December Reading Recap

Chunky book winter

Happy new year! Although the timing of New Year’s this year—awkwardly shoved into the middle of the week—means that I’m still feeling a bit of post-holiday haze, I’m starting to get a handle on 2025 and shape some of my reading goals for the new year.

But first, let’s talk about December reads. I read fourteen books in December, not quite as many as I would have liked but still a respectable number. (My sweet spot, I suspect, is somewhere between sixteen and twenty books a month.) I read some of my most anticipated 2024 releases, fit in a few festive romances, and had more than one book almost bring me to tears. My three favorite books of the month all wound up being 500-page plus tomes and thinking about how much I enjoy longer books has me wanting to prioritize more chunky books this year, as well as more deep backlist.

I did DNF one book in December: Didion and Babitz by Lili Anolik. Although I’m fascinated by 70’s LA, literary history, and Eve Babitz, Anolik’s seemingly intense dislike of Joan Didion had me wondering why she decided to write a book half-focused on Didion in the first place.

My December reading categories were:

• Four anticipated 2024 releases that I still hadn’t read yet: The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich, The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman, Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson, and The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews

• Two holiday romances: Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters, Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark, and Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

In January, I want to read:

• One romance published over 15 years ago. (I’ve been toying with the idea of reading my way through romance history this year—more details to come?)

• One book that’s won the Booker, the Women’s Prize, the Pulitzer, or the National Book Award.

• One book that’s over 500 pages long

• One book recommended to me by a friend

Favorites of the month

The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman

In the days after King Arthur’s death, a band of unlikely heroes set out on a journey to keep the dream of Camelot alive. One of my favorites of the year, I got totally lost in this dazzling, astonishing epic achievement. Grossman blends together centuries worth of Arthurian mythology with a deft hand, while also making the story entirely his own. I loved this group of side characters thrust into the spotlight (a favorite fantasy trope of mine) and although we only get bits and pieces of her, I especially loved Grossman's take on Guinevere. It's dark, funny, hopeful, sprawling, and bold and it feels modern and mythical at the same time. I love a book that feels ambitious and big, a proper door-stopper of an epic, and the way everything comes together in the end is nothing short of magnificent.

All Change by Elizabeth Jane Howard (Cazalet Chronicles #5)

The fifth in Howard’s sprawling family saga finds the Cazalets facing an uncertain future in a world very different from the one they once knew. It’s a portrait of social change, a reflection on loss, and, most of all, a wide-ranging look at parents, children, and how our parents continue to shape us when we become parents ourselves. This is one of the books that got me choked up. At this point, I’ve spent thousands of pages with the Cazalets and company and they feel as familiar to me as old friends, every character rendered in perfectly chosen detail. The whole series is wonderfully expansive, compassionate towards its characters even at their worst, thoughtful, and deeply felt. There’s three more Cazelet novels coming, written by Howard’s niece, and I’m cautiously excited to see where she takes the family in the 1960’s and 70’s.

Doomsday Book by Connie Willis

Sent back centuries to the Middle Ages, historian Kivrin finds herself stranded while a crisis unfolds in both fourteenth century England and 2050’s Oxford. Gripping, incredibly well-researched, tragic, and hopeful, this is an exploration of humanity and history that rewards the patient reader. I loved this but should warn you that it’s definitely a bit slow to start. However, about 100 or 150 pages in, I was totally in and ignoring everything around me in favor or reading. The Middle Ages spring to life and the level of detail is amazing, helping craft a completely immersive reading experience. This is a shattering book and one that made me feel deeply. I finished and immediately wanted to recommend it far and wide.

Really liked

Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson (Jackson Brodie #6)

The latest installment in Atkinson’s mystery series finds private eye Jackson Brodie investigating a series of art thefts in a case that pays homage to the classic English mystery novel, complete with sprawling mansion, colorful cast of characters, and conveniently timed snowstorm. You could read this one on its own, although I’d heartily recommend the whole Jackson Brodie series and think it’d be helpful to come into this one with a dash of backstory. I’m a big fan of Atkinson’s narrative voice, skill with character, ability to craft a satisfying mystery resolution, and sly sense of humor. The nods to Golden Age mystery novels are especially fun here. This feels a bit like a book Atkinson wrote just because she wanted to and it's a great time.

Business Casual by B.K. Borison (Lovelight Farms #4)

A wonderfully charming, sparkling friends-to-lovers romance between prickly tattoo artist Nova and sunny business boy Charlie set in one of my favorite fictional small towns. I fell for both protagonists and found Charlie's character arc especially richly developed and satisfying, as he struggles with his need to prove himself and a thorny relationship with his father. If you like a hero who’s absolutely gone for the heroine from page one, I think you’ll love Charlie. The book exudes fall and Inglewild is just the right amount of quirky. Borison excels at imagery and description and that ability shines on every page here, from the wonderful sense of place to how carefully she captures her characters’ emotions. I’m so looking forward to her next book. (Open door, high steam.)

Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens

A charming, fizzy, funny romance about a divorced journalist who winds up writing a column about a series of dates selected by her children--and maybe falling for her office rival along the way. I really liked Anna, our heroine, and her journey towards reclaiming what she wants out of life and taking things as she wants them and not just as they come to her. (I’d especially recommend this if you’re looking for a slightly older romance heroine.) Will is a delightfully flirty, secretly soft love interest and I quite enjoyed his and Anna's chemistry. This book just feels cozy and kind and reassuring, a bit like a warm hug. (Closed door, although it tiptoes up to the line quite a bit more than Cousens’ previous novels.)

The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews (Belles of London #4)

The final novel in Matthews’ series of Victorian romances pairs silver-haired equstrienne Stella Hobhouse and unconventional painter Teddy Hayes, two people stubbornly determined to lead a bold life in a world that would rather shuffle them quietly off to the sidelines. Fittingly for a book about a painter, this one overflows with gorgeous visuals and shimmering emotion. Matthews has a talent for quiet moments that feel deeply significant and for stories that feel grounded yet swoony. I continue to love Evie, Julia, Anne, and Stella's friendship and steadfast loyalty to each other, the meticulous historical detail, and the yearning and depth of feeling beneath a perfectly proper Victorian surface. (Closed door.)

Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver

A compelling, chilling short story collection that captures ordinary lives in a time of upheaval, published decades after Oliver’s untimely death in 1966. It's a fascinating lens into the Civil Rights-era South from a writer who was living in the midst of it. Oliver excels at capturing both the larger sweep of society and the rich inner lives of her characters, as well as a strong sense of setting. Her prose is sharp, insightful, and blazing with energy and it’s fascinating to watch her experiment with form and style throughout this collection. Even if you’re not a big short story reader, give this collection a try. It has me wanting to read more short stories and go looking for more pieces of lesser known literary history in 2025.

Four Lost Cities by Annalee Newitz

An engrossing history of urban life and urban planning told through the histories of four lost cities: Catalhoyuk, Pompeii, Angkor, and Cahokia. It's an expansive, insightful look at how cities come together and fall apart that’s also full of fascinating tidbits about everyday life centuries ago, like how archaeologists figured out which side of the road ancient Romans drove on. As a lifelong history nerd, and someone who’s particularly interested in reading about the history of everyday life, I gobbled this up. Newitz's writing style is accessible yet deeply researched and I particularly enjoyed meeting all the archaeologists and experts they consulted, as well as the details about how the discipline has evolved. Absorbing, smart, and ultimately hopeful about the future of cities in our own turbulent present.

Maybe a minor Erdrich but still with lots to enjoy

The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich

Set in a small North Dakota community during the 2008 financial crisis, this novel revolves around an ill-fated teenage wedding. It's a novel with plenty to say about the relationship between humans and the earth, and some gorgeous nature writing; a portrait of a community at a precarious moment; a mother-daughter story; and a meditation on forgiveness. Personally, I was the most drawn to the mother-daughter relationship between Kismet and Crystal and the ecological themes. I was a little more mixed on the teenage love triangle and found the short chapters a little choppy. But it's funny and wise and has some breathtaking moments and a pretty perfect Eat, Pray, Love bookclub scene. Erdrich has a gift for seemingly simple sentences that blossom in your head. I spent 2024 reading my way through Erdrich’s backlist and think she’s always worth reading.

Very fun, with the tiniest of quibbles

This Will Be Fun by E.B. Asher

Ten years after they saved the realm at a high personal cost, three reluctant heroes must reunite on a new quest. This is a zany yet heartfelt romantic fantasy about friendship, healing, heroism, and the joys of magical Starbucks. One of my favorite things about this was how much fun the authors obviously had with translating modern-day creature comforts to a fantasy realm, from nut brews with caramel foam to a magical wagon-sharing service to a gambling and vacation destination with shades of Las Vegas. I also really liked our central characters, especially charming, roguish, secretly insecure Clare. What I did want were more tensely written action scenes and some tighter plotting, as the story unfolds at a bit of an ambling pace, but I still thought this was a highly entertaining read. (Open door, low steam.)

Three holiday romances that I liked but didn’t love

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

Five years after their devastating breakup, exes Charlotte and Brighton find themselves stuck at the same house for Christmas. Blake is so good at writing dynamic, flawed main characters and I appreciate how her romances are angsty yet swoony but one main character leaving the other at the altar is a high degree of difficulty and I don't know if I was completely sold on it. It's the kind of setup where I think there should be some epic groveling, instead of some "well, it's your fault I left you at the altar anyway". But I did find Charlotte and Brighton's connection compelling and really liked a lot of the side characters, especially Sloane and Adele, as well as the wintry Colorado setting and the way Blake writes about feelings and vulnerability. (Open door, high steam.)

Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark

An ensemble holiday romance about three siblings, all at a moment of personal crisis, who return to their mother’s Catskills mansion for the holidays. I was especially fond of the Belvedere siblings' mother, star of stage and screen Babs Belvedere, and the lovingly chaotic family dynamic on display, as well as the absurdly cozy Catskills setting. Of the three romances, Rafi and Ash's friends-to-lovers story was definitely my favorite. I also appreciated how much middle sister Birdie's plotline ultimately revolved around her coming to terms with her own messiness and issues, although it’s definitely on the more serious side for a holiday romance. My one quibble was the romance between eldest sister and TV showrunner Liz and her lead actress, which had my internal "call HR!" signal going off the whole time. (Open door, medium steam.)

Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters

A former child star in London for the holidays finds unexpected love and a new perspective on the movie that made her briefly famous—and that she loathes. For me, the highlights of this romance were the vivid descriptions of London during the holidays, Charlotte’s charming love interest Graham, and the meta commentary on the holiday romance genre. (Christmas, Truly, the movie Charlotte was in, is basically Love Actually and there’s some affectionate nods to the movie that delighted me.) Charlotte herself was an occasionally frustrating heroine for me. I quite liked both her forthrightness and her passion for her art but thought her hatred of Christmas, Truly and the entire festive season was a bit over the top, including how much she complained while being hosted by her sister for six whole weeks. But if you like a really Grinchy heroine, you might enjoy this one a lot! (Open door, medium steam, albeit on the lower side.)

Let me know your favorite read of December in the comments!

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Currently reading: Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson, a fantasy adventure with shades of The Princess Bride. I’m also slowly reading Ninth Street Women by Mary Gabriel, a hefty group biography of five female Abstract Expressionist artists that I’m planning to tackle for the entire month of January.

Recommendations, miscellany, and little bits of joy:

• Diving into the flood of Oscar hopefuls that come out near the end of the year! I recently saw The Brutalist (sometimes hard to watch but very much worth it) and A Complete Unknown (I was a believer in Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan and I feel vindicated ).

• A New Year’s Eve with a bunch of snacks from Trader Joe’s and a viewing of When Harry Met Sally, both a perfect New Year’s Eve movie and a perfect movie.

• My latest Etsy gifting find, a retro Dune t-shirt that was a big hit with my boyfriend. Maybe you also have a Dune lover in your life with a gift-giving occasion coming up?