Devon


<p>We tapped Nigel, owner of the Muddy Award winning East Gate Bookshop in Totnes for his top picks this Yultetide. Just looking at the book covers is making us feel festive, and if you gift someone (or yourself) an<a href="https://east-gate-books.myshopify.com/collections/east-gate-bookshop-book-subscriptions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;<strong>East Gate Bookshop Book Subscription</strong></a> they will send that lucky person a brand-new book, hand-picked by the team and tailored to their tastes, over a time determined by you.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lost-spells-by-robert-macfarlane-and-jackie-morris-penguin-books-14-99-nbsp"><em><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-lost-spells-an-enchanting-beautiful-book-for-lovers-of-the-natural-world-robert-macfarlane/2349002?ean=9780241444641" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Lost Spells</a></em> by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris (Penguin Books, £14.99)&nbsp;</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="428" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/lost_spells.jpg" alt="The Lost Spells by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris " class="wp-image-62178" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/lost_spells.jpg 428w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/lost_spells-351x525.jpg 351w" sizes="(max-width: 428px) 100vw, 428px" /></figure>



<p>The prestigious talents of MacFarlane and Morris come together seamlessly, in this perfect gift for fans of nature, art and language.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-let-the-light-pour-in-by-lemn-sissay-canongate-books-12-99"><em><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/let-the-light-pour-in-lemn-sissay/7427751?ean=9781805301134" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Let the Light Pour In</a></em> by Lemn Sissay (Canongate Books, £12.99)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="396" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/let_light_in.jpg" alt="Let the Light Pour in by Lemn Sissay" class="wp-image-62180" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/let_light_in.jpg 396w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/let_light_in-325x525.jpg 325w" sizes="(max-width: 396px) 100vw, 396px" /></figure>



<p>Lemn composed a short, life affirming poem each morning and this pocket-sized collection, full of resilience, defiance, and joy is the result.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-almanac-a-seasonal-guide-to-2024-by-lia-leendertz-octopus-publishing-group-12-99"><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-almanac-a-seasonal-guide-to-2024-lia-leendertz/6296417?ean=9781856754644" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>The Almanac</em>: <em>A Seasonal Guide to 2024</em></a><em> </em>by Lia Leendertz (Octopus Publishing Group, £12.99)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="407" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/almanac.jpg" alt="The Almanac 2024 by Lia Leendertz" class="wp-image-62181" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/almanac.jpg 407w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/almanac-334x525.jpg 334w" sizes="(max-width: 407px) 100vw, 407px" /></figure>



<p>With information on sunrises and moon phases; gardening, wildlife and folklore; seasonal recipes and more; this indispensable reference will guide you through the year ahead.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-jane-austen-playing-cards-by-john-mullan-laurence-king-cards-12-99"><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/jane-austen-playing-cards-rediscover-5-regency-card-games-john-mullan/5721613?ean=9781913947187" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jane Austen Playing Cards</a> by John Mullan (Laurence King Cards, £12.99)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="500" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Austen_cards.jpg" alt="Jane Austen Playing Cards" class="wp-image-62182" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Austen_cards.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/Austen_cards-410x525.jpg 410w" sizes="(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px" /></figure>



<p>A set of playing cards featuring illustrations of Austen&#8217;s most famous characters. A must-have for fans of one of our greatest novelists and the perfect deck for a Christmas Day game of cards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-poem-for-every-winter-day-edited-by-allie-esiri-pan-macmillan-16-99"><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-poem-for-every-winter-day-allie-esiri/866136?ean=9781529045253"><em>A Poem for Every Winter</em> Day</a> Edited by Allie Esiri (Pan Macmillan, £16.99)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="399" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/winter_poem.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-62184" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/winter_poem.jpg 399w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/winter_poem-327x525.jpg 327w" sizes="(max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px" /></figure>



<p>The poetry of Cummings and Robert Burns, sits alongside that of Benjamin Zephaniah, Wendy Cope, Roger McGough and Jackie Kay in this enchanting collection that will keep you company for every day of winter.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-africana-by-lerato-umah-shaylor-harpercollins-22"><em><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/africana-lerato-umah-shaylor/6437037?ean=9780008458508" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Africana</a></em> by Lerato Umah-Shaylor (HarperCollins, £22)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="492" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/africana.jpg" alt="Africana by Learato Umah Shaylor" class="wp-image-62187" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/africana.jpg 492w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/africana-404x525.jpg 404w" sizes="(max-width: 492px) 100vw, 492px" /></figure>



<p>We are always on the lookout for a special cookbook offering something different. Lerato takes us out of winter across to the African continent, showcasing its vibrant and delicious cuisines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-antarctica-by-claire-keegan-faber-amp-faber-9-99"><em><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/antarctica-claire-keegan/2753043?ean=9780571382217" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Antarctica</a></em> by Claire Keegan (Faber &amp; Faber, £9.99)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="417" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/antartica.jpg" alt="Antarctica by Claire Keegan " class="wp-image-62189" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/antartica.jpg 417w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/antartica-342x525.jpg 342w" sizes="(max-width: 417px) 100vw, 417px" /></figure>



<p>Keegan can create people, places, and emotions with just a few perfectly pitched sentences. This is a remarkable collection of stories, illuminating human longing and fallibility in all its guises.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-christmas-appeal-by-janice-hallett-profile-books-12-99"><em><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-christmas-appeal-a-fantastic-festive-murder-mystery-from-the-bestselling-author-of-the-appeal-janice-hallett/7398771?ean=9781800817357" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Christmas Appeal</a></em> by Janice Hallett (Profile Books, £12.99)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="414" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/appeal.jpg" alt="The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett" class="wp-image-62190" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/appeal.jpg 414w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/appeal-340x525.jpg 340w" sizes="(max-width: 414px) 100vw, 414px" /></figure>



<p>The Fairway Players are busy rehearsing their festive pantomime, but there is also the matter of the dead body. ‘A perfect stocking filler from the much-loved Agatha Christie for 21st Century’ says <em>The Times</em>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-winter-spirits-ghostly-tales-for-frosty-nights-by-various-authors-little-brown-16-99"><em><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-winter-spirits-ghostly-tales-for-festive-nights-bridget-collins-imog/6899871?ean=9781408727584" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Winter Spirits: Ghostly Tales for Frosty Nights</a></em> by various authors (Little Brown, £16.99)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="397" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/winter_spirits.jpg" alt="The Winter Spirits " class="wp-image-62192" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/winter_spirits.jpg 397w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/winter_spirits-326x525.jpg 326w" sizes="(max-width: 397px) 100vw, 397px" /></figure>



<p>There is a centuries-old tradition of haunted tale at Christmas and these twelve stories &#8211; authored by some of today&#8217;s best writers of historical and gothic fiction do just that. So, curl up, light a candle and fall under the spell of these macabre and chilling tales.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-worried-whippet-a-book-of-bravery-by-jess-bolton-harpercollins-10-99"><em><a href="https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/worried-whippet-inspiration-to-be-brave-jess-bolton/7352552?ean=9781400242122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Worried Whippet: A Book of Bravery</a></em> by Jess Bolton (HarperCollins, £10.99)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="469" height="640" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/worried_whippet.jpg" alt="Worried Whippet by Jess Bolton " class="wp-image-62193" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/worried_whippet.jpg 469w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/12/worried_whippet-385x525.jpg 385w" sizes="(max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px" /></figure>



<p>For adults and kids struggling with anxiety; this book inspires you to take a cue from one anxious little dog, to muster up your courage, and step out into the world with hope.</p>



<p><strong><em>Recommendations by <a href="https://www.eastgatebookshop.co.uk/">The East Gate Bookshop</a>, Totnes </em></strong></p>


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