My favourite Christmas book is The Last of the Spirits by Chris Priestley (Bloomsbury). It is a brilliant take on Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Priestley shows us the events again, but from we the view of two street urchins who are Ignorance and Want, the two wraith-like children revealed behind the robes of The Ghost of Christmas Present in Dickens' novel. It's beautifully written, intelligent and utterly fascinating.
Books to look out for this winter: Children's: Dragon Daughter, by Liz Flanagan (David Fickling Books); adult fiction: Middle England by Jonathan Coe (Penguin/Viking); adult non-fiction: The Value of Everything by Professor Mariana Mazzucato (Allen Lane) and Children's non-fiction: The Secret of The Egg by Micola Davies (Graffeg Books).
Yes we have lots of events in December. But let's focus on one: On 8th December we will have an evening's chaired discussion about dragons in literature and illustration, with author, Dr Liz Flanagan and illustrator, Jackie Morris. It will explore the folklore, politics, natural history and literary history of dragons.
To find more details of other events go to their Facebook page.