to live his own life and not deal with the responsibilities. There is scandal, war and life changing moments for the residents of Rutherford Park. This is the first of a three book series. Paperback by Elizabeth Cooke. Paperback: 336 pages Publisher: Berkley (July 2, 2013) Language: English ISBN: 9780425262580 $16.00
For the Sherlock Holmes fan…
Investigating Sherlock: An Unofficial Guide Paperback
The ultimate guide to the great detective. Nikki Stafford examines each episode of the BBC version of Sherlock staring Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman who stepped into the iconic roles in 2010. Stafford explores character development and catalogs every subtle reference to the original stories. Includes biographies of Cumberbatch, Freeman and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Paperback: 240 pages, Publisher: ECW Press (September 15, 2015), Language: English ISBN: 9781770412620 $18.95
Sherlock Holmes: The Novels
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with introduction by Michael Dirda. All of the original Sherlock stories. Penguin Classics Deluxe Edition. Paperback. Nov 24, 2015. 608 Pages. ISBN 9780143107132 $25.00
Perfect to unwind: Coloring Book for adults…
Sherlock: The Mind Palace: A Coloring Book Adventure
The first official coloring book from the hit BBC series. More than fifty intricate scenes and cast images from the show by artist Mike Collins. Contains classic scenes and clues from each episode hidden within the original black and white illustrations. Only by completing the scene can they be found. Start coloring to find the hidden secrets. Paperback, November 3, 2015, Series: Sherlock, Paperback: 80 pages, Publisher: Harper Design; Clr Csm edition (November 3, 2015), Language: English, ISBN: 9780062458377 $14.99
The Official Outlander Coloring Book
By Diana Gabaldon
For the Outlander fan, this coloring book features forty-five all-new illustrations. You get to color the lush green of the Scottish Highlands, the red coats of the British soldiers and the different colors in a tartan kilt. Features natural landscapes, Claire’s medicinal herbs, clothing, weapons, and armor. Illustrated by Juan Alarcón, Yvonne Gilbert, Craig Phillips, Jon Proctor, Tomislav Tomić, and Rebecca Zomchek. The Official Outlander Coloring Book by Diana Gabaldon
Paperback, Published by Bantam, Oct 27, 2015 | 96 Pages ISBN 9780399177538 $16.95
Books with holiday themes…
Christmas Wish Come True: All I Want For Christmas / Dreaming of a White Wedding / Christmas Every Day Three Christmas Romances by Gina Rochelle, Misty Shaw and Jaime Admans. 410 pages. Publisher: Carina. Language: English ASIN: B016HLV54U $7.99
Christmas Wish Come True
By Gina Rochelle. Ditching her faithless fiancé, schoolteacher Isabella plans to spend the holidays alone. But when she unintentionally inspires a young pupil to make an impossible wish, she joins forces with his (totally gorgeous) uncle to put things right. Can two wishes come true this Christmas?
Dreaming of a White Wedding
By Misty Shaw. When Scarlet discovers her husband-to-be in a passionate clinch with her bridesmaid, she calls off her Valentine’s wedding and runs away to London. When her sister cries for her help, she can’t refuse. It means coming face-to-face with her ex.
Christmas Every Day
By Jaimie Admans. Emma loves bumping into dog walker, Nick, every evening. When he becomes injured she takes over his job and his dog. Emma stopped believing in Santa years ago, but this Christmas her world is about to be turned upside down.
The Duke and Miss Christmas
By Amelia Grey. Crispin, the Duke of Hurst, has never met a woman he couldn’t handle. That is, until he’s hit over the head with a basketful of mistletoe by a young lady who has her own ideas. Miss Gwen Prim is determined to resist the duke, but finds her resolve melting when she’s near him. St. Martin’s Press. Pub Date Oct 13, 2015. Ebook. ISBN: 9781250085153 $1.99
Christmas at the Vicarage
By Rebecca Boxall. Spanning three decades of family life, Christmas at the Vicarage is a warm, feel-good story that examines what it means to love and to lose…and try again. Rosamunde experienced first love and heartbreak when she lived at the vicarage in the pretty coastal village Potter’s Cove. She moved away and now it’s time to go home. Rosamunde’s return at Christmas has heartwarming reunions with friends, family and her father, the vicar. Can she trust again? Lake Union Publishing Women’s Fiction, General Fiction (Adult) Paperback: 226 pages Lake Union Publishing (November 17, 2015). English ISBN: 9781503948402 $14.95
Bella’s Christmas Bake Off
By Sue Watson. Bella Bradley is the queen of television baking. Her Christmas specials top the ratings. Her marriage to Peter “Silver Fox” Bradley seems a Hollywood romance. Amy Lane, Bella’s best friend from school, hasn’t had the same luck as Bella. Amy’s watched Bella’s rise to fame fondly, although is puzzled as Bella was always a terrible cook. Bella’s latest Christmas cookbook seems familiar to Amy. The recipes are her mother’s. Amy wins a competition and will appear on Bella’s TV show. Paperback: 314 pages Publisher: Bookouture (October 20, 2015) Language: English ISBN: 9781910751619 $11.99
Audio books…
Pride and Prejudice
By Jane Austen, narrated by Rosamund Pike, who played the role of Jane Bennett in the film Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley. Pride and Prejudice was first published in 1813. Audible. Download at audible.com/rosamundpike $14.95
Blu-ray or DVD…
The final set of the much loved drama about a wartime British detective. This DVD contains a featurette about the truth behind the fiction for each episode (50 min.), A Day in the Life of Foyle’s War (25 min.), an interview with John Mahoney (20 min.), and Back in Time with Foyle’s War (26 min.) Episodes: High Castle – a translator for the Nuremberg trials is killed, Trespass – the son of a prominent Jewish man is assaulted, Elise – an assassination attempt on Hilda Pierce. $49.99, on sale for $29.99.
One of Britain’s BBC4 top-rated TV comedy series. Friends and members of the Danebury Metal Detectors Club, Andy (Mackenzie Crook) and Lance (Toby Jones) spend their days searching the Essex countryside, dreaming of finding a fortune. The two know just how to get on each other’s nerves. Six episodes, three hours, two DVDs, behind-the-scenes featurette. $39.99
Manchester cabbie Vince McKee (David Morrissey) is bored. He agrees to be the driver for a shady gang leader (Colm Meaney). Vince loves the danger, but may pay a heavy price. Three episodes, three hrs, two DVDs, SDH. $39.99
Whether it’s a coloring book, novel, non-fiction, audio book, or Blu-ray/DVD, British culture makes for great gifts. Have a fabulous holiday season!
