Knot Craft and Rope Mats By Des Pawson
If you bought Des Pawson’s Complete Book of Knots (above) a few years back you could find yourself surprised to discover that in fact there are more, and indeed more specialised types of ropework, all described and written up here in the way only Des can. This is a beautiful book, richly illustrated and inspirational. Features goodies like the restored lifeboat Lucy Lavers’ Bow Pudding! £16.99 Adlard Coles
Notable Boats By Nic Compton 
Nic Compton’s marvellously eclectic and well written collection of 40 boats and the sailors who made them famous – either as a type of design or simply for a feat of achievement. Some favourites but lots of surprises. Bite size stories in a coffee table or big loo book format with great illustrations by Peter Scott. £20 Published by the Ivy Press
Lloyd’s Register of Yachts 
It’s happened! 94 years of Lloyd’s Registers have been scanned and squeezed into a searchable (by year) single USB memory stick. Apparently nobody anywhere has a complete collection of Lloyd’s so this is a way to be swanky and be able to discover the history of almost any old yacht. £95 www.yachtinghistorians.org.uk
Hand Reef and Steer By Tom Cunliffe 
An update of the standard text for gaff rig sailors of cat boats, cutters, sloops, yawls, ketches and schooners – now with updated sections on modern gaffers, replicas and the big class. This is principally a book on rigging, sail trim, and handling and surely answers most of the questions you might have about your gaffer. £25 (paperback) Adlard Coles
Keeping a Sketchbook Diary By Claudia Myatt 
Claudia’s watercolour artwork is well- known to readers of this and other marine titles, and (even though self-taught herself) she also teaches drawing. This attractive little book is stronger on inspiration than technique. “Sketching helps you slow down and connect with your surroundings.” But it is full of ideas, and examples. PW £9.99 claudiamyatt.co.uk
Alpha Bravo Charlie 
So many of us now know the phonetic alphabet, isn’t it time to teach the young! This book aims to do just that with a colourful layout designed to appeal to pre-school age children and laid out alphabetically with explanatory paintings, ag, phonetic letter, morse, sound signal and the semaphore! It really is rather good! £12.95 from uk.phaidon.com
Heavy Weather Sailing By Peter Bruce
Now in its 7th edition this is the bible for the offshore sailor and a good, nay essential book to digest before planning a cruise anywhere out of coastal waters. Split in two halves with general explanatory advice from experts and then chapters on real storm experiences. £35 Adlard Coles
Holmes of the Humber By Tony Watts 
Softback reissue of Lodestar Books’ first title, now with an introduction by Ian MacMillan (the Bard of Barnsley). George Holmes, sailor and friend of Albert Strange was also a yacht designer, notably of the canoe yawl. And Tony Watts has collected his drawings and articles. £25.00 lodestarbooks.com
Messing About in Boats By John R Muir 
Charming and evocative account of leisure sailing – and a bit of work on boats – in UK waters in the 1930s and 40s recounted with humour by naval surgeon John Muir. This is the ideal Christmas reside antidote to Tilman, with an introduction by Sam Llewellyn and cover illustration by Martyn Mackrill. £12.00 lodestarbooks.com
That Hamilton Woman By Barry Gough 
The pocket hardback takes its title from a classic black-and-white Hollywood movie from 1941 starring Vivien Leigh and Laurence Olivier. But this is the almost incredible story of Emma Hamilton, Admiral Nelson’s famous mistress, and it shows her part in his fame and success. Superb! £12.99 seaforthpublishing.com
Cowes-Torquay 1961–1978 By Charles Lawrence and Graham Stevens 
It sounds like the title to a Mastermind special subject, and this is indeed an encyclopaedic compendium of notes and entrants, placings, timings and photos of boats from this golden age, the first 18 years of this world-famous offshore powerboat race. It features superb artwork of winners. £20 charleslawrencechiswick.co.uk
Forgotten Songs and Stories of the Sea By Caroline Rochford 
This is as much a compendium of fascinating stories as a collection of songs (the songs sadly have no tunes). But you’ll find yourself reading and reading it. It’s well written and full of stuff you almost certainly haven’t heard of! Softback 252 pages. £10.39 pen-and-sword.co.uk