At Year's End

I’m going to be honest—I’ve begun this month’s newsletter a half dozen times, only to abandon it when my brain (over-stimulated by my day jobs, editing work, current book WIPs, kids’ activities, holiday gift buying, multiple December birthdays, cookie baking, snow days… ) abruptly short-circuited.

(Actually, to mix metaphors terribly, I dropped this particular ball at the end of last month, when I fully intended to write a pithy little post about gratitude in the face of hard times, etc etc, and just… never finished it. Apologies!)

So in the interest of actually managing to get something written, I thought it might be fun to look back at the books I’ve read in 2024 and offer gift recommendations for the readers in your lives! Books for everyone! All the books!!

The Measure, by Nikki Erlick

This was one of my book club’s picks, and it generated some very interesting discussions!

One day, boxes containing lengths of string show up on doorsteps around the world. The strings show the length of the receiver’s life. Told from multiple perspectives, it delves into questions of what we should do—both as individuals and as a society—if everyone suddenly knew exactly how long they had to live.

The Other Dickens, by Lillian Nayder

We all know Charles Dickens—author, philanthropist, and family man. But what about his wife Catherine? In this biography, Lillian Nayder takes us through the life of Catherine Dickens, née Hogarth, from her childhood in Edinburgh and London, to her marriage to Dickens, through to her death years after after he famously cast her aside for a much younger woman. I knew almost nothing about Catherine Dickens prior to reading this biography beyond a vague recollection that her husband had, at some point, tried to have her committed to an asylum; in Nayder’s capable hands we see her as a whole person, fascinating in her own right and not just because of the man to whom she was married.

The Rhino Keeper, by Jillian Forsberg

Using a dual timeline narrative, this poignant book tells the true story of Clara the Rhino and the Dutch sea captain who brought her on tour across Europe in the 18th century. Full disclosure: Jillian Forsberg sent me The Rhino Keeper for a potential endorsement, which I happily gave after I had finished reading!

My official endorsement: Rich with adventure, historical detail, and love of all kinds, THE RHINO KEEPER is an enchanting true story. Jillian Forsberg brings Clara the rhinoceros and the humans who cared for her to vivid life, deftly interlacing the dual timelines to create a poignant tale that spans both continents and centuries. Just as the 18th century Europeans who flocked to meet Clara could not help but be changed by knowing her, readers of Forsberg's accomplished debut will find their hearts expanded with each page they turn.

Sunshine, by Robin McKinley

A human/vampire romance that… isn’t. Quite.

Set in a non-specific future in which humans and “Others” fought wars for dominance, this is the story of “Sunshine” (a nickname), a slightly grumpy twenty-something baker of giant cinnamon rolls who finds herself, one night, abducted by vampires.

Sunshine is, honestly, kind of hard to describe without giving too much away. There is an element of self-discovery to it, as well as a love story, though this is deeply complicated. (It’s my personal favorite sort of love story, though—or perhaps I should say love stories—the sort that involves not just amorous feelings but ride-or-die friendship and people just getting one another.)

Most of McKinley’s books were written for a Young Adult audience. Sunshine was most definitely written for adults, though when I searched it just now I discovered that it has recently been put out with a fresh cover and a YA tag, which I have… complicated feelings about, to say the least. (Perhaps a future post will be about the way very adult themes seem increasingly to be creeping into YA fiction…)

Anyway, McKinley can be a bit rambly in her writing style—rather like me in this snippet about her book. But her protagonist’s voice is pitch-perfect, her characterizations are brilliant, and her world-building is fascinating. Also, if you’ve ever worked in a coffeeshop or bakery, you’ll definitely recognize the experience in the way she describes that mixture of deep affection employees feel for certain customers, their loathing of others, and the general end-of-day bone-deep exhaustion.

The Bandit Queens, by Parini Shroff

This was another pick by my book club, and it was a fun read that nevertheless deals with some heavy themes. It’s the story of Geeta, a woman whose husband has disappeared mysteriously (and whose entire village assumes she killed him). Though she didn’t, her status as a “self-made widow” gives her the freedom to live her life as she chooses—which means other women start coming to her asking for help ridding them of their own terrible husbands.

Spindle’s End, by Robin McKinley

Yes, Robin McKinley appears twice on this list. No, I will not apologize. Her books, for me, are the ultimate comfort read, which is why you will generally find one or more of them on my reading round-up in any given year.

Spindle’s End is her retelling of “Sleeping Beauty,” and in true McKinley fashion, the story is equal parts delightful and poignant. There are talking animals! And a princess who hates her beautiful hair! And a curmudgeonly blacksmith who also happens to be a fairy! There’s also deep and abiding friendship, and chosen family, and complicated feelings about growing up (and watching one’s children grow up). Honestly, I enjoyed this one every bit as much as an adult as I did when I first read it 24 years ago.

The Story of Holly and Ivy, by Margaret Rumer Godden.

Ivy, an orphan, Holly, a doll, and Mrs. Jones, the wife of a police officer, each make a wish. Their wishes bring them together in time for Christmas in the most heart-warming way.

This has been my personal favorite Christmas book since I was a child myself, and now that I have kids of my own, I look forward to reading it to them every year. Not only is the story full of all the warm, holiday feels, there is a beautiful cadence to the words that just makes it a pleasure to read aloud.

And despite the fact that all the self-promotion required of authors makes me want to hide under the nearest table, I suppose this is the place where I should plug my own books as holiday gifts. They are:

The Clergyman’s Wife. A continuation of Pride and Prejudice that centers Charlotte Lucas and her marriage to Mr. Collins, and asks what might happen if Charlotte were to fall in love. You don’t have to have read Jane Austen’s original to enjoy this one (though it IS perfect for the Janeites in your life!)

The Heiress. Another P&P continuation/retelling, this one from the perspective of Anne de Bourgh. Gothic and sapphic vibes abound as we explore what it was that made Anne so “sickly” in Austen’s original, and see her finally take control of her own life. Perfect for Jane Austen aficionados and historical fiction lovers alike!

Marvelous. A historical take on the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, this is the true story of Pedro Gonzales, a man born in the 1500s with hair all over his face and body, who was given as a gift to King Henri II of France and married off by Queen Catherine de’ Medici to a beautiful merchant’s daughter. It’s the perfect read for lovers of retellings, historical fiction, and books about marriage, love, and family.

I would also be remiss if I didn’t thank the readers who chose to support this newsletter by pledging financially. This was not something I expected or looked for, but I am so grateful for it nonetheless. In the new year, I’m hoping to have the brain space to come up with a plan to offer value to those who choose to become paid subscribers (though the bulk of posts will continue to be free for all!)

Happy Holidays to each and every one of you, whatever and however you celebrate. Wishing you warmth, love, and good reading, now and in the year ahead!