Whether you give them as a gift or only pass them on once you’ve turned the last page, these books were made for sharing with friends and family.

Becoming – Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama’s autobiography became an instant hit when it was published late last year, and it’s easy to see why. Her trademark warmth, humility and intelligence shine from every page.

The memoir takes us from Michelle’s early childhood to her time as First Lady, and beyond. Entertaining, thought-provoking and inspiring to boot.

When All is Said – Anne Griffin

Widower Maurice sits at a bar in Ireland, raising toasts to the most important people in his life, from the brother who died so many years ago to his late wife. His joys, tragedies and regrets are laid bare. A warm, powerful tale that’s hugely enjoyable to read. You’ll miss Maurice’s humour, straight-talking and honesty when you reach the end.

Hold – Michael Donkor

17-year-old Belinda is a Ghanaian housemaid, who is sent to London by her mistress as a companion for another teenage girl, Amma. Belinda leaves behind fellow maid, 11-year-old Mary. Belinda and Amma grow close until a revelation causes Belinda to question everything she’s been taught. The three girls struggle with their identities and the expectations placed on them, whether by parents, employers or society as a whole. An intriguing coming of age novel with plenty of unexpected twists.

A Poem for Every Day of the Year – Allie Esiri

Whether you fancy a funny poem for April Fool’s Day, a festive one for Christmas or an autumnal treat for October, you’ll find them all and more in this collection. While the book is aimed at children, these are poems that people of any age can enjoy. Poets range from old favourites such as Charlotte Brontë, Emily Dickinson and Phillip Larkin to contemporary wordsmiths such as Kate Tempest. Each poem has a short introduction by Allie Esiri.

Humans of London – Cathy Teesdale

Cathy Teesdale has taken thousands of photographs across Greater London over the years. This book features more than 250 of her best shots with short quotes from the subjects. Beautiful pictures, interesting stories, a glimpse into other people’s lives – what more could you ask for from a coffee table book?

Sherlock Holmes Case Book: Solve-it-Yourself Mysteries – Tim Dedopulos

If you love a good ‘whodunnit’ and enjoy sifting through the clues to identify the culprit for yourself, you’re going to love this book. There are 10 cases to solve, from ‘The Birchfield Mystery’ to ‘Murder at the Carnaby Rooms’. Each one is beautifully illustrated. Twists, turns and plenty of red herrings mean you’ll need all your powers of deduction to solve the crimes. Great fun.