In the thick of Christmas prep, I’m also in the middle of my annual bouts of envy – of all the book bloggers who have already gotten their Best of the Year lists out!
And it’s already time to decide on your First Book of 2026! Are you going to take part in Sheila’s 13th Annual First Book of the Year celebration at Book Journey?
Currently Reading
Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas by Maya Angelou
Charged with Maya Angelou’s remarkable sense of life and love, Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas is a unique celebration of the human condition–and an enthralling saga that has touched, inspired, and empowered readers worldwide. – Publisher
The Christmas Wedding Guest: A Holiday Romance by Susan Mallery
“This two-in-one romance starts a new series that Mallery’s many fans will devour like a Christmas cookie.”—Booklist
Recently Read
Little Monsters by Adrienne Brodeur
From the author of the bestselling memoir Wild Game comes a riveting novel about Cape Cod, complicated families, and long-buried secrets. – Publisher
Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson
An unexpected road trip across America brings a family together, in this raucous and moving new novel from the bestselling author of Nothing to See Here. – Publisher
Recently Listened To
Love, Holly by Emily Stone
“Written with her signature charm, Emily Stone’s Love, Holly is a heartfelt novel that will endear readers.”— Booklist
I picked this thinking it would be a light-hearted Christmas romance, and it turns out to be a bit of a tearjerker. Halfway through, though, and still holding out for a happy ending!
Recently Listened To
Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret: A Festive Mystery by Benjamin Stevenson
If Knives Out and The Thursday Murder Club kissed under the mistletoe. — Publisher
Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret is third in a series of stand-alone, self-contained mysteries set in Australia – 1 Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone (2022) · 2 Everyone On This Train Is A Suspect (2023) · 3 Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret (2024) – with the fourth one coming out in March, but I’d suggest starting with the first one to get the gist of the first-person narration and character of the “author” of these books. The narrator promises the reader “fair play” as in the Golden Age mysteries he is keen on, so there are no unreliable narrators, last-minute clues revealed, etc.
I didn’t realize this was a novella until Shelley pointed it out last week. (The problem with getting books as library downloads!) I recommend this series if you like Anthony Horowitz’s Magpie Murders, Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club, or the Anty Boisjoly series by P. J. Fitzsimmons.
This post is linked up to It’s Monday, What Are You Reading, hosted by The Book Date. It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is a place to meet up and share what you have been and are currently reading each week. Visit the link-up for more books to add to your groaning TBR pile.
