Small businesses — bookstores included— are encouraging shoppers to shop early this year for the holidays. Maybe you’ll find a gem at Harvard Bookstore or your own local indie. Something specific in mind and no local store? Check out Bookshop.org that supports independent bookstores across the country.
As I’m putting together my November newsletter, I’m reflecting on books I read this year that I really want to recommend to all of you, plus some of my favorite gift items. So I thought I’d open up the question to all of you as well:
What books are you recommending/gifting this holiday season and why? What local authors/bookstores/literacy programs are you planning to support?
I'll go first! The Writer's Loft where I lead the Speculative Fiction Variety Hour has put out a brand new, beautifully illustrated anthology of underwater-themed children's poetry entitled FRIENDS AND ANEMONES (such a great title, right??) featuring local authors and illustrators from the Loft. They're having a free virtual launch event THIS SUNDAY and you can order signed copies from the Blue Bunny Bookstore. https://www.thewritersloft.org/anemones
"Dwellers in the House of the Lord: A Poem" by Wesley McNair. I read it in one Saturday-morning sitting, in time for the election, and it has stayed with me. It is memorable and timely and approachable, even for someone who doesn't read poetry. Despite its political theme, the author reminds us gently and tenderly that everyone deserves to at least be heard and understood. Many of us take comfort in the Biden victory, but nearly half of the country doesn't feel the same. This book inspires empathy and determining reconciliation with family and friends who understand the world differently. Everyone's lens is bent, but some are bent by heartbreak more so than others.
DIGGING FOR WORDS: Jose Alberto Gutierrez and the Library He Built by Angela Kunkel. The best biographical stories read like a fairy tale and DIGGING FOR WORDS does just that! From its lyrical opening line to the mix of reality and fantasy drawn in the illustrations, this is a book for everyone who loves an amazing story – the extra reward is that the story is true! You will stay on pages just to read lines over and over while still anxiously flipping to learn how a young boy named Jose and a garbage man named Jose will connect. I’m not going to give it away. But if you love books, and goodness, and libraries, and a book filled with joyful heart and a soul feeding color palette – this book will become your new favorite.
HOW LONG IS FOREVER? by -- okay shameless self promotion here -- by Kelly Carey - but this a wonderful book to share across generations to celebrate the timelessness of love and pie!! Who doesn't like pie at holiday time? A great book for a grandparent to gift to a grandchild as Mason searches the family farm to prove to Grandpa that he really does know how long forever is!
DIGGING FOR WORDS sounds beautiful! In the vein of librarian-loving picturebooks, readers can also check out "Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré" by Anika Denise.
I also want to put in a plug for for Kelly's book! I bought it for my sister (a farm & blueberry pie lover) to read to my kids over Zoom. SO sweet and extra meaningful in this time of social distance.
What writer or reader wouldn't love a story about a library! Thanks for the recommendation. Nothing shameless about promoting something you must have worked hard on!
Oh my gosh, I didn't make the connection! Thanks for reminding of me of those (my kids like Xavier Riddle which I think was inspired by some of these?)
With Gabbert it's the precision of her writing and it inspired me to focus on each sentence I write. Berlin is one of those stories that builds flawed characters and as you get to know them they start opening up the wider world of mid-century Germany. It's an amazing 20 year project for Jason Lutes, and that feeling of living with the people is palpable.
I just finished HOMELAND ELEGIES by Ayad Akhtar. He applies the lens of being Muslim American to this auto-fiction story, but his insights into current day America are universal and unnerving.
For local authors, I'm now reading Claire Messud's essays collected in KANT'S LITTLE PRUSSIAN HEAD & OTHER REASONS WHY I WRITE. Her critical writing about others' books is positively brilliant.
I don't read a lot of poetry but when I do, I often turn to Jeffrey Harrison, also local. His new book BETWEEN LAKES is just out. He has an uncanny way of turning an everyday event into one that is contemplative, sometimes wrenching. In other words, his poems are accessible even to a non-poetry reader like me, but they transport me.
Trident Books in Boston offers on-line ordering and curbside pickup which is terrific. When we get around to culling our overflowing bookshelves, we recycle books with More Than Words. MTW resells books and has a strong social justice mission.
I work for a small publisher in Maine, Penobscot Books, and we have a couple of Lobster/Lobsterman themed books coming out for the holidays that would make great gifts. THE LIFE OF A MAINE LOBSTERMAN is a memoir by Andrew Gove who was a lobsterman for 82 years! MAINE LOBSTER ABC is an illustrated children's book with lots of fun and educational information about lobster and lobster fishing. https://www.penbaypress.me/
I'll go first! The Writer's Loft where I lead the Speculative Fiction Variety Hour has put out a brand new, beautifully illustrated anthology of underwater-themed children's poetry entitled FRIENDS AND ANEMONES (such a great title, right??) featuring local authors and illustrators from the Loft. They're having a free virtual launch event THIS SUNDAY and you can order signed copies from the Blue Bunny Bookstore. https://www.thewritersloft.org/anemones
"Dwellers in the House of the Lord: A Poem" by Wesley McNair. I read it in one Saturday-morning sitting, in time for the election, and it has stayed with me. It is memorable and timely and approachable, even for someone who doesn't read poetry. Despite its political theme, the author reminds us gently and tenderly that everyone deserves to at least be heard and understood. Many of us take comfort in the Biden victory, but nearly half of the country doesn't feel the same. This book inspires empathy and determining reconciliation with family and friends who understand the world differently. Everyone's lens is bent, but some are bent by heartbreak more so than others.
This sounds like such a meaningful read, thanks for sharing!
DIGGING FOR WORDS: Jose Alberto Gutierrez and the Library He Built by Angela Kunkel. The best biographical stories read like a fairy tale and DIGGING FOR WORDS does just that! From its lyrical opening line to the mix of reality and fantasy drawn in the illustrations, this is a book for everyone who loves an amazing story – the extra reward is that the story is true! You will stay on pages just to read lines over and over while still anxiously flipping to learn how a young boy named Jose and a garbage man named Jose will connect. I’m not going to give it away. But if you love books, and goodness, and libraries, and a book filled with joyful heart and a soul feeding color palette – this book will become your new favorite.
HOW LONG IS FOREVER? by -- okay shameless self promotion here -- by Kelly Carey - but this a wonderful book to share across generations to celebrate the timelessness of love and pie!! Who doesn't like pie at holiday time? A great book for a grandparent to gift to a grandchild as Mason searches the family farm to prove to Grandpa that he really does know how long forever is!
DIGGING FOR WORDS sounds beautiful! In the vein of librarian-loving picturebooks, readers can also check out "Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré" by Anika Denise.
I also want to put in a plug for for Kelly's book! I bought it for my sister (a farm & blueberry pie lover) to read to my kids over Zoom. SO sweet and extra meaningful in this time of social distance.
You just made me so happy! Thanks Allison!
What writer or reader wouldn't love a story about a library! Thanks for the recommendation. Nothing shameless about promoting something you must have worked hard on!
I'd LOVE for the HARVARD Book Shop to sell my IVY LEAGUE book www.lionstigersbulldogs.com but I ALWAYS love Brad Meltzer's stuff
Great rec, Matt! There's always someone on my list who loves thrillers and I hadn't heard of Meltzer before, thanks!
I meant his kids books, but yes ;)
Oh my gosh, I didn't make the connection! Thanks for reminding of me of those (my kids like Xavier Riddle which I think was inspired by some of these?)
"Berlin" by Jeff Lutes and "The Word Pretty" by Elisa Gabbert
Thanks! What did you enjoy about these Jeremy?
With Gabbert it's the precision of her writing and it inspired me to focus on each sentence I write. Berlin is one of those stories that builds flawed characters and as you get to know them they start opening up the wider world of mid-century Germany. It's an amazing 20 year project for Jason Lutes, and that feeling of living with the people is palpable.
I just finished HOMELAND ELEGIES by Ayad Akhtar. He applies the lens of being Muslim American to this auto-fiction story, but his insights into current day America are universal and unnerving.
For local authors, I'm now reading Claire Messud's essays collected in KANT'S LITTLE PRUSSIAN HEAD & OTHER REASONS WHY I WRITE. Her critical writing about others' books is positively brilliant.
I don't read a lot of poetry but when I do, I often turn to Jeffrey Harrison, also local. His new book BETWEEN LAKES is just out. He has an uncanny way of turning an everyday event into one that is contemplative, sometimes wrenching. In other words, his poems are accessible even to a non-poetry reader like me, but they transport me.
Trident Books in Boston offers on-line ordering and curbside pickup which is terrific. When we get around to culling our overflowing bookshelves, we recycle books with More Than Words. MTW resells books and has a strong social justice mission.
I looooove Trident, haven't been there in ages, and MTW is such a great program! Thanks for these incredible recommendations!
I work for a small publisher in Maine, Penobscot Books, and we have a couple of Lobster/Lobsterman themed books coming out for the holidays that would make great gifts. THE LIFE OF A MAINE LOBSTERMAN is a memoir by Andrew Gove who was a lobsterman for 82 years! MAINE LOBSTER ABC is an illustrated children's book with lots of fun and educational information about lobster and lobster fishing. https://www.penbaypress.me/
We also recently published CORONA ISLAND a fictional tale to empower children during the time of the coronavirus.
LOVE local titles and presses! Thanks for sharing!
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz and The Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende