14th Annual Holiday Shopping Guide

by Donna Huber

I love putting together the annual books to give list. It's probably why the Holiday Shopping Guide is one of the few things I started the first year of Girl Who Reads that I still do today. If you have readers on your gift list this year (or if you want to get a gift for yourself) here are some of the best books I've read this year. Surprisingly, out of the 138 books I've read so far only 6 received 5 stars, but I have a few other books that were really close to getting 5 stars so they're on this list as well.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Many of the books on this list were provided free for an honest review.

Crime Fiction

This is probably the genre I read the most this year, so I have a few recommendations.

Shades of Mercy by Bruce Borgos

Porter Beck is the sheriff in the high desert of Nevada, doing the same lawman's job his father once did now that he's returned home after decades away. With his twelve person department, they cover a large area that is usually very quiet, but not of late. One childhood friend is the latest to succumb to a new wave of particularly strong illegal opioids, another childhood friend—now an enormously successful rancher—is targeted by a military drone, hacked and commandeered by an unknown source. The hacker is apparently local—local enough to call out Beck by name—and that means they are Beck's problem.

This is book 2 but I haven't read book 1 (my mystery book club is reading book 1 in a few months). I don't usually love modern day spy thrillers but this one had many of the things I love about Cold War-era spy novels. I loved the characters and everything about this book - it's why I gave it 5 stars. Read my full review of this action-packed spy thriller.

Buy Shades of Mercy at Amazon

The Truth about the Devlins by Lisa Scottoline

TJ Devlin is the charming disappointment in the prominent Devlin family, all of whom are lawyers at their highly successful firm—except him. After a stint in prison and rehab for alcoholism, TJ can’t get hired anywhere except at the firm, in a make-work job with the title of investigator.

I'm not sure there is anyone who writes dysfunctional family better than Lisa Scottoline. I had so many emotions while reading this book. It is so good that I didn't want to put it down. It got 5 stars from me. Read my full review of this excellent domestic thriller.

Buy The Truth about the Devlins at Amazon

Daughter of Mine by Miranda Megan

When Hazel Sharp, daughter of Mirror Lake’s longtime local detective, unexpectedly inherits her childhood home, she’s warily drawn back to the town—and people—she left behind almost a decade earlier. But Hazel’s not the only relic of the past to return: a drought has descended on the region, and as the water level in the lake drops, long-hidden secrets begin to emerge…including evidence that may help finally explain the mystery of her mother’s disappearance.

I didn't want to put this novel down and consumed it in big chunks. It is so good. It also got 5 stars. Read my full review of this consuming domestic thriller. 

Buy Daughter of Mine at Amazon

The Hitwoman and the Body by JB Lynn

When mob boss Delveccio is framed for murder, it's up to everyone's favorite hitwoman to prove he didn't do it.

I love this series and I'm woefully behind. The Hitwoman and the Body is book 27 in the series and there are 45 books total so far in the series. The whole series is a quick, fun read. I had hopes of catching up this year, but I only read 1 book in the series. It got 5 stars! You can check out my reviews of the previous books in the series. It would be a great series for someone who likes to binge read.

Buy The Hitwoman and the Body at Amazon

The Christmas Jigsaw Murders by Alexandra Benedict

On 1st of December, renowned puzzle setter, loner and Christmas sceptic Carla Murphy finds a hand-delivered present on her doorstep. Unwrapping it, she finds a jigsaw box with a question mark on the lid, and, inside, six jigsaw pieces. When fitted together, the pieces show part of a crime scene – blood-spattered black and white tiles and part of an outlined body. On the back of the pieces is a message: ‘His death takes place on the solstice, unless you can put together the pieces,’ along with a clue to the location of more pieces.

This is a good Christmas mystery. It balanced the Christmas spirit with the grim reality of a murder mystery well. I liked that the curmudgeon who hates all things Christmas is a female yet she is actually a very kind character - she just doesn't like Christmas. If you have someone on your list who loves riddles and puzzles, then this is a great choice for them. Check out my review.

Buy The Christmas Jigsaw Murders at Amazon

Historical Fiction

This is a popular genre so I have a few books I highly recommend.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is not your average woman. In fact, Elizabeth Zott would be the first to point out that there is no such thing as an average woman. But it’s the early 1960s and her all-male team at Hastings Research Institute takes a very unscientific view of equality. Except for one: Calvin Evans; the lonely, brilliant, Nobel–prize nominated grudge-holder who falls in love with—of all things—her mind. True chemistry results.

I had to wait 4 months to get the audiobook from my library through Libby. But it was so worth the wait. When it first came out, I thought it was a rom-com, but then I started to see the trailers for the television show and knew I had to read it. The audiobook is well done and really brought the story to life. If you haven't read it, what are you waiting for? It's one of the few books I read this year that wasn't for review. It was easy to give it 5 stars. 

Buy Lessons in Chemistry at Amazon

Where Coyotes Howl by Sandra Dallas

1916. The two-street town of Wallace is not exactly what Ellen Webster had in mind when she accepted a teaching position in Wyoming, but within a year’s time she’s fallen in love—both with the High Plains and with a handsome cowboy named Charlie Bacon. Life is not easy in the flat, brown corner of the state where winter blizzards are unforgiving and the summer heat relentless. But Ellen and Charlie face it all together, their relationship growing stronger with each shared success, and each deeply felt tragedy.

If you enjoyed Kristin Hannah's The Four Winds then you will want to read this book. It was so good, but be prepared for some heartbreak. Life on the Wyoming prairie was not easy in the early 1900s. Read my review of this 5 star book. 

Buy Where Coyotes Howl at Amazon

Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray

Raised on tales of her revolutionary ancestors, Frances Perkins arrives in New York City at the turn of the century, armed with her trusty parasol and an unyielding determination to make a difference.

I love books about women in history. I didn't know who was the first female cabinet member nor anything about Frances Perkins. This was an excellent book and it really bright to light what conditions were like before we had things like OSHA, workers' comp, child labor laws, and Social Security. I also like learning about the political fight surrounding these things. Read my full review.

Buy Becoming Madam Secretary at Amazon

Nonfiction

Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

Tracking the natural beauty that surrounds us, The Backyard Bird Chronicles maps the passage of time through daily entries, thoughtful questions, and beautiful original sketches. With boundless charm and wit, author Amy Tan charts her foray into birding and the natural wonders of the world.

If you have anyone on your list who is an avid bird watcher (or even a casual bird watcher) this would be a great book to give. It is illustrated with Tan's journal pages. You can check out my review of this interesting and insightful book.

Buy The Backyard Bird Chronicles at Amazon

Stress Test by Kay White Drew

The memoir encompasses a five-year crucible, from the first day of medical school through the last day of pediatric internship. Unveiling the cadaver in the anatomy lab while her mother lay dying on an oncology ward; the excitement of making difficult diagnoses and the terror and tragedy of disastrous mistakes; the joy of connecting with patients and the heartbreak of losing them—it’s all here. 

I really enjoyed reading about the author's time as a medical student and resident in the 1970s. I was drawn to her emotional journey of self-discovery. If you have someone who is in medical school or wants to become a doctor this would be a great gift. Read my full review.

Buy Stress Test at Amazon

The Road Away from God by Jonathan Martin

For anyone who is feeling their faith unravel, reckoning with religious trauma, or walking the long road of deconstruction, Martin speaks compassionate hope into the journey of today's disillusioned disciples, revealing that the resurrected Christ is profoundly present with them--even on what seems to be the road away from God.

If you are struggling with a crisis of faith, then this is the book is for you. If you are feeling disillusioned by Christianity of today, then this book is for you. If you are being called away from the church you have grown up in, then this is the book for you. If you are wanting to find Jesus, then this is the book for you. Jonathan Martin uses Luke 24 as the backdrop to understanding how what might feel like a step away from God during a time of hurting may actually be a step closer to the true God of our faith. Read my full review.

Buy The Road Away from God at Amazon

Poetry

The Natural World by David Murphy

For lovers of Robert Frost, Elizabeth Bishop, and John Keats comes a poetry book about the beauty of nature and people. The Natural World focuses on euphony, imagery, and form. 

I don't read a lot of poetry but I enjoy poems about nature. Not all the poems in this book are about nature - there's one about Christmas and several about love. I enjoyed the short murder mystery story told in verse at the end. Learn more about this collection in my review.

Buy The Natural World at Amazon

Women's Fiction

The States by Norah Woodsey

Tildy Sullivan is the middle child in an elite yet fading Manhattan family. Her quiet practicality hides her deep, profound longing for childhood summers in western Ireland. She also carries a secret regret. After her mother’s death, she’s persuaded to abandon Ireland and the love of the local boy, Aiden.

This was a pleasant read for summer. While the main character has decisions to make there is no over-the-top drama or other tension that would cause secondary anxiety in the reader. Plus you get to visit Ireland. Check out my review.

Buy The States at Amazon

Post-apocalyptic Fiction

Burn by Peter Heller

Every year, Jess and Storey have made an annual pilgrimage to the most remote corners of the country, where they camp, hunt, and hike, leaving much from their long friendship unspoken. Although the state of Maine has convulsed all summer with secession mania—a mania that has simultaneously spread across other states—Jess and Storey figure it’s a fight reserved for legislators or, worst-case scenario, folks in the capital.

This book fits into a lot of genres: dystopian, mystery, thriller. So if you have a reader that likes a lot of different genres this might be a good choice. I enjoy Heller's writing style. This was an interesting story, very introspective. Read my review.

Buy Burn at Amazon

Science Fiction

Full Speed to a Crash Landing by Beth Revis

Ada Lamarr may have gotten to the spaceship wreck first, but looter’s rights won’t get her far when she’s got a hole in the side of her ship and her spacesuit is almost out of air. Fortunately for her, help arrives in the form of a government salvage crew—and while they reluctantly rescue her from certain death, they are not pleased to have an unexpected passenger along on their classified mission.

If you read Beth Revis's Across the Universe then I think you will enjoy this new novella. I loved it and I'm thrilled to know it is book 1 of a trilogy (the next book comes out in December). Read my full review.

Buy Full Speed to a Crash Landing at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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