Might I Recommend...

Holiday reads I love.

‘Tis the season when all I want to do is don my wearable blanket (The Comfy™), pour a cup of hot cocoa (before 5:00pm) or a glass of red wine (after 5:00pm), and sit in my favorite reading chair with a cozy book. If this sounds familiar, and you are in need of reading inspiration, I’ve collected a few favorites for your consideration. They are all pretty short reads but ones that punch above their weight.

Comfort & Joy by India Knight

My thoughts from 2015: “This was better than I was expecting and a nice holiday read. It follows one woman and her motley group of friends and family over three Christmas celebrations, during which she learns what it means to understand and be okay with herself, her world, and her place in it. Worth reading just for the character of the mother, who was wonderful. I listened to this one and the narration was great.”

Christmas by the Book by Anne Marie Ryan

My thoughts from 2022: “This novel had all the elements of a feel-good holiday read, and I was here for it. Nora and Simon are married and own a charming bookshop in a quaint town in the scenic Cotswolds. Of course, the shop is struggling because no one properly appreciates books and small businesses anymore. You know where this is going, right? I loved the cast of characters and connections made among them, and yes, it's all just perfectly tied up with a bow at the end, but I don't care. It made me smile and feel warm and fuzzy inside.”

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

My thoughts from 2022: “A beautifully spare novella about a good man who understands what true grace is and who does the right thing, even when it’s the hard thing.”

Mutts and Mistletoe by Natalie Cox

My thoughts from 2019: “After an accident leaves her flat uninhabitable, Charlie goes to stay with her cousin, who runs a canine boarding facility. Hijinks ensue when the cousin leaves Charlie in charge with a pregnant beagle, a pair of huskies, assorted other dogs, and two alpacas. And the attractive local vet who has sexy forearms (I am an admirer of nice forearms myself so appreciated this detail...). There are broken boilers, misunderstandings, and dognapping, all with love swirling in the air. A total feel-good book that had me chuckling out loud more than once.”

And my very, very, VERY favorite seasonal read of all-time, which I now read or listen to every December…

Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O’Nan

My thoughts from my first read of it in 2011: “Stewart O’Nan’s novella is the story of Manny, an overweight, eager-to-please manager of a Red Lobster that is going out of business. We follow Manny through his last day on the job as he tries to fulfill his duties and motivate the remaining staff, not to mention puzzle through his relationship with one of the waitresses. It may sound like a dull premise, but it’s not… O’Nan has produced an excellent portrait of a hard working guy who, despite his best efforts, can’t seem to catch a break. It’s bleak and sad, and yet the pride Manny takes in his work is also moving and somehow beautiful.”

And 2012: “It's beautifully sad and heart-breaking but so real and true, from the emotion and themes of the book to the minor details that O'Nan gets spot-on. A quick read with high return.”

And 2021: “I will never not love this book. This is my fourth read of it and it is just as bittersweet and deeply moving as the first time.”

And last year: “This small novella is perfection. I've re-read it every holiday season for several years now, and it never disappoints. Just a wonderful little gem.”

I’ll be reading it again later this month and hope you’ll pick it up, too.

Happy Holidays!