The Mauves fan will go for the massage table memories of Anderlecht physical trainer Hubert Lemaire: “Behind the scenes of Sporting Anderlecht” (€22.50). And so as not to make anyone jealous, the Union supporter will receive “Go Union!” (40€).
For foodies concerned about sustainability, we will slip in the 100 vegetarian recipes from trendy Brussels addresses, brought together by Chloé Roose in “Brussels 100 chefs, 100 vegetarian recipes” (30€). For unscrupulous gourmands, we will rather feed them with the memories of Patrick De Corte, both the fairground and the most famous friturist in Brussels (€17). Yum!
Young people from the 80s will go back in time with Yves Ringer who revisits the record shops, newsstands and dance halls that have disappeared in “Bruxelles 80” (€18). Finally, those nostalgic for old Brussels will be delighted to taste croquettes, pilsners and caricoles in François Liénard’s “Joyeuse Ouverte”, mixed with vanished memories (€18).
Top-notch literature
In literature, Brussels brings together dozens of authors. And prints thousands of pages which take Pentagon and 19 towns as a setting. Some made an impact in 2024.
Think of “Pipeline” by Rachel Cholz (diving into the periphery and the schemes to dispose of siphoned diesel), “Mythologie du.12” by Célestin de Meeûs (24 hours with two characters, one lost wandering between snack bars and parking lots , the other bourgeois doctor nostalgic for his hunting trips), to “It still shines” by Bénédicte Lotoko (Clotilde, daughter of a rich Belgian father and an absent Congolese mother, flees into books, parties and the streets of Brussels), or even in “War and Rain”, by the Bosnian Velibor Čolić, a former soldier living in Brussels (the horror of war of the Balkans, its appalling violence, sprinkled with alcoholic madness and hallucinatory humor).
Last literary advice: the crossed memories of Afro-descendant and North African mothers or grandmothers by their 8 daughters or granddaughters, all authors from Brussels, brought together in “(Grands)-mères en Lumière”.
A comic book as a safe bet
Of course, we always need a little Franco-Belgian comic book to place under the tree, for a stress-free gift for the collecting uncle. That’s good: the story of the demolition of the Maison du Peuple in Horta has been made into a comic book in an ultra-classic style (€15.50). Another shot that will not miss its target: “Revoir Comanche”, by Saint-Gillois Romain Renard, who has received several awards. Right on target.
For books, we let you consult the selection of 100% Brussels children’s books concocted by Sophie, from the Schaerbeek neighborhood bookstore Brin d’Acier. We also highly recommend the very rhythmic science fiction series Mekka Nikki, by Saint-Gillois Exaheva and Félix Laurent (4 volumes, from €13). This initiatory quest across the planets, mixing social struggle and self-discovery at an insane pace, will please Naruto readers and Avengers alike… and their parents. Big love also for “Magda, Intergalactic Cook”, by Brussels-based Mathilde Van Gheluwe and Nicolas Wauters, whose volume 3 was published in 2024 (3 volumes from €21): this crazy, anti-capitalist and anti-speciesist space adventure will delight children aged 9 and up from 9 years old. fans of both the Hunger Games and the Best Pastry Chef. A delight.
