Something To Read
8 books I want to put under your tree, plus a couple more things
Years ago, author Glennon Doyle told readers she gives four gifts to family members each year: Something You Want, Something You Need, Something To Wear, Something To Read. Whether or not she continues to offer these four gifts to her family, much to my boys’ chagrin,1 we’ve put this idea into practice for several years now.
Of course, my favorite of the four offerings is the Something To Read category. I love going to our local bookstore and browsing until I find that just perfect book for my husband and our two sons. James always goes for nonfiction (and if Kerry Washington came out with a new memoir every year, he’d be all over it). Our oldest digs graphic novels like New Kid and our youngest likes middle grade novels like Bob, which is all about belonging and just downright gorgeous.
All that to say, if I were to stand in a bookstore and prompt book offerings for each of you, I’d beg you to pick up one of the following books. They’re also, as the story goes, my favorite books of the last year.
Fiction:
The Correspondent (Virginia Evans, 2025): The power of letter-writing over a lifetime, sent by and received from a most lovable character. This made me want to write good stories and start writing a few good letters too.
James (Percival Everett, 2024): If you read anything by Mark Twain in an American Lit course, do consider rehearing the story of Huck Finn from the perspective of Jim (or as we soon learn, from James). It was glorious.
Nonfiction:
The Deepest South of All (Richard Grant, 2021): I mean, y’all know I have a thing for Mississippi.2 I loved this story of Natchez, Mississippi — the quirkiness, the weirdness, the history, and the Southernness of it all.
Contemplating Christ (Vincent Pizzuto, 2018): Obviously, this is better-suited for a Christian or spiritual audience, but I learned so much about the contemplative movement and the One at the center of it all.3
Young Adult (YA):
The Crossover (Kwame Alexander, 2019): My younger son and I recently read this free verse story of a couple of twin brothers who love basketball and it was everything a YA novel should be: young-adult hilarious and also deeply emotive.
Middle Grade (MG):
Wildwood (Colin Meloy, 2012): My younger son and I also recently read this epic tale, and while it took us a little while to get into it, we found ourselves rather vested in a story that wasn’t too hard to imagine. Portlanders must pick it up!
For the Gardener:
The Serviceberry (Robin Wall Kimmerer, 2024): For those of us who call ourselves gardeners, Robin Wall Kimmerer is like a god among us. I loved sitting down and soaking up her thoughts in a single afternoon. It’s a quick read!
For the Writer:
1000 Words (Jami Attenberg, 2025): I don’t always love compilation books, but the variety of writers offering their thoughts on what it means to be a creative, even when it’s hard — because you can’t not write — was exactly what I needed to read.
Happy reading!
c.
I would be remiss not to tell you about a couple more things, because, tis the season!
First, I’m delighted to offer a guided solo retreat in the upcoming collection, Take More Retreats: Volume One alongside the indomitable Charlotte Donlan. Anyone who wants to flourish anyway (including those who write and journal) can preorder through the end of the month. Be sure to use the code PREORDERCARA5!
Second, if you loved CHURCH CAMP, cast a vote for it through The Englewood Review of Books Readers Best Awards! Contest ends on Monday, December 22nd, so cast your campy vote now.
Finally, I was honored to chat with Molly Wadzeck for a HuffPost article titled, “People Who Left ‘MAGA Christianity’ Share What It Really Took To Step Away.” It’s a powerful read, I’ll tell you that much, and also features Anna Rollins, Tia Levings, and Deirdre Sugiuchi.
Make yourself a cuppa and sit down with it when you have a couple of minutes.
They’d love to not be limited to four presents alone. I get it. They’re children. But also? Santa’s on a budget.
Dare I say this love takes up half of my first book? Do pick up a copy of The Color of Life if you haven’t yet read it.