Welcome to Quick Lit, where I share short and sweet reviews of what I’ve been reading lately on (or around) the 15th of the month, and invite you to do the same.
I did not realize when I was putting this list together that almost all of these are audio selections! Though in hindsight it makes sense: as I tend to do, I’ve been reading many forthcoming 2026 selections in print, and older selections—whether that’s by a few months or a few decades—on audio.
I quite enjoyed the variety on display in this month’s Quick Lit: a new cookbook (with lots of stories and photos, the way I like it) that I picked up on impulse from the library, an award-winning novel in translation, a slim, interior Australian novel on the Booker shortlist, a contemporary tall tale/fable/fairy tale that I’ve described numerous times as “a good yarn” in conversation, a historical novel that took me to times and places I was largely unfamiliar with, and a beloved 1996 novel by an Irish author I haven’t read in years.
As I survey these selections I’m also noticing how many seasoned protagonists feature here, along with oft-repeated themes of identity, mortality, and community.
I hope you enjoy the variety of this month’s selections, and that you find something that looks intriguing for your TBR here (and in these comments). and I look forward to browsing your recent reads below. Thanks in advance for sharing your short and sweet book reviews with us!
Welcome to December Quick Lit
People of Means
Johnson's sophomore historical novel follows up her bestselling 2021 debut The Kindest Lie. In 1959 Nashville, Freda travels from Chicago to study at Nashville's Fisk University and becomes active in the Civil Rights movement, in the process falling a little bit in love with two men—one a hardscrabble activist, the other a doctor-in-training who's acquainted with her well-to-do family back home and as committed as Freda's father to the promise of Black excellence. In 1992 Chicago, Freda's daughter Tulip knows nothing of her mother's history of activism, or about the other man she was in love with long ago. Tulip is working hard to secure a promotion at her PR firm, even though it often feels the deck is stacked against her. But when the Rodney King verdict makes an activist of Tulip, she kicks off a chain of events that alter her romantic relationship, her job, and ultimately expose secrets her mother has been keeping for thirty years. I listened to the audio narrated by Bahni Turpin, who's always a favorite. More info →
Stone Yard Devotional
Many thanks to Rebecca, whose comment on November Quick Lit reminded me that I wanted to read this slim Australian novel, which was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and has been often described as one that "sounds quiet but reads as anything but." I do love a deceptively quiet novel, so I tried this on audio (as narrated by Ailsa Piper). This is the story of a Sydney woman who gives in to something akin to despair and leaves her work and her marriage to take up residence at a convent far from home, on the Monaro Plains of New South Wales. After the early days of her arrival, during which she spends many hours literally lying on the floor, she throws herself into the quotidian tasks and peculiar gossip of convent life. But a series of three arrivals disrupts our narrator's piece and calls her to contemplate her past and future life—the mortal remains of departed Sister Jenny, a visit from a climate activist named Helen who our narrator knew as a child, and an overwhelming invasion of mice (the descriptions of which were literally jaw-dropping for me while reading). There's not a clear plot exactly, which I know will be off-putting to some readers, but if you like the sound of a contemplative book about quietly blowing up your whole life, this might be for you. More info →
Evening Class
I haven't read Maeve Binchy in many years, but when Kate Mosesso raved about Evening Class as the first book she loves on Episode 505 of What Should I Read Next? ("Recs for a reader in search of “best in class” books"), I downloaded the audiobook narrated by Kate Binchy (the author's cousin) immediately. In this 1996 novel, a group of Dublin strangers from all walks of life are brought together by their interest in Italian lessons at a local school's adult education class. They all have their own reasons for taking the class: to further their careers, find a creative outlet, or even serve as a cover for a crime operation, but despite their reasons for first joining, they collectively flourish under the tutelage of "Signora," a Dublin native just returned home after a decades-long sojourn in Italy. And after months of instruction, they journey together to Italy for immersive learning and life-changing revelations. It was a gentle joy to learn these characters' stories and watch them find love and happiness, in no small part because of their Italian lessons. (I am DISMAYED to only realize while putting this post together that my version was abridged—it wasn't marked as such on my audiobook! Do I need to go back and read the whole thing in print?) More info →
Life, and Death, and Giants
I finished this one several months ago but when it comes to neatly describing it in Quick Lit, words have eluded me so far. The story took a sharp, dark turn, and then another, in the third act and I thought time might clarify how I felt about those authorly decisions. I'm not sure that's happened yet, but at this point I am certain it was a memorable reading experience. I'd describe this as a "good yarn" with a feel similar to a William Kent Krueger standalone. It's a tall tale about a man named Gabriel, born to a young mother who fled her Amish community because she was unmarried and wouldn't name the father of her baby. Her baby is remarkable in that he is huge, so big that she dies in childbirth, and Gabriel is subsequently raised by his older brother in rural Wisconsin. Gabriel grows to be a gentle giant—8 feet tall, size 35 shoes—whose unusual size makes for an unusual life, and one marked by tragedy. Though just published in August, with a contemporary setting, the book has an old-fashioned feel to it—partly because of the storytelling style and partly because Gabriel's family is Amish, shunning many of the trappings of modern life. The story follows Gabriel from birth through young adulthood, as told by four distinct narrators (all wonderful on audio): the local vet who delivers Gabriel, Gabriel's Emily Dickinson-loving Amish grandmother, the local bar owner who nurtures Gabriel's love of sports from a young age, and the disgraced college football coach who changes Gabriel's life when he recruits him for the high school team he now leads. I have big feelings regarding some of the reveals, particularly those pertaining to questions of identity and family secrets; this would be a wonderful book to unpack with a group of readers in a book club setting. There's so much to talk about! More info →
When the Cranes Fly South
I prioritized reading this Swedish novel in translation after reading through the comments on my favorite books of 2025 post. This is the story of an elderly man named Bo, living out the final months of his life in his small village in rural Sweden. Bo is narrating his days and his thoughts about them to his wife Fredrika, though she's not there to here him—she's living in a care home nearby, because of her advanced dementia. In the opening lines, we learn that Bo's son Hans thinks that Bo can no longer care for his beloved dog Sixten, which prompts a reckoning of sorts for Bo—about the reality of his declining physical capabilities and his relationships with his loved ones, particularly his imperfect relationship with Hans and his heartbreaking relationship with his abusive father. Most of the book is from Bo's perspective, but the intercut care log notes from Hans and members of Bo's elder care team made the book for me. Translated from the Swedish by Alice Menzies; I listened to the audio narrated by Ifan Huw Dafydd. More info →
What Can I Bring?: Recipes to Help You Live Your Guest Life
I picked up this cookbook from the library after enjoying an opinion piece by Elsass (linked in the November 26 edition of Links I Love). This was such a fun cookbook! I enjoyed the beautiful photos, the storytelling, and especially the point of view. As the title indicates, this cookbook is focused on great recipes for guests to bring to other's gatherings; there are few mains, just appetizers, salads and sides, drinks, and desserts. As someone who often talks about surprise + delight in the reading life, I loved how Elsass seemed to be aiming for that same combo with many of his recipes, which were often just a little bit quirky: a cheez-it crust for quiche, gochujang in scones, a truly show-stopping Jello concoction. I'm here for it! This was a fun read and a book I look forward to baking from. More info →
What have YOU been reading lately? Tell us about your recent reads—or share the link to a blog or instagram post about them—in comments.
23 comments
My reading lately includes a book that made my best of the year list! I decided to rank my top 10 so you can see them here!
https://neverenoughnovels.com/2025/12/12/best-books-of-2025/
I appreciate your audio recommendations as well, Anne. Thanks!
“Growing Old” was a winner for me because, well, we’re all growing old! ha. Might as well do it with wit and wisdom, which this book provided. For fiction, I loved “My Friends” by Fredrik Backman.
See all 8 books here that I’m recommending this month:
https://lisanotes.com/8-books-to-see-the-world-and-yourself-more-clearly/
I am going to need to get my hands on that cookbook!
My reading this month was a little ho-hum, but with several bright spots. There was plenty of Christmas fiction and a few middle-grade read-alouds that my kids and I loved (including our favorite read-aloud of the 24 we read this year). Also a compelling memoir, a lovely parenting book, a chilling thriller, and a wonderful devotional that was my companion through the year.
https://kendranicole.substack.com/p/quick-lit-december-2025
Books #101-108 of 2025: https://thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com/2025/12/reading-update.html
Thank you for your thoughts on Life, and Death, and Giants and When the Cranes Fly South. Both are on my TBR, and it is lovely to get your perspective.
My reading lately has a little bit of everything!
https://ourlittlebookcollection.substack.com/p/november-reading-wrap-up
Maeve Binchy’s cousin is also named Maeve Binchy? If I read that right I am delighted.
I completely forgot to put my list together for November, but I have been loving reading all of the weird books on the Tournament of Books Long List.
Whoops! Alas, Maeve Binchy’s narrator cousin is named Kate, and I updated my book comments for accuracy. Thank you for catching that, Jill!
I need to check out People of Means! All my books are set in Nashville (though they’re contemporary) and I always love learning more about that area. I also just put Love, and Death, and Giants on my TBR this morning after hearing about it on the Currently Reading podcast!
Here’s what I’ve been reading: https://readeatrepeat.net/2025/12/books-in-progress-december-2025/
I needed the Stone Yard Devotional reminder as well!
In this season of hosting on steroids, I was glad to have read Laura Baghdassarian Murray’s Becoming a Person of Welcome. She presents
hospitality as the practice of making room in my schedule, in my home, in my budget, and—most challenging of all—in my heart for the people that God chooses to bring into my life.
I enjoyed Vigil by George Saunders & Tortoise’s Tale by Kindra Coulter
Oh, I hate unexpectedly finding out an edition is abridged! And all the worse after you’ve already read it. I can’t speak to that specific book and whether it’s worth reading the unabridged version, but I hear your dilemma.
My reading month was quite a mixed bag! https://cocoonofbooks.blogspot.com/2025/12/what-ive-been-reading-lately-quick-lit.html
I was thrilled to hear Kate Mosesso mention Evening Class in her 3 books she loves. Yes, Anne, you MUST go back and read the unabridged version of Evening Class! I am a Maeve Binchy completist and love everything she’s written; it’s impossible for me to choose a favorite. Just bought The Glass Lake at my library book sale to gift to a friend.
My recent reads are all recs from WSIRN!
Slow Horses by Mick Herron
Love & Saffron by Kim Fay
The Notebook: A History of Thinking on Paper by Roland Allen
Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin
When We Were the Kennedys by Monica Wood
Is it just me or has this month FLOWN by? It seemed like I just posted on Quick Lit a week ago… I just picked up When Cranes Fly South from the library and am really looking forward to it based on the reviews and comments I’ve seen here. My recent reads are:
* The Everlasting by Alix Harrow (4 stars) – I would have given this fantastic, creative, and beautifully written novel 5 stars except I was pretty confused at times as to who was telling the story since both narratives are written in first person. I’m definitely going to have to re-read this one.
* My Beloved by Jan Karon (4 stars) – So happy to have a new Mitford installment to read, and this one fit well with the upcoming holiday season.
* The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 4 and Vol 5. by Beth Brower (Audiobooks, 5 stars)
Current reads include Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn (Audiobook, re-read for a book club). And happily, I finally made it to the top of the list for my Libby hold of The Correspondent in audiobook after waiting several months! Woohoo! Happy Reading!
We’ve had some reading overlap lately! Stone Yard Devotional is currently sitting beside me and is next on my list.
I’m talking about my favorite reads of the year, seven books including one short story collection (with commentary), one graphic novel adaptation, two regular-ol’ novels, one middle grade, one sci fi and one speculative.
https://carolinestarrrose.com/quick-lit-favorite-reads-of-2025/
Hi, Anne! I’m so happy to hear that you tried out Evening Class!! I hate abridged books but I think you got a good taste- enough to know whether you want to keep reading Maeve!!
I read (paper) a great Ann Patchett backlist, Run. It was fantastic. I also read (paper) Chris Whitaker’s All the Colors of the Dark. I listened to Lisa Barr’s The Goddess of Warsaw which I thought was terrific. Happy Holidays!
Three books stand out: Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton. I knew nothing about hares, but I couldn’t put it down! Now I have a soft spot for hares.
The Beginner’s Goodbye by Anne Tyler. The first line is: “The strangest thing about my wife’s return from the dead was how other people reacted.” She’s a genius. 198 pages.
A Walk in the Park: Misadventures in the Grand Canyon (or something close) by Kevin Fedarko. I have not seen the Grand Canyon, but this adventure was incredible, I was on the edge of my seat, learned sooo much, emailed my brother who used to fly tourist flights over the Canyon, and got out all my maps of Arizona. I got OBSESSED!
I am rounding out my reading year with a fiction book. Check out what I read https://myviewofthehoneypot.blogspot.com/2025/12/what-i-read-in-december.html
I am reading books set during the holiday this month. Here is a link to the best of this season’s reads – https://frommycarolinahome.com/2025/11/30/holiday-reading/
Oh my goodness! I don’t always check out the Quick Lit, but I’m so glad I clicked through today. 🙂
People of Means sounds so interesting. I don’t usually go for love triangles, but contrasting the Civil Rights Era with the Rodney King beating. I was only 4 when that happened and would love to understand more about that.
When the Cranes Fly South sounds heartbreaking, but fitting for these darker winter months. I am afraid and fascinated to read of him grappling with his relationship with his abusive father.
I love the idea of a cookbook for what to bring to parties and LOVE the name “What Can I Bring?” Shows a lot of promise for the contents when the title is so good. haha
I could only find the abridged audio version of Evening Class after looking everywhere I have ever gotten an audiobook, so it’s not just you!
Loved When the Cranes Fly South, great grandfather and granddaughter. Also, his connection and the importance of Sixteen.
Also, loved The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. Sent her a note and she responded so this author is a winner.
Currently reading Mona’s Eyes about art and a grandfather’s relationship with his granddaughter.
From your list, I’ve recently listened to When the Cranes Fly South (checks lots of my book boxes, loved it so much) and Stone Yard Devotional (liked it, suited my mood).
Favorite recent fiction – Barbara Isn’t Dying, written by Alina Bronsky and translated from German by Tim Mohr.
This book, which I learned about from What Should I Read Next, episode 408 – Reading around the world, is about an elderly man who wakes up and wonders if his wife died because he can’t smell the coffee she always has brewing in the morning. She’s still alive, but he immediately finds himself thrust into responsibilities he’s never had in at least fifty years of marriage as he becomes both homemaker and caregiver. It’s a story of marriage, gender roles, family dynamics, and community relationships, filled with love, tension, secrets, regrets, grief, and people doing the best they can in the circumstances they’re in. It’s sad, funny, and very human. I loved it.
Favorite recent non-fiction – Bibliophile: An Illustrated Miscellany, written and illustrated by Jane Mount
I love everything about this book. Books about books always intrigue me, but this one’s easy to read in little bits of time, all the bookish trivia is interesting, and the painted illustrations are awesome. Each two page spread covers a bookish topic (formative faves, novels of the 1800s, iconic covers, southern lit, dystopia, bookmobiles, read around the world, etc.) and some topics are repeated throughout the book (beloved bookstores, writing rooms, striking libraries, etc.). Mount also has three other book-related books – two for adults (I’m skimmed one and haven’t seen the other yet), one for kids (loved it) – that she’s illustrated.
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