Gift idea lists started floating around the Internet the week of Thanksgiving. I considered adding my own Word Nerd edition to the mix. But here’s the thing. The part of Christmas I dread, the part that makes me want to avoid leaving my home this time of year, is SHOPPING. COMMERCIALISM. That special December (or perhaps more accurately these days, October) pressure to buy the things.
I don’t need more things. In fact, the theme in my house for 2024 was “purge.” That theme will continue into 2025 because, well, we only got to the basement. :/ I’m guessing many of you also don’t need more stuff. However, one can never have too many books. Books can be shared, re-gifted, donated to the local library or free little library. Books offer education, inspiration, armchair travels, suspense, and laughter. Those sound like excellent gifts to me.
Favorites from a year of reading
I did better with my reading goals this year, quickly closing in on my 30 titles for 2024. Listening to audio books helps. (Yes, you doubters, that does count as reading!) I recommend several- click the links to read my reviews:
- The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt: non-fiction about the role of the internet and social media in the emotional development of children. Lots of data and ideas worth considering.
- Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray: Historical fiction about the life of Frances Perkins, the first woman appointed to a US President’s Cabinet.
- Those We Thought We Knew by David Joy: Fiction set in the mountains of North Carolina that unflinchingly and thoughtfully explores how racism affects communities.
- The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer. Christian based self improvement
- The Maid by Nita Prose: A funny fiction mystery – a good antidote to the seriousness of our times and my other reading!
Titles I’ve got my eye on for next year
My “to read” list grows with the exuberance of a two year old. But I’m not daunted. Next year, I hope to spend more time reading newsletters, Substack, quality journalism I’m willing to pay for, (like Cardinal News), and of course, books! Titles I’m looking forward to include:
- The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest (self help)
- Patriot: A Memoir by Alexei Navalny (biography)
- The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon (non fiction)
- Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Issacson (biography)
- More David Joy!
I’m excited and inspired by this list, but do you see the problem with it? Hardly any fiction. I need fiction recs! Please share in the comments or shoot me an email. I’m not a fan of space or sci fi so keep those to yourself. 😉
Shop for books responsibly
I’m newly irritated with Jeff Bezos, current owner of The Washington Post, for refusing to endorse a candidate in the 2024 Election in the name of objectivity. I suspect he actually was more concerned about the guy rolling into Washington in January than journalistic standards. Besides, I’m tired of his company taking over the world. So, I’m currently trying to divest from Amazon (for a person living in a rural community with few shopping options, this is hard.) If you buy books this holiday season, consider using Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores.
In that vein, please suggest viable replacements for Goodreads and Audible, also part of Amazon. 🙁
Happy reading and don’t sweat the shopping!
Thanks for getting nerdy with me!
If you don’t care for sci-fi, you might not like fantasy, either. But there’s a new (2022) little (90 pages) young adult fantasy, “Tsula Man,” by a newcomer to Wythe County (Miriam Beckwith). You may be halfway through it before you realize it IS a fantasy. Central character is a 14-year-old orphan girl growing up fast to take care of her grandmother’s mental decline. But what starts out like a coming-of-age tale morphs into a fascinating take on shape-changers and a love of a forest. It’s technically YA but I (definitely not YA) enjoyed it. Available at all the usual places (Amazon, B&N, or the publisher itself, The Dramatic Pen Press).