It’s always a tough choice. Naturally, I enjoyed all the books on this year’s longlist. After mulling it over all week, I’ve opted for Amartya Sen’s Home in the World, as the one that ticks all the boxes: economic insights, distinctiveness, wonderful writing. If you want a book to curl up under the blankets with over the holidays, it won’t disappoint you.

My own holiday reading in-pile is huge, as decorating our bedroom recently meant I had to excavate the mound of books under the bedside table & found plenty that I’d never got round to. At the moment I’m reading Harold Nicolson’s diaries – another epoch and so rather good as escapism from our own pretty rubbish times. Needless to say, I’m hoping Santa will bring me some more books too.

And if any of you are looking for a last-minute present for someone in your life interested in economics, I have to recommend my own Cogs and Monsters. I’m chuffed – looking this up just now to add a link – to discover the online reviews are all 5 stars! So you don’t just have to take my word for it.