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Gifts Inspired by the Brontë Sisters

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If you’ve read this blog for a while you probably know I have a slightly sacrilegious attitude to many of the classics which form the literary canon, but despite this I love Wuthering Heights,  Jane Eyre and all things Brontë. The sister’s lives could have been a novel in their own right, I’m pretty there isn’t a massive motion picture being promoted at the moment, given the success of biopics about Keats, Austen and Potter in recent years. Either way, their books are amazing, a blend of the Gothic and Romantic traditions which are perfect for reading on cold winter nights.

Consequently, I have decided that Brontë inspired items would make great Christmas presents for the Romantic (with a capital R of course…) in your life. Here’s a list of my favourite Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights themed gifts.

Jane Eyre Birdcage Necklace £12

Jane Eyre Birdcage Necklace £12

I love this necklace for the free thinking woman in your life. As my boss reminded me, much to my amusement, when we were selecting book covers in work the other day; bird cages are very on trend. This trinket adds weight to the motif with a well-chosen quotation on the presentation card, “I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.” £12, Notonthehighstreet.com

Jane Eyre Manuscript Journal

Jane Eyre Manuscript Journal

If you’re looking for a present for an aspiring writer, they may take inspiration from this mini journal which is embossed with Charlotte Brontë’s writing from the manuscript of Jane Eyre. It’s a bargain at £6.99 and would make a lovely diary.

Wuthering Heights Poster

I mentioned some time ago that I didn’t want so much as need this amazing paper cut style poster which is being sold to raise money for a charity which aims to fight illiteracy. So for about £40 you effectively have a gift that gives twice, a beautiful picture for the recipient and a better life for someone who learns to read.

Whatever our souls are made of decalIt may be because I’m decorating my house at the moment, but I’m a big fan of this Wuthering Heights decal which contains part of one of my favourite passages in literature. I think it’s great inspiration for a gift for a book worms, you could order a custom decal with a favourite passage from any book, or even a song lyric. I would put this up in a shot if my boyfriend would let me. Compromise leads to a very bland aesthetic.

Wuthering Heights Candle

If you want to experience being out on the winding, windy moor more fully while reading in the comfort of your own home (or bath) then this Wuthering Heights inspired Wild Heather Emily Brontë candle is just the ticket. Just be careful you don’t stir up any ghosts by leaving it alight in your window…

Jane Eyre Mouse Mat

Jane Eyre Mouse Mat

I don’t use a mouse mat in the house, but I think that this Jane Eyre mouse mat would be a great Secret Santa present for a bookworm or Jane Eyre fan, and I don’t think you need to be either to appreciate the sentiment that “Conventionality is not morality.”

Jane Eyre quotation mug

Jane Eyre quotation mug

Finally, if, like me, you suffer oppression every weekend from a partner who wants you to tidy up the house, arm yourself with this Jane Eyre mug. Sip your tea and hold the moral high ground while proudly displaying the quotation, “I don’t think, Sir, that you have a right to command me.” Best not use it on your boss though, they kind of do.

Fairytale Themed Presents

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The Crimson Fairy Book

The Crimson Fairy Book

Recently, instead of catching up on the news while I wait for the bus, I’ve been reminding myself how much I love reading classic fairy tales by reading the stories of Hans Christian Andersen and The Brothers Grimm as eBooks on my phone. The stories are still great, but the lack the magic of settling down by the fire with a beautifully illustrated book. In honour of Christmas Magic, I thought I would share my top fairytale inspired Christmas presents. I hope you find them helpful when shopping for gifts for fairytale lovers.

 

 

 

 

The Yellow Fairy Book

No list of gifts for lovers of fairy stories would be complete without the Folio Society Fairy Books. Colourful, luxurious and beautifully illustrated with introductions from key names in folklore studies, I think they would make the perfect Christmas present. I’m tempted to start a collection as well, but where to start? They’re all so beautiful. The Folio Fairy Books are quite expensive at £44.95 but have real heirloom potential.

 

 

toadstool tree decorationsThey don’t scream Christmas, but I love these toadstool tree decorations, £5.25 for two from Pipii, which could be used to add a little sparkle to the house all year round. They are made from glass though, so keep them out of the reach of tiny hands.

 

 

 

Fairytale BookendsThese fairy tale bookends, £25 notonthehighstreet,  are the perfect way to keep your bedtime stories organized and are pretty to boot. The paper cut style reminds me of the silhouette illustrations in a copy of Cinderella that my great aunt bought me for Christmas when I was very small. Great for a reader who is decorating their house. Hint, hint, hint, family…

 

 

Happily Ever After BookmarkAt £12, this Happily Ever After bookmark would make a really sweet secret santa present for a reader. A gift that will keep on giving any time they pick up their book, and which could easily be disguised in a Christmas card for a nice surprise.

 

 

Once Upon A Time Necklace

This Once Upon A Time storybook necklace, £44, is made from solid silver, and can be customized with a personal message especially for your fairytale fan. It also comes in a really cute little gift box, which is a bonus if you’re no good at wrapping presents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emergency Valentine’s Gifts- Books

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If you’ve forgotten Valentine’s Day, instead of the obligatory perfume, chocolates and flowers which reveal your faux pas why not give these bookish alternatives which offer a thrilling, and sometimes chilling, take on the love story.

 

Perfume- Perfume Patrick Suskind

The dark tale of a man who becomes obsessed with a quest to bottle the ultimate perfume by capturing the scent of young women. A compelling novel, this has the added kudos of being Kurt Cobain’s favourite novel.

 

Chocolates- Like Water for Chocolate Laura Esquivel

A brilliant work of magic realism, Like Water for Chocolate tells the story of the forbidden love between Tita and Pedro. Kept apart from Pedro, Tita pours her feelings into the food she cooks, which then begins to have very strange effects on those who eat it…

 

Flowers- Tulip Fever Deborah Moggach

In 17th century Amsterdam, Sophia is trapped in a loveless but comfortable marriage to a much older man when she falls in love with a passionate young artist. An engaging read with art, intrigue and tulipomania. A film is rumoured to be in the works for 2013 so appear cultured by giving this to your beloved before the bandwagon gets rolling!

More Bookish Presents

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As you may or may not have noticed, I’ve been a bit slow to the post this month. The main reason for this is Virgin Media. Apparently they’re updating our area to broadband which is twice as fast as light soon. Sadly, this won’t matter much if their service continues to be down two weeks in every four.

Anyway, that’s why I’ve been a bit late sharing some of the lovely bookish presents I received from my family and friends this Christmas which I thought any bookworms out there might like to see. They’re pretty cute!

Alice mug

 

My friend George got me this cute mug with Alice wrestling the flamingo to play croquet. I think it might be from Whittard. It’s now my tea mug of choice, out-ranking even my Wizard of Oz mug collection.

 

 

 

 

 

Books to Check Out Journal

Jon’s mother bought me this Books to Check Out journal. It’s really handy with columns for books to read (really handy for me because I can be a bit scatty when I’m busy) and sections for favourite passages and books lent. It also has a pocket in the back which will keep my scribblings safe until I get a chance to use them sensibly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Shred Apron

My mother bought me this apron which I guess is based on the Golden Shred marmalade campaigns of the 50s. It reminds me of the illustrations in Enid Blyton books like The Magic Faraway Tree that I read as a child. Or maybe even the Noddy books to some extent, though those were more my little sister’s thing.

 

 

 

Book and Biscuit Biscuit Tin

Perfectly matching the theme of my blog, my superhuman cousin turned up at with this amazing box of biscuits neatly wrapped just days before she went into hospital to have my gorgeous mini-cousin Cari. The biscuits quickly evaporated (how does that work, scientists?) but the box will live on forever at my desk. With helpful little snack in case I need energy to help me think.

 

 

Penguin Postcards

Last but not least were this bumper set of Penguin post cards from Jon’s sister. I’m a big fan of the Penguin look- a great design which is both classic and contemporary, they’re a publisher’s dream. I’ve been collecting some vintage look postcards for a while with a view to framing them and using them to decorate the walls. The fanned postcards are ones I’ve picked out from the set to use for this, and the rest I’ll use in my correspondence. Now to order frames. Where did I put that measuring tape?

Christmas Book Haul

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I mentioned here that I had planned my Christmas book presents for the boyfriend and the family. They have arrived and look so lovely that I had to show someone.

The Book Haul

My favourite has to be Audrey Niffenegger’s graphic novel The Night Bookmobile. It is beautifully illustrated, as you can see in the strory below, and manages to capture her haunting, lovely style in only a few pages. I loved it, and if my sister doesn’t then I will have it instead!

Cover View

Interior View

Some reviewers on Amazon slated this book because it isn’t a novel. Ah, Amazon, home of the well crafted review… I’m not sure that I’d want to trust the recommendation of someone who sees the words “Graphic Novel” and expects a wordy tome like The Time Traveller’s Wife. That might just be and my prejudices, but I suspect not.

Early Christmas Book Shopping- Spoilers for Family!

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It’s that time of year again. We haven’t even reached Halloween, but there is wrapping paper and tinsel in the shops. I annually bemoan the fact that I hate this cynical commercialism and the premature climax of the festive season which comes about as a result. By December 21st, I have something of a Christmas hangover induced by the incessant repetition of Christmas carol covers and Glitz-will and Schmaltz to all mankind. So I apologise for broaching the subject of Christmas this early.

But in the interests of spreading the financial cost of Christmas (as espoused by Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert) I am getting some of my shopping done early. Normally I wouldn’t worry too much; I don’t have to do a “full” Christmas- by which I mean dinner, kids and relatives descending, but I am saving for a house deposit in the unlikely event that there really is a housing crash which would bring a nice little terrace house within my budget… but I digress.

Christmas presents. I like to get the people on my Christmas list books. What if they don’t like to read? Well a. people (you know who you are)  persist in buying me perfume, bubble bath etc. when I have eczema and b. they are no friends of mine if they point-blank will not read on principle. Snobbish? Probably, but I don’t have time for pig-headed anti-intellectualism. Anyway, here are my key gift list members and the books I will be getting them. And I’m taking a risk because I haven’t read ANY of them!

If you are a sibling DO NOT read any further!

Father:  An obsessive compulsive reader, probably where I get it from.

I spotted Mr Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt. Everyone knows that Churchill was plagued by the black dog (his name for his depression). Mr Chartwell, a massively imposing black dog, as he pays court to Churchill and a young woman called Esther Hammerhans, bringing their very separate lives together for possibly very strange and dark purposes.

Older Sister: Likes to read the book of the moment.

Room by Emma Donoghue has been gaining a lot of media coverage this year. Shortlisted for the 2010 Booker Prize, Room is narrated by a very young boy who has been only ever known the small basement room in which he lives with his mother, the victim of a Josef Fritzl style criminal. The subject matter is horrific, but the critical acclaim is fantastic. It’s certainly one to talk about.

Older Brother: Devoted reader of my blog :-)

I read a short story in The Observer magazine the other weekend, which was kind of like a modern fable. You can read it here. It’s an extract from a book called Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Wicked Bestiary which seem pretty witty and amusing. Plus it draws on my brother’s teasing me about my obsession with rodents and any small creatures.

Little Sister: Chaotic Student

My little sister is currently in her second year at university and, like myself when I was in my second year at university, seems to be keen on stamping her identity on her surroundings. Photos on walls, fancy dress items displayed as modern art and bed linen which you intended to sum up your personality but ended up reflecting more on your budget… Anyway, she’s a fan of Audrey Niffennegger’s writing, and when I saw that she’s actually written a few picture books as well, I thought that The Night Bookmobile, a graphic novel, would be the perfect book to read and display.

Boyfriend: Bibliophobic Football Addict

Can We Play You Every Week?: A Journey to the Heart of All 92 Football League Clubs is a compromise which should keep him quiet when I’m trying to read my books.

Niece: Chubby Cheeked Ankle-Biter

When buying a book for a toddler you want to make it The Gruffalo, failing that, The Gruffalo Child. As it is, I’m pretty sure that my niece has both of these, so you can imagine my excitement when I found Stick Man from the team behind the mighty Gruffalo. Mr Stick lives with Mrs Stick and his little sticks in the family tree. However, he’s having a hard time getting back to them as he is ruthlessly chased by a dog, used as a building material by a broody bird and has a worryingly close encounter with a fire. I just hope it all turns out ok in the end…