The Big Question

This month’s question is: The Bible is one of the most widely read books in the world. This month’s question is: ‘What’s your favourite book to give as a gift?’

“For younger readers my go to would be the Whistlestop Tales series by Miriam and Krish Kandiah. Each book retells 10 Bible stories for children, while also weaving in contemporary issues from the modern day. Around the World looks at characters from different countries and includes information about what the country is today. And Extraordinary Children looks at characters with disabilities and how they play central roles in the story of the Bible. These books manage to retell old stories in a way that is fresh and relevant for today.

“For older readers my perhaps out-ofleft field recommendation is Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake. It’s a book about fungi and mycology, not a topic I ever thought I’d be interested in until I heard the author giving a talk. The book makes a compelling case that we’ve overlooked a whole kingdom of life that can do incredible things.

“Fungi connect trees in a ‘Wood Wide Web’ that allows them to share information with each other. They can digest almost anything and can even help clean up oil spills. And the medical effects, often known to our ancestors, may hold the key to thousands of cures. And that is barely scratching the surface of what the two million different species of fungi can do.

“Not my usual read but it’s the one book I can’t help but rave about to everyone I speak to.”

“For most of my life since the mid-1990s, people have always received one book from me – Gerd Theissen’s The Shadow of the Galilean – an incredible story of the young man following a few days behind Jesus around Galilee bringing to life not only his life, but also the after effects of it – and the inspiration which the local people had in their lives from hearing and seeing those events we only dream about. “The easy narrative and placement in history of the whole surroundings makes it an easy and memorable read for all ages – and a great book to read with your children and grandchildren as well with plenty of active imagination points to expand their own knowledge and creativity.

“There is probably now a close run second choice of book – for anyone who has been my friend long enough to squeeze two out of me!

“That would be The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy – partly because it really is just so beautifully written and illustrated and reminds us of the interaction between ourselves and others and the importance of being a caring well-rounded person within the wider community.

“Within my own work environment, I spend a lot of time telling people to ‘be more horse’ – and surely the horse in this book is the ultimate of wisdom and bravery, courage and love that this is encompassed by – and the community of friends the ideal of a Church.”

“I had to scratch my head a bit on this one! As a coach I spend a lot of time with people thinking about what they want to achieve.

“Often what we say we want to do and what we actually do are two really different narratives. I’m always really fascinated by that gap and what is going on in there. Sometimes it is motivation – and the level of meaning the task has for us. More and more I am convinced of the enormous significance of rhythms and habits in terms of getting traction towards our goals. Repeating the same behaviour produces the same results.

“If the set of habits we have isn’t delivering the goods – why not experiment with new patterns! One of the best books I’ve read on this topic is Atomic Habits by James Clear. It really helps you get inside the mechanics of how your brain works, the place of habits within the whole spectrum of our behaviour and decision making and how to transform those areas of life where progress is proving challenging.

“Thinking about your own rhythms and habits can feel a bit intangible – this book breaks it down into bite-sized pieces, it both helps you to understand what is going on and offers strategies to help you experiment and grow. It is accessible, easy to read – or listen to, and incredibly practical.

“What a gift to give – the gift of effectiveness and momentum!”

“Without a doubt, my favourite book to gift is The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy.

“I do, often, gift a bible to folks, but the difference between the Bible and The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is that while I’m fairly sure that most people to whom I gift the bible will, sadly, flick through it and then put it on their bookshelf where it might sit and rarely be opened, almost everyone gifted the Charlie Mackesy book will, whatever their age, read it.

“Probably the main reason it will be read from cover to cover is that it can be read in roughly half an hour, maybe less.

“The fact that it will be read is not my main reason for gifting it. I gift it, because the story is beautiful and speaks of love, courage, fear, tears and home.

“I often quote from it at funerals, and have gifted it to members of the bereaved family. A couple of my favourite quotes are ‘Tears fall for a reason and they are your strength not weakness.’

‘What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever said?’ asked the boy. ‘Help,’ said the horse.

“There’s so much more… the idea that to love is the mark of success and there is a part which remind me of Paul boasting about his weakness in 2 Corinthians. Read it – you’ll see.

“I just love it, it was gifted to me and many I have gifted it to have also bought it for someone else. It really is the gift which keeps on giving.”

“My favourite book to give as a gift would be a book on hygge (pronounced hooga). This is a Scandinavian concept that looks for joy in the simpler things in life; spending time with family and friends, cake, coffee, long walks, log fires, knitting and gardening (to name but a few). It describes a feeling of cosiness and security. It’s about taking time away from the day to day stresses to relax and enjoy life’s simpler pleasures.

“Hygge can also be about your environment, surrounding yourself with what makes you feel happy and content. Beautiful textiles, plants and scented candles and even improving the air quality in your space is all very ‘hygge’.

“Food also plays a huge role in hygge; good coffee, exquisite cake and spending time with family and friends to enjoy a simple but delicious home cooked meal.

“There is no prescriptive way to enjoy hygge and this is why it’s difficult to explain; everyone’s idea of hygge will differ and this sense of individualism is what makes it so special.

“And the best bit is, all hygge books are very beautiful and tactile and look perfect on top of a coffee table. It’s not just giving your loved ones the gift of a book, you’re giving them the gateway to a whole new way of life.”

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