What greater purpose is there for Christmas than to bring joy? Like a solid dose of goodness and JOY?!?!? For me, joy is found in all sorts of places during the holidays. In time with family, in a delicious meal, in a meaningful church service, in displays of lights, in song, in the perfect gift given.

In my regular, everyday, non-holiday life, joy often comes from books. So, it is with all these thoughts swirling together in my mind (a tornado of joy, per say) that today, in my post, I’m going to combine these two ideas and offer up a list of books to buy the readers on your holiday shopping list.

These books are not related to the holidays, but instead, is a list comprised of books I have thoroughly enjoyed that may match the wide array of people you may need to buy gifts for.

** I buy my books at a variety of locations including Birdy’s Bookstore and Barnes and Noble. I’d encourage you to purchase yours there as well. Click each store’s name to place an order. Otherwise all book titles/cover images listed below are linked to Amazon. **

For Middle Grade Readers

Millionaires for the Month by Stacy McAnulty

This book was inspired by a question we all ask ourselves: What would I do if I won the lottery? The main characters in this book face a similar question, but it is formed as a challenge. They need to spend 5 million dollars in a month. The only catch? They can’t tell anyone they have to spend it alllllllll and they have to use or consume everything they buy. The fun of this story is equally matched by the moral dilemmas the characters must face. The lessons and conversation starters buried in this book are beyond worth the price tag. If you want to listen to the first chapter (and an interview with the author) to see if it’s a good fit, click here.

An Adventure for Geeks and Empaths of All Ages

A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga

This story is meant for readers aged 8-12, but I adored it (and both of my parents read it and liked it as well!). The entire story stemmed from a question the author’s daughter asked while watching the Mars Rover launch back in 2020. “Momma, do you think the Rover is scared?” What if the Rover could feel human feelings? What Jasmine created from there is an adventure story both geeks and empaths will love. This book is the PERFECT read aloud for bedtime or the classroom. Listen to chapter 1 and an interview with Chicago based author Jasmine Warga here. (P.S. There are illustrations inside as beautiful as the cover image!)

For Young Adult Readers

The American Royals Series by Katharine McGee

This book series sucked me in with the premise… what if, when the revolutionaries asked George Washington to be King… he said “yes” instead of “no”. What if America was a Monarchy? What if, after all this time, America was about to have its first ruling Queen? It all spins out from there in dramatic fashion. There is sibling rivalry and romance and political intrigue and so, so much angsty-fun that fills these pages. I think my favorite part is that when I think, “pretty please don’t…” the author never does. Instead of leaning into a cliché or dragging things out needlessly, Katharine picks a different path and does so decisively quick making this series of stories binge-worthy.

For Epic Fantasy Lovers

The Storm Light Archive by Brandon Sanderson

I first heard about this book series from my uncle and cousin and was pulled in by their exclamations about the incredible world building and then stayed for the characters. And when I say stayed, I really mean it. I choose to listen to most of my adult fiction and am on my third book in this series… each of which boasts an audiobook of 48+ hours. Each installment takes me months… but it’s worth it. So worth it. If you like intricate plots, epic world building, compelling characters and truly masterful storytelling (and if you are patient) give book one: The Way of Kings, a try.

For Readers of Light and Funny Fiction

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

Oh boy is this one funny. I adore the characters, their dark humor (but not too graphic) and all the trouble they get themselves into (and eventually out of). It probably sounds weird to say this is a funny murder mystery, but it is! The book starts with writer Finlay Donovan telling her agent about the plot of her newest book (a thriller) over lunch at Panera. A woman overhears them talking and mistakes Finlay for a hit woman. Before Finlay knows what’s happening, she’s been hired to kill the woman’s husband. Which she definitely has no intentions of doing. But her curiosity gets the better of her and she just has to know… who is the man and what makes him so… killable? It all spirals hilariously (and dangerously) from there.

For Those Adults Who Love Page Turners

State of Terror by Hilary Clinton (yes, that Hilary) and Louise Penny

The most fascinating part of this book (for me) was wondering… how much of this is true? Did something like this really happen? I guess that’s what happens when the former US Secretary of State writes a book in which the main characters is the current US Secretary of State. I’m not talking about the huge international and domestic terrorist threat that serves as the book’s major plot point, I’m talking about the nuanced relationships, the use of spies, and the inner workings of a White House staff. This book was as interesting as it was compelling. I just had to keep listening to see what happened next!

For Those Interested in Adult Fantasy (Disguised as Social Commentary)

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

To be completely honest, I haven’t finished listening to this book yet. But I can tell you that at 7 chapters in I bought a copy for my mom. Supposedly in 1955 over 600,000 mothers and wives had enough with life-as-they-knew-it and spontaneously turned into dragons. They were never seen again. Stranger than a nation missing a massive portion of its caretakers is the fact that ev-er-y-one refused to discuss or even acknowledge the event (or the hole it has left behind). Witty, on the nose, introspective, and sometimes darn near enraging… this novel is different in all the best ways and I can’t wait to see what happens next and how it ends.

For more reading recommendations, you can see the full list of books I read in 2022 here, as well as archived lists for 2019-2021, or visit the First Chapter Friday Read Aloud Playlist on my YouTube channel (specifically for middle grade and YA selections).

Finally, if you’d like to gift a book I have written, you can find the full line up of my titles (from a variety of purchasing options) right here.

Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!

Amanda

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy…

More Middle Grade Books — The Best Books I read Last Year — My 2019 Fav Reads, perhaps my favorite year of reading, EVER.

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