Hhave you considered going through Dark house this Christmas? Or fight The Complete Works of Shakespeare? Why not instead take a step back and read one of these books about books? From a monumental biography of the great Ian Fleming to the wonderfully intelligent writings of Hilary Mantel and the untold stories of some long-suffering literary wives, you’ll find the most captivating literary reads on our list. Or if you’re craving rhyming couplets, pick up one of our best poetry collections.
What is your favorite poem about death? It may be Tennyson’s In memory, the thunderous verses “the dull stupefying, numbing pain”. Perhaps you prefer something gentler –– Christina Rossetti’s softly and tenderly injunction: “If you forget me for a while…do not grieve.”
