Izzy turns nine on Friday. We asked her repeatedly for gift ideas, but all she could come up with was books, books and more books. Fine by me.
Specifically, she asked for J. R. R Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings. I was thrilled to discover these beautiful clothbound editions {here, here and here} while browsing online. Definitely something to be treasured forever. 
The joy I felt upon purchasing these reminded me just how big a weakness I have for beautiful books. While vintage literature will always hold a place in my heart, I also find it hard to resist the stunning contemporary editions that litter the shelves of my local book store.
Here are a few favourites worthy of a place in any home library…
I’d love to get my hands on this pretty edition of Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfield. It would make the perfect gift for anyone with a passion for dance. As it stands, I own a vintage copy from my childhood and this attractive hardback edition.
We gave this beautiful copy of The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett to Izzy on our wedding day and used the incredible illustrations by Lauren Child to adorn the birthday cake at her story book party last year.
Penguin’s Clothbound Classics are a permanent feature on my literary wish list. I’d happily receive any title from this range, but I think Vanity Fair and Alice in Wonderland are particularly pretty. All 31 titles will set you back just under £500. A girl can dream, hey?
I have a similar weakness for the sumptuous series of F. Scott Fizgerald hardbacks designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith to mark the 70th anniversary of the author’s death. I keep my copy of Flappers and Philosophers on my bedside table. It is a thing of beauty.
I find Penguin’s Great Food Series equally alluring and would quite happily make a feature of the colourful cover art in my kitchen. The fact the collection features some of the finest food writing from the last 400 years is merely an added bonus. 
While we’re on the subject of food writing, it would be remiss of me to overlook the forthcoming collection of covetable new editions of Nigella Lawson’s bestselling cookery books. Nigella Express and How To Be A Domestic Goddess are due for release in April 2014, with further titles set to launch later this year. I fear I may have to repurchase them all, because they’re not only beautiful, but, well, it’s Nigella.
Do you share my passion for beautiful books? Are there any titles you think I should rush out and buy?
Love Audrey xxx
oh i am an absolute sucker for a nice book cover! if there’s a book i want and can find with a lovely cover, i’ll always go with that instead of a rubbish and/or super basic one.
We’re literary kindred spirits then!
xxx
I love the illustrations in old children’s books -I have a collection of the Enid Blyton adventure series and famous five.(at present I’m trying to do a print transfer of George in her sailing boat -no success so far) Some of the childrens books of the sixties and seventies published by Oxford had wonderful illustrations, eg by Victor G Ambrus. Mme L A, I wonder if you’ve seen the site called Girls Gone By, they republish old childrens books and use the original dust jackets -they are in the UK. I still love Violet Needham’s books, that they have republished-The Black Riders, is the best. Lucky Izzy with all these wonderful books for which she is just the right age. I loved Noel Streatfield’s book, The Painted Garden, which was a new version of The Secret Garden.Monica Edwards was/is a favourite too.Tho you may not want to foster a passion for ponies.
I love that Ballet Shoes cover – the Shoes series is one of my all time favourites! But I think I just fell completely in love with the Fitzgerald series, they are absolutely gorgeous. I have The Beautiful & The Damned awaiting me on my kindle but I think I’d be much more inclined to read a gorgeous copy like that!
Bxx