It’s that most, wonderful time of the year: the time to give and receive books! My parents didn’t have much money when we were growing up, and my mother insisted that buying books was a needless, sinful expense, particularly when there was a good library close to our house. And believe me, I utilized that library! But back then, when dinosaurs had just barely ceded dominance of the land, librarians considered Nancy Drew books unworthy of library shelf space. My pain was extraordinary. It was alleviated, however, twice a year, by an extraordinary angel: my sister. She saved her pennies, and every birthday and Christmas, she gifted me a Nancy Drew book. I have never forgotten the joy those gifts brought me, and to this day, I feel guilty if my gifts to loved ones do not include a book.
Thus, in the spirit of perpetuating forever the joy of giving and receiving books, here are some of my suggestions for this holiday season. I’ve mentioned Julie Garwood frequently in my columns this year since that beloved writer’s too-early passing last spring. Many of even her earliest books are still in print, so grab them now before they disappear. I’m partial to her contemporary Buchanan series (you can start anywhere though I particularly enjoyed FIRE AND ICE), but her early medieval romances (I’d try HONOR’S SPLENDOUR) hold up surprisingly well and leave the reader with the contentment of a warm hot chocolate on a cold, wintry day.
A writer who’s been delivering satisfying romances for years burst onto the scene this year with her breathtaking FOURTH WING, a story of bravery, danger, treachery, heroism, romance, and dragons! The world finally recognized Rebecca Yarros’ first rate storytelling as she kept legions of us glued to the page (or audiobook) for FOURTH WING and its sequel, IRON FLAME. I greedily gifted myself copies of both books, but they would make a fabulous gift for . . . almost anyone! (There’s sex and language, but nothing that a mature teenager can’t handle.) Alas, there are more books still to come in the series, so if you or your giftee is the sort who wants to wait until the series is complete, allow me to recommend a similarly exciting story (which yes, many of you may know already, but I only finally read the books this year!): the Chronicles of the One trilogy by Nora Roberts. Trigger warning for a storyline based on a worldwide pandemic (volume one came out in 2017, believe it or not, but come on, guys, we can handle it!), the trilogy offers a non-stop tale of good vs. evil, replete with magic (or “Magick” as Nora spells it!), treachery, heroism, and love. Best of all, it’s complete! I borrowed the books from my library, so if anyone from my family happens to read this column, I think the set would make a lovely Christmas present!
I’m guilty of not yet having squeezed in her latest YA release, but gift givers will always score points with an Ali Hazelwood book. LOVE, THEORETICALLY is a delicious combination of the cerebral and the ordinary, especially since the concept that a bright, hard-working female might find it difficult to keep up financially with equally or less competent men in her field is not hard to believe. Hazelwood makes her characters work for their HEA, but it’s always rewarding.
The incomparable Susan Elizabeth Phillips has a new book coming out in February, SIMPLY THE BEST, the tenth book in her fabulous Chicago Stars series, and I cannot wait (are you listening, NetGalley?)! Give the gift of delicious, romantic escape with any one of her terrific books, but if you or your giftee likes reading in order, start with IT HAD TO BE YOU. Opposites attract, fireworks ensue, and even sports avoiders will be enchanted.
And because I depend on books for a bit of escape but still prefer a scenario that could really happen, if I closed my eyes and wished real hard, romcom writer Krista Sandor has recently become a favorite. I’m eager for February’s THE BIRTHDAY CARD BOYFRIEND, but MISTLETOE LOVE MATCH is available for free! Give someone the gift of a delightful romantic sparring match in a snowy winter wonderland, and they’ll never even care that you didn’t spend money.
Finally, want to capture a friend or loved one’s attention with a mystery that will keep them turning the pages and ultimately sighing in delight with its romantic conclusion? Try SECOND SIGHT, SECOND ACT, or SECOND STANZA by that great writer, Meg Napier. I guarantee they will make your giftee have second thoughts about the need to clean up the holiday mess and decide instead to settle down for a satisfying read.
May your holidays be filled with joy, calm, and love, and may Santa fill your bookshelf or reader with the greatest of gifts: good books.
About Meg Napier
Meg’s friends during her high school years all expected her romance novels to hit the shelves decades ago, but she foolishly allowed “serious pursuits” to get in her way. Now that her beloved children can feed, clothe, and most importantly, support themselves, she’s free to turn her attention to her first passion – putting words to paper that capture your attention and make your heart sing in quiet joy. Her stories tell most frequently of second chances–in life, love, and sometimes even at rediscovering a soul-mate from a previous life.
No Comments
Comments are closed.