What are the Folio editors reading?
Looking for the perfect literary gift? Let our experts lead the way! The Folio editors know every edition inside out, so who better to ask for their festive gifting picks? It’s a truly eclectic mix from Tom, James, Sinéad and Mandy, who carefully select their favourite editions from the Christmas collection and across the Folio library. Without further ado, we present our editor’s picks.
Top picks from The Christmas Collection
Tom Walker, Publishing Director – Songs of Innocence and of Experience
I have always loved Blake's work: the unvarnished worlds of high prophecy living alongside the bleak realism of Georgian London.
For this edition we tried to recreate the experience of handling the original manuscript as printed and coloured by Blake himself.
Illustration by William Blake
Sinéad O’Callaghan, Fiction Editor – Charmed Life
In her intro for our edition, Katherine Rundell described the Chrestomanci series as 'feasts for the teeth of children' and I couldn't agree more.
Mandy Kirkby, Non-Fiction Publisher – The Planets
This is a mind-blowing book which we have matched with mind-blowing NASA photography. You'll never look at the night sky in the same way again.
Photo © NASA
The perfect gifting editions
Mandy Kirkby, Non-Fiction Publisher – The Living Mountain
One of the greatest works of nature writing. Rose Strang's paintings, commissioned for this edition, are very special. It's simply a beautiful book, inside and out. Perfect.
Tom Walker, Publishing Director – Wolf Hall
The illustrations by Igor & Marina, approved by the late Hilary Mantel, perfectly capture the glimpsing half-light and half-truths of Cromwell's world.
Illustration by Igor & Marina
Superb series for collectors
Sinéad O’Callaghan Fiction Editor – Roald Dahl
Beautifully packaged with Quentin Blake's original illustrations, they remind me of discovering the joy of reading in the best possible way.
James Rose, Head of Editorial – The Bond Collection
An icon of twentieth-century literature (and film), Bond is as popular now as ever. Fay Dalton's incredible visualisation of Fleming's creation is startling and incredibly real, culminating in the astonishing Limited Edition of Casino Royale. Surely a must for any Bond aficionado.
Illustration by Fay Dalton
A limited edition for an extra-special gift
Illustration by Juan Esteban Rodríguez
James Rose, Head of Editorial – The Moonstone
What would the festive season be like without a good mystery? The illustrations by Juan Esteban Rodríguez are perfectly atmospheric and the introduction by Val McDermid is utterly illuminating.
