These are the books we like to give as gifts... and the best we've ever received 

Stuck for a read or a gift idea? Oliver Callan, John Boorman and Lyra are among the well-known people chatting about their favourite book presents  

1. Carrie Crowley, Actor

Best book received as a gift: In the mid ’80s, my flatmate gave me Patrick Süskind’s Perfume for Christmas. I lost a few days once I’d turned that first page. Suddenly smell meant everything. I got it recently for my husband but actually started to re-read it myself and the same thing happened. Hooked!