The holidays are great for spending time with friends and family, but if you have ever wanted to just sneak off with a book and find a cozy corner to read, we’ve got you covered.
Whether you’re looking for a personalized gift for a booklover or just wanting a new book to curl up with this season, the Recorder has put together a list of recommendations — including new releases — from a few local bookstores.
“I think that’s one of the best things about books — about reading — is connecting with other people that you may or may not ever have a conversation with,” said elle roberts, community programs manager of Indy Reads. “But learning about the world around you is so important, and reading is one way to do that.”
Adult
“The Wedding People” by Allison Espach is a lovely, liberating, hilarious novel that is the perfect mom gift, Julia Breakey, co-owner of Tomorrow Bookstore, said in an email. Published in July, Espach’s general fiction novel was named one of the New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice and is “sure to lighten up the dark nights this holiday season,” Breakey said.
Diving a little deeper into the fictional world of contemporary fiction and magical realism, Miye Lee’s “The Dallergut Dream Department Store” is about a store that sells dreams and the people who work in it. Also published in July, Lee’s novel features an English translation by Sandy Joosun Lee and belongs to a growing South Korean genre dubbed “healing fiction.” Breakey said the book is for anyone “exhausted from the reality of daily life.”
“The Message” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, which was just recently published on Oct. 1, is roberts’ personal recommendation for a winter read. The nonfiction book of essays tackles issues of discrimination, race relations and violence within society — and is already a New York Times Bestseller.
“Coates really lifts up the connections between oppressive forces here in the U.S. and abroad,” roberts said, “and one section specifically explores the struggle for liberation in Palestine.”
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However, not everyone has time to dive into a new novel over the holiday break, so for those looking for a quick, humorous gift for family members or something silly to rest on a coffee table, Breakey recommends “The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America” by Matt Kracht.
The book was originally published in 2019 and both educates readers about birds and makes fun of them to the enjoyment of avid birders and anti-birders.
“It’s a small book, reasonably priced and doesn’t require total commitment,” Breakey said. “So, I think it’s a perfect white elephant gift!”
Young adult
For teens and young adults, roberts always recommends the contemporary fantasy novel “Legendborn” by Tracy Deonn. Although the book is a little older, published in 2022, it won the Coretta Scott King — John Steptoe for New Talent Author Award.
“It’s a fun and exciting book that features a Black teenage protagonist, and she discovers that magic exists while she’s dealing with some family issues,” roberts said. “It’s a really cool twist on the Knights of the Round Table, and it’s so much about how the past still affects us no matter what we do.”
“The Lost Souls of Benzaiten” by Kelly Murashige is another contemporary fantasy novel for young adult readers, and Breakey described it as “strange and delightful.” Published in July, Murashige’s novel is about a young teen who appears at the altar of Japanese goddess Benzaiten and requests to become a round vacuum cleaner.
“This one is for readers who like a little bit of a weird story, and is perfect for even the most avid readers because it’s by a small press and sorely underrated,” Breakey said.
Middle grade
“Impossible Creatures” by Katherine Rundell is an action/adventure, fantasy book published in September that follows protagonists Mal and Christopher as they race to discover why magic is fading from the land.
“This is pure adventure that kids and adults will love,” Breakey said. “It includes a magical bestiary at the back and it made me cry but in a beautiful way.”
“House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros was originally published in 1991 but is one of roberts’ personal favorites for middle grade and younger readers. This Hispanic coming of age story has sold more than 60 million copies, been translated into 20 languages and is required reading in many schools across the country.
“The protagonist in that story is a younger girl, a Latinx girl, and she is in love with her community and just talks about what it’s like to live in her neighborhood,” roberts said. “It’s an easy, quick read and feels like kind of taking a vacation without taking a vacation.”
Picture books
For younger readers or those still learning how to read, Breakey suggests “The Perfect Tree” by Corinne Demas, illustrated by local artist Penelope Dullaghan. This short and sweet, holiday-themed picture book was published in 2022 and follows Bunny as she looks for the perfect Christmas tree.
“The Night Market” by Seina Wedlick, illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, was just published in September and tells “a magical tale of a girl wandering through a Nigerian night market, finding adventure and magic in every stall,” Breakey said.
Breakey said both books are “perfect for bringing magic into the long nights ahead.”
“A is for Activist” by Innosanto Nagara, is an ABC board book that introduces the next generation to concepts of activist, environmental justice and civil rights through alliteration, rhyming and illustration. The book made the list of NPR’s Top 100 Books for Young Readers and is one of roberts’ favorites to introduce to new readers.
“It goes through the ABCs and really introduces younger readers to social justice concepts that are very familiar to their everyday lives,” roberts said. “I love that book so much. I buy it for kids in my own life pretty much every holiday season.”
Indy Reads will be open during the holidays, except for Thanksgiving and Black Friday Nov. 28-29. The store also features an entire section for children’s literature in-store and hosts a story time on Saturdays. Indy Reads will reopen the Saturday following Thanksgiving for Small Business Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Nov. 30.
Tomorrow Bookstore is open for Midnight Shopper until 10 p.m. on Nov. 22 and hosting a $4/5/6 book sale and a $15 T-shirt sale on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
For more information about books, gift ideas or holiday programing at Tomorrow Bookstore and Indy Reads, visit facebook.com/tomorrowbookstore and indyreads.org.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
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