Books to read over the Holiday break

By Caroline Karrh

There is arguably nothing better in the whole world than snuggling up in a comfy chair or on the couch with a cup of tea or coffee (or a glass of wine), some snacks, a good book, and nothing else to do.

If you find yourself to be so lucky this holiday break, Alice has a list of book recommendations that are sure to keep the good vibes going. Enjoy this curated list of good books for every mood.

Thriller:

  • In My Dreams I Hold a Knife by Ashley Winstead
    • In My Dreams I Hold a Knife is everything you could want in a spooky winter read. Dark academia vibes on a college campus? Check. An unsolved murder? Check. A sprinkle of romance. Check. Be sure to clear your schedule before starting, as this book is almost impossible to put down.
    • A 10-year college reunion unites six friends for the first time since their graduation at the elite Duquette university, and everyone has a secret to keep. Their friend Heather’s murder sent the friend group running in different directions, but when they reunite for the first time since that fateful crime, an unknown someone is determined to uncover the truth. The question is, how far are they each willing to go to keep it hidden?
  • Never Lie by Freida McFadden
    • Freida McFadden is having a moment in the book world right now, and for good reason. Her short, easily digestible and endlessly readable thrillers are flying off the shelves and might be just what you need this holiday season. Never Lie is the perfect winter thriller to keep you on your toes or get you back into reading.
    • When a young couple gets trapped by a snowstorm in a vacant house they were touring, strange things start happening. That’s just about all you need to know before diving into this gripping mystery.
  • Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
    • Lock Every Door is sure to have you racing to the last page of this book, and your jaw on the floor by the time you’re done.
    • Jules Larson’s new apartment-sitting job in the cushy Bartholomew, one of the most exclusive and expensive buildings in Manhattan, comes with only a few rules: no visitors, no nights spent away from the apartment, and no disturbing the residents. Piece of cake. Until a fellow house sitter of a neighboring apartment disappears, and Jules is the only one who seems to care. As she searches for answers, she is at the same time uncovering the darkness that lies in wait in the Bartholomew.
    • Lock Every Door is sure to have you wanting to do just that after you finish it!
  • Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent
    • Equal parts thrilling, heartbreaking, and heartwarming, Strange Sally Diamond is an unforgettable story about an unforgettable woman.
    • When socially stunted strange Sally Diamond disposes of her deceased father’s body in the backyard trash incinerator, she can’t understand why what she did was so strange. She was just doing what he always told her! When a media frenzy and police investigation infringes on Sally’s solitary existence, she is forced to adjust to the outside world, while grappling with the traumatic memories of her early childhood.
    • This unique novel will have you wanting to laugh, cry and scream, and leave you wanting more.

Romance:

  • Just like Magic by Sarah Hogle
    • Just like Magic is like a fuzzy blanket in book form. Warm, cozy and just makes you feel good. Give this silly and heartwarming book a try!
    • When a down-on-her luck socialite accidentally conjures the strangely handsome spirit of Christman who calls himself “Hall,” fun, magic and Christmas hijinks with family ensue.
  • The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
    • Katherine Center will have you feeling all the feels this holiday season!” The Rom-Commers” is sweet, tender and laugh-out-loud funny.
    • When Emma Wheeler finds herself rewriting a screenplay for the legendary Charlie Yates, she can hardly believe her luck. This could be her big break, and her family’s opportunity to finally stop choosing between their dreams and reality. But when reality comes in the form of Charlie being an absolute jerk, the six weeks she has to rewrite the screenplay seem like an eternity. Can Emma convince Charlie that love really does exist? And if she does, will this finally be the opportunity she’s been searching for?
  • Book Lovers by Emily Henry
    • A book about people who love books! What could be better?
    • Cutthroat literary agent Nora loves nothing more than striking deals for her clients… and her little sister Libby. Which is how she finds herself in the charming small town of Sunshine Falls, North Carolina for the entire month of August. Coincidentally, she keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, an editor who runs in the same circles and probably wishes he didn’t, as Nora. Tensions build and so does their chemistry. The question is, how will their story end?

General Fiction

  • Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
    • Nothing to See Here is a book just as heartwarming as it is odd. Lillian’s old boarding school roommate, Madison, writes to her out of the blue years later with an unexpected request: could she be the caretaker for her twin stepchildren? There’s a catch, however. The children spontaneously burst into flames when they’re upset. What could go wrong?
    • Though it seems a strange concept, give the book a shot. You won’t be disappointed. An expert tip: the audiobook version of this book is absolutely phenomenal.
  • The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
    • This cozy WWII historical fiction revolves around four women in a cooking competition to decide who will be a host for a popular radio program helping wives and mothers make the most of their war rations. Conflict, confrontation and scheming ensue, with the competitors each doing everything they can to create the best dishes. This lively and tender story will warm your heart, and probably make you a little hungry, too.

Nonfiction

  • I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
    • I’m Glad My Mom Died is one of the most popular memoirs of the last few years, and for good reason. McCurdy tells the story of her turbulent childhood and early adulthood in a way that makes readers both admire her strength and empathize with her grief.
  • Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
    • If you’ve ever looked at your friends and thought, “These women are the loves of my life,” then this book is for you. Chock full of funny stories, sharp wisdom and heartfelt advice, Dolly Alderton delivers one of the most enchanting reads you’ll ever pick up.
  • Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
    • If you’ve ever wondered what goes on in a restaurant kitchen, Anthony Bourdain is here to give you all the juicy secrets. In this fun, funny, and sometimes crass memoir, the world-famous chef expertly entwines his life in the restaurant business with tips, tricks, and tidbits about the industry, leaving readers both laughing and learning.