If you're still desperately casting around for presents, here are some books that are bound to be appreciated.

MY WORLD by Jonny Wilkinson (Headline, £17)

RUGBY World Cup hero and Newcastle Falcons captain Wilkinson opens up for the first time on his life and career and that incredible championship. Which sports-mad male (and a lot of women too) wouldn't want this on their Christmas list?

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2005 (Planeta, £12)

THE wild, the wacky and the wonderful compete for space in the latest edition of the record-breaking record book.

MILLER'S ANTIQUES PRICE GUIDE 2005 (£21.99)

WITH 60 separate categories and 10,000 items displayed in full colour this is the best-selling most comprehensive guide for the avid collector and the boot sale browser alike.

HIMALAYA by Michael Palin (£14)

Michael Palin's latest adventure sees him tackling the Himalayas, the world's greatest and most dangerous mountain range, with typically self-effacing humour.

ATTENTION ALL SHIPPING, A Journey Around The Shipping Forecast by Charlie Connelly (£12.99)

This is a journey I suspect most of us would love to make. Where are those mysterious locations that appear as regular as clockwork on the shipping forecast? Charlie Connelly writes in a wry and relaxed style and brings to life the places and people behind the locations we hear so regularly mentioned on the radio.

THE SIMPSONS HOLIDAY HUMDINGER (£12.99)

"Mmm....Christmas." Join Homer and family for Yuletide yuks in this collection of seasonal Simpsons stories.

SCHOTT'S SPORTING GAMING AND IDLING MISCELLANY by Ben Schott (£9.99)

Look no further for the rules to Elephant Polo, the words to the Kiwi Haka and, the best of all, the names on the Whacky Races starting grid, in typical Schott's style.

FLANIMALS by Ricky Gervais (£9.99)

The star of The Office has produced a bizarrely surreal story that is as hilarious for adults as it is for children.

GRUMPY OLD MEN, the official handbook, by Stuart Prebble (£9.99)

Unleash your inner curmudgeon with this brilliant handbook. An essential companion to the TV series.

DELIA'S KITCHEN GARDEN by Delia Smith and Gay Search (£17)

The inimitable Delia returns (with gardening guru Gay Search) to bring you an invaluable guide to growing and cooking your own food. Together they take you through the year to bring the best from your garden into the kitchen.

Feast, Food that Celebrates Life by Nigella Lawson (£21)

Kitchen temptress Nigella celebrates everything from a Sardinian Easter to an English wedding breakfast in this sensational recipe book.

Jamie's Dinners, the Essential Family Cook Book (£16)

If family meals are an unimaginative struggle and the idea of school dinners makes you shudder then Jamie is your saviour to savour. You'll be serving gourmet grub to the children before your know it.

The River Cottage Meat Book by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall (£25)

This brilliant book had been one of the cookery highlights of 2004. It contains a wealth of advice in sourcing, preparing and cooking various meats: there are great recipes and its informed by Mr Fearnley-Whittingstall's enlightened approach to farming and subsistence living. Required reading for committed carnivors.

POEMS TO LAST A LIFETIME, edited by Daisy Goodwin (£14)

A meditative and absorbing collection of poetry - charming and sublime.

As It Was by Fred Trueman (£18.99)

From his days as a junior professional in the 1950s to trading quips and commentary with Johners and Blowers, this is the typically funny, honest and blunt autobiography of one of cricket's great characters.

The Life of Senna by Tom Rubython (£25)

Published to coincide with the tenth anniversary of Ayrton Senna's death, this is the finest book yet on the mercurial genius still wildly acknowledged as the best racing driver of all time. Rubython explores Senna's life and career with insight and objectivity.

Frankie, the Autobiography by Frankie Dettori (£12.99)

Small in stature but not in personality, Dettori has become one of the most successful jockeys of the era yet his triumphs have not gone to his head as shown in this hugely enjoyable autobiography.

THE ROAD TAKEN: An Autobiography by Michael Buerk (£16)

The autobiography of the newscaster whose harrowing reports in 1984 woke the world up to the famine in Ethiopia. An engaging, witty and urbane read.

Dare to be Daniel: Then and Now by Tony Benn (£14.99)

A politician who commands the respect of those of all political persuasions is a rare thing. Here, Tony Benn looks back at the formative years that shaped his life and career.

NO ROOM FOR SECRETS by Joanna Lumley (£14.99)

Always more than just an actress or model, Joanna Lumley has finally written the book she always wanted to write. It's a fascinating and enlightening story.

NORTHERN SOUL by Jimmy Nail (£14.99)

Auf Wiedersehen, Pet actor and the most unlikely pop star of recent years, Geordie Jimmy Nail looks back on his life, ambitions and the people who helped him realise his dreams.

Published: 21/12/2004