It is getting colder here and that means I want to stay indoors a bit more and in the evenings, I love to curl up with the dogs and a book. I put together some ideas for books you might want to add to your reading list this winter. I tried to include some non-fiction, some escapist fiction and hopefully there is something for everyone.
A Time for Mercy by John Grisham
This is the continuation of the story of Jake Brigance from A Time to Kill. This time around Jake is representing a 16 year old boy accused of murdering a police man and facing the death penalty in Mississippi. Once again Jake has to get to the bottom of a highly controversial case to ensure justice prevails.
A retired Chicago PD officer relocates to a small Irish town, hoping to live a simple and quiet life. When a local boy goes missing, he is pulled into an investigation that uncovers dark secrets about the town.
This is a great one if you want a juicy crime novel for rainy nights by the fire.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
I know our country is deeply divided politically right now but when a former President writes a memoir, it should be an interesting read. This novel discusses President Obama’s boyhood and moves into his early political career and covers many of the milestones of his Presidency. This will be released November 17th and I can’t wait to pick this one up.
Conversations with RBG by Jeffery Rosen
Urg… the absolute worst part of 2020 for me was losing the iconic RBG. This is a book written by a journalist and friend of Justice Ginsburg recounting interviews he conducted with her over the last thirty years. Justice Ginsburg talks about her favorite dissents, numerous hot button issues such as #MeToo, the future of the Supreme Court and her thoughts on general topics such as compassion and productively.
My mantra for getting through the rest of 2020 is What Would Ruth Do? So I am really looking forward to this book as well. Release date is Nov 5th.
The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis
Set in 1913 in New York, a happily married woman lives with her superintendent husband and children in the New York Library. When she applies to the Columbia School of Journalism, her studies introduce her to a more bohemian world of suffragettes and women’s rights which leads her to question her traditional values. Eighty years later, her granddaughter becomes a curator at the library and uncovers some deep family secrets.
I have read all of Fiona Davis’ novels, which tend to go back and forth between historical eras and the modern day in New York City. I really enjoy her unique stories and if you like this one, you might read her other books
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
A random group of strangers are milling about an Open House for a NYC apartment, when a failed bank robber bursts in and takes the entire group hostage. The group confront their personal issues and become surprising allies during the hostage negotiations.
This sounds like a unique and interesting book to get lost in this winter.
In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
I wanted some lighter options that are just fun and easy to read since we are in such a stressful time. A little holiday themed escapism is probably good for everyone’s mental health. Maelyn Jones is facing an epic breakup, a deadend job and finds herself moving back in with her parents. She travels to Utah to spend the holidays in her family cabin and after a minor car accident, finds herself reliving the trip over and over. Now Maelyn needs to work with the universe to get her out of the loop she is in and hopefully putting back the pieces of her life in the process.
The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel
This is a historical novel that takes us to France in 1940 as a young winemaker begins working for the resistance. his wife lives in constant fear and eventually makes a potentially fatal error with a Nazi collaborator and the chef de cave is a Jew, fearful for her life yet reckless in her pursuit of happiness during war.
The novel collides with present day when a recent divorcee is introduced to the secrets of long buried by her sassy and eccentric Grandmother.
I worked in the wine industry for years so this book really sparks my imagination- a winery would be a perfect spot to hide resistance activities especially since the Germans loved French wine and would not have wanted to disrupt production.
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho
Have you watched Emmanuel Acho’s stories on Instagram or his special with Oprah Winfrey? He is an articulate voice for the African American community trying to shine a light on racial injustice and differences one uncomfortable conversation at a time. I find Emmanuel so refreshing as he is calm and fair minded and just has civil conversations trying to express his perspective and understand another person’s perspective. That sort of respectful coming together is so sorely needed right now.
This will be released November 10th and is a great book to pick up if you are on a path to better understand systemic racism and get answers to questions that you may have been too uncomfortable to ask.
Jungle All The Way by Debbie Macomber
Alright- some heavy topics in this list so here is another option for pure fun and escapism. I wanted to include a book that might appeal to those of you that just love getting lost in the Hallmark movie season and I think this one might do the trick.
Everly is a top real estate executive living a stressful life with no balance. When her boss insists she take an entire month vacation, Everly reluctantly agrees imagining warm climates and cocktails on the beach. Instead her former assistant books her on an adventure cruise through the Amazon where Everly meets a nature guide that makes her start to rethink the rat race she has been so determined to return to back home. Perfect novel for holiday travel this year.
Make Life Beautiful by Syd and Shea McGee
A lot of us will be spending more and more time at home as it looks like Covid cases are on the rise in so many areas. Why not check out the most beautiful designer on the internet right now- Shea McGee and get inspired to make your home more inviting and beautiful. This book, along with The Home Edit
I hope you found something on this list that appeals to you and I’d love to hear any recommendations of books you are reading and enjoying right now.
If you’d like to get more recommendations, here are a few lists I posted earlier this year:
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