Well-filled stockings

OK, OK, I know that it's only November, but now that Hallowe'en's passed and Guy Fawkes is relegated back to a mere footnote in history, of course I'm going to begin worrying about what to fill my loved ones' stockings with...and a problem shared is a problem halved (or something).

Anyway, I (and you for that matter) could do a lot worse than the following darling bits of whimsey:

Joseph Galliano must have known he'd hit upon a winning idea when he came up with Dear Me , a rather addictive little number featuring all manner of celebs (including our v. own NW6 gliterati, Emma Thomspon and Stephen Fry) writing to their 16 year old selves. Some are wry, some sad and touching, some laugh-out-loud and some all three; be warned: once you begin reading, you might well not stop til the last page! Also included: a, ahem, fascinatingly mixed bunch of contributors (wherever else would you see Desmond Tutu and Corrie's Bet Lynch on the same list??): Joanna Lumley, Sir Elton John, Yoko Ono, Mark Gatiss and many more.

The Archers Miscellany put me in my place; I always thought that my Archers' knowledge was second to none. Foolish child! This little tome alerted me to the fact that Jolene Rodgers' given name is Doreen and that Nige's mama was actually a Jaon not a Julia. Now this is valuable information and there is almost certainly an Archers addict in your life who would appreciate this...no more facts right now: you'll have to buy the book!

I'm also determined to boost my family's chances should they ever bring 'Ask The Family' back to TV ...and, scoff if you like, but I've already nabbed a fair few of the Michael O'Mara hardback-ettes which dispense knowledge and wisdom across a range of subjects: grammar, history etc in the sort of bite-size chunks that we can all get something out of and which will fit perfectly into one's stocking (call me a thickie, but I didn't know that King Cnut's missus was called Elgiva or that Richard the Second was a major fashionista...and while this might be dull stuff for some it's majorly unique chat-up lines for others)

Honourable mentions: Joined-Up Thinking (Six degrees of trivia in a paperback); What Would Keith Richards Do (wise words and aphorisms from the guy who invented cock rock and purportedly snorted his dad's ashes); The Average Life of the Average Person (does what it says on the front really; loadsa weird facts about stuff you'll do before expiring and Barbara Cartland's Etiquette Handbook (one's stocking would simply not pass muster without this...and well worth the £6.99 for the ludicrous illustrations alone.

Suddenly Christmas shopping has lost its sting...and don't fret we'll bring you more recommednations before the big day...and please! mail us at info@welbooks.co.uk if you've some of your own...just keep it clean!