The best 2025 titles to buy for book lovers

It’s tricky, buying books as presents, but here are 10 great choices from this year’s crop, with something for almost everyone — from the big beasts of contemporary fiction to engaging biography and compelling history.

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Culture

King and Queen lead tributes to playwright Sir Tom Stoppard after he dies aged 88

King and Queen lead tributes to playwright Sir Tom Stoppard after he dies aged 88

I’m A Celebrity’s Aitch admits he’s ‘livid’ after huge camp shake-up

I’m A Celebrity’s Aitch admits he’s ‘livid’ after huge camp shake-up

I’m A Celeb’s Aitch opens up on his sister’s Down’s syndrome

I’m A Celeb’s Aitch opens up on his sister’s Down’s syndrome

The Wiggles issue statement after appearing in Ecstasy music video

The Wiggles issue statement after appearing in Ecstasy music video

The Language of Tom Stoppard, Ablaze With Energy and Urgency

The Language of Tom Stoppard, Ablaze With Energy and Urgency

King and Queen pay tribute to ‘dear friend’ Sir Tom Stoppard

Evening Standard

King and Queen pay tribute to ‘dear friend’ Sir Tom Stoppard

Strictly viewers beg BBC to take action after Alex Kingston winces in pain after injury

Strictly viewers beg BBC to take action after Alex Kingston winces in pain after injury

Strictly 2025 leaderboard: Scores from week 10 of the competition

Strictly 2025 leaderboard: Scores from week 10 of the competition

Strictly Come Dancing’s chaotic Instant Dance challenge deserves to be a permanent fixture

Strictly Come Dancing’s chaotic Instant Dance challenge deserves to be a permanent fixture

Strictly Come Dancing crowns first ever winners of Instant Dance challenge

Strictly Come Dancing crowns first ever winners of Instant Dance challenge

Sir Tom Stoppard obituary: He both entertained and fought oppression with his pen

Evening Standard

Sir Tom Stoppard obituary: He both entertained and fought oppression with his pen

Award-winning playwright Sir Tom Stoppard dies aged 88

Evening Standard

Award-winning playwright Sir Tom Stoppard dies aged 88

I’m A Celebrity’s Alex Scott shares secret camp tension from ‘national treasure’s’ toilet habit

I’m A Celebrity’s Alex Scott shares secret camp tension from ‘national treasure’s’ toilet habit

Strictly Come Dancing’s Balvinder Sopal praised for making dig at her dance-off track record

Strictly Come Dancing’s Balvinder Sopal praised for making dig at her dance-off track record

Award-winning playwright Sir Tom Stoppard dies aged 88

Evening Standard

Award-winning playwright Sir Tom Stoppard dies aged 88

Playwright Sir Tom Stoppard dies at 88

Playwright Sir Tom Stoppard dies at 88

Sir Tom Stoppard: Witty and playful writer who took ideas seriously

Sir Tom Stoppard: Witty and playful writer who took ideas seriously

Katherine Ryan shares how becoming a new mother will shape her family’s Christmas

Katherine Ryan shares how becoming a new mother will shape her family’s Christmas

Tom Stoppard death: Oscar and Tony winning playwright dies aged 88

Tom Stoppard death: Oscar and Tony winning playwright dies aged 88

Sir Tom Stoppard obituary: Iconic playwright lit up the screen with his humour and wit

Sir Tom Stoppard obituary: Iconic playwright lit up the screen with his humour and wit

'Wait Wait' for November 29, 2025: With Not My Job guests Paul Giamatti, Laufey, and more!

'Wait Wait' for November 29, 2025: With Not My Job guests Paul Giamatti, Laufey, and more!

Acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard dies at 88

Acclaimed playwright Tom Stoppard dies at 88

Tom Stoppard, Award-Winning Playwright of Witty Drama, Dies at 88

Tom Stoppard, Award-Winning Playwright of Witty Drama, Dies at 88

Shakespeare in Love screenwriter and playwright Sir Tom Stoppard dies aged 88

Shakespeare in Love screenwriter and playwright Sir Tom Stoppard dies aged 88

The Wiggles issue statement after controversy over ‘ecstasy’ song video

The Wiggles issue statement after controversy over ‘ecstasy’ song video

Strictly’s Lewis Cope fell asleep during rehearsal with Katya Jones

Strictly’s Lewis Cope fell asleep during rehearsal with Katya Jones

Strictly’s Balvinder Sopal on how Motsi Mabuse’s support helped her bounce back from dance-offs

Strictly’s Balvinder Sopal on how Motsi Mabuse’s support helped her bounce back from dance-offs

Netflix wins Christmas TV crown with £15bn budget dwarfing BBC and ITV

Netflix wins Christmas TV crown with £15bn budget dwarfing BBC and ITV

Film hailed as ‘iconic’ now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video

Film hailed as ‘iconic’ now available to stream on Amazon Prime Video

‘The best children’s movie of all time’ arrives on Amazon Prime

‘The best children’s movie of all time’ arrives on Amazon Prime

My ultimate ranking of Netflix’s newest and cheesiest Christmas movies

My ultimate ranking of Netflix’s newest and cheesiest Christmas movies

Michael Douglas recalls having to ‘disappoint’ dad Kirk with awkward casting situation

Michael Douglas recalls having to ‘disappoint’ dad Kirk with awkward casting situation

Strictly star sets record straight on injury after exit fears

Strictly star sets record straight on injury after exit fears

Star-studded lineup unveiled for Kate’s annual carol service

Star-studded lineup unveiled for Kate’s annual carol service

I’m A Celebrity viewers stunned as ITV evicts shock first campmate

I’m A Celebrity viewers stunned as ITV evicts shock first campmate

I’m A Celebrity viewers shocked by Jack Osbourne’s admission of grandfather’s ‘insane’ antics

I’m A Celebrity viewers shocked by Jack Osbourne’s admission of grandfather’s ‘insane’ antics

I’m a Celebrity star ‘feels free’ after being voted off first

I’m a Celebrity star ‘feels free’ after being voted off first

Jack Osbourne reveals dark family secret on I’m a Celebrity

Jack Osbourne reveals dark family secret on I’m a Celebrity

Jack Osbourne shocks I’m a Celeb campmates with wild grandfather story

Jack Osbourne shocks I’m a Celeb campmates with wild grandfather story

Richard Madeley blasts Strictly judges over ‘consistently underrated’ contestant

Richard Madeley blasts Strictly judges over ‘consistently underrated’ contestant

Ellen Bryant Voigt, Poet With a Musical Ear, Dies at 82

Ellen Bryant Voigt, Poet With a Musical Ear, Dies at 82

Amy Dowden issues Strictly return update after second mastectomy

Amy Dowden issues Strictly return update after second mastectomy

EastEnders’ character to be diagnosed with breast cancer upon return to Albert Square

EastEnders’ character to be diagnosed with breast cancer upon return to Albert Square

Netflix and Nickelodeon voice actor Tony Germano dies at 55 after tragic fall

Netflix and Nickelodeon voice actor Tony Germano dies at 55 after tragic fall

I’m a Celeb 2025 live: First star set to be eliminated from jungle

I’m a Celeb 2025 live: First star set to be eliminated from jungle

This holiday season, consider nature's way of spreading its wealth

This holiday season, consider nature's way of spreading its wealth

‘Masterpiece’ Stephen King film arrives on Netflix ahead of eagerly-anticipated remake

‘Masterpiece’ Stephen King film arrives on Netflix ahead of eagerly-anticipated remake

Alexander Skarsgård is having the time of his life on the Pillion press tour

Evening Standard

Alexander Skarsgård is having the time of his life on the Pillion press tour

Gustaffson at Courtyard Theatre: 'Putting the soul back into music'

Evening Standard

Gustaffson at Courtyard Theatre: 'Putting the soul back into music'

Aerosmith score first UK number one album with Yungblud collaboration

Evening Standard

Aerosmith score first UK number one album with Yungblud collaboration

Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower addresses Vecna’s ‘future’ after season 5 finale

Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower addresses Vecna’s ‘future’ after season 5 finale

I’m A Celebrity winner ‘urges Kelly Brook to shower naked’ for surprise reason

I’m A Celebrity winner ‘urges Kelly Brook to shower naked’ for surprise reason

Louis Tomlinson reveals the huge One Direction song he ‘always hated’ performing

Louis Tomlinson reveals the huge One Direction song he ‘always hated’ performing

Aerosmith secure first ever UK No 1 album more than 50 years after debut record

Aerosmith secure first ever UK No 1 album more than 50 years after debut record

Wicked director Jon M Chu reveals three-word phrase banned from Oz — until pivotal scene changed everything

Wicked director Jon M Chu reveals three-word phrase banned from Oz — until pivotal scene changed everything

A Guide to N.Y.C. Holiday Events: Music, Lights and More

A Guide to N.Y.C. Holiday Events: Music, Lights and More

007 fans can finally stream all 25 official James Bond films completely free

007 fans can finally stream all 25 official James Bond films completely free

The PlayStation 5 Pro is a year old – what does that mean for gaming?

Evening Standard

The PlayStation 5 Pro is a year old – what does that mean for gaming?

Radiohead achieve record attendance at The O2 with 22,355 fans on final night

Evening Standard

Radiohead achieve record attendance at The O2 with 22,355 fans on final night

Peter Kay rejected Netflix’s offer to stream Phoenix Nights because of ‘trigger warning’

Peter Kay rejected Netflix’s offer to stream Phoenix Nights because of ‘trigger warning’