Welcome to Quick Lit, where we share short and sweet book reviews of what we’ve been reading lately. Today I’m sharing my recent reads that also happen to be perfect for gifting this season.
For more literary gift ideas, check out these resources:
- Our 2018 Gift Guide for Book Lovers
- 25 great gifts for book-loving kids
- Our 2018 gift guide for Jane Austen fans
- This What Should I Read Next episode in which Ann Kingman and I answer readers’ literary gifting dilemmas.
Quick Lit December 2018
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
This fun doorstop of a collection (and I say that with affection) was fourteen years in the making, and includes titles I expected (all six Austen novels) and titles I didn't (Make Way for Ducklings, Into Thin Air, The Hunt for Red October). The book includes numerous shorter reading lists, thorough indexes, and a checklist so you can see how many on the list you have read. (My current total is 168.) Stay tuned: I'm chatting with Mustich on a special New Year's episode of What Should I Read Next?. More info →
The Diary of a Bookseller
I'm spending part of this December in Wigtown—in Bythell's own bookshop—so of course I had to read this. This is Bythell's actual year-long diary of his days at the helm of The Bookshop, complete with daily customer count and till totals. But the real focus is on the customers: Bythell documents the unusual, eccentric, and often irksome behavior he witnesses every day in his shop. As for my own visit, I'm especially interested in seeing the Kindle Bythell describes shooting and wall-mounting with my own eyes. More info →
Kingdom of the Blind (A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel)
I couldn't update you on my recent reads without including the latest Inspector Gamache novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The Kirkus review made me laugh out loud: "Penny has upped her thrills-to–pain au chocolat ratio." This new installment in the series picks up where Glass Houses left off, with Gamache on suspension from the Sureté and the deadly opioid that he failed to recover expected to hit Montreal's streets any day. The story opens on a dark and stormy night—although in Three Pines, the storm is a blizzard—and while the murder mystery is solid, Gamache's interior journey is even more compelling. If you're gifting this, start with book #1, and check out this list if you're on the hunt for another unputdownable series. More info →
Leaf Supply: A Guide to Keeping Happy House Plants
I checked this out of the library earlier this fall, and knew it was a keeper. (Wild Geese Bookshop gave it to me as a gift when I visited for book tour—thank you!) I've put it to good use. This beautiful coffee table-worthy book is packed with practical tips and plenty of inspiration for bringing houseplants into your home. If you love Leaf Supply, definitely check out Urban Jungle—it might be my favorite in this category. More info →
Walkable City Rules: 101 Steps to Making Better Places
Walkable City was one of my favorite nonfiction books of years gone by—it's a book I can't stop talking about. So of course I couldn't wait to get my hands on Jeff Speck's latest, devoted to "everything that people tend to get wrong these days when designing pieces of cities." I was pleased to see it's not a retread of Walkable City, and contains overwhelmingly new content. In his author's note, Speck says he considered calling this book Walkable City Patterns, as a tribute to Christopher Alexander, so it's no coincidence that Alexander's A Pattern Language would also make an excellent book for anyone interested in this subject. More info →
What have you been reading lately, and what books are YOU giving this season? Tell us all about it in comments or share a link in the comments to your post on what you’ve been reading lately!
58 comments
I had a great reading month! I read 22 books, including a few that were my favoritis of the year.
https://kendranicole.net/quick-lit-reading-wrap-up-part-three-december-2018/
*Favorites. All that reading, and I still haven’t learned how to proofread a comment. 😉
I don’t know. I kinda like favoritis!
I love your reviews!
Diary of a Bookseller looks great! I’ve been reading One Day in December and a few other adult and kidlit titles! https://abookishhome.com/2018/12/11/what-ive-been-reading-5/
I need that book on houseplants – my thumb is solid black despite by my best efforts and intentions.
I’ve been reading a mix a self help and historical fiction here lately, and trying to squeeze in a few more books before the end of the year to make it my goal!
http://readeatrepeat.net/2018/12/15/books-in-progress-what-im-reading-right-now-december-2018/
I’ve been reading lots of Christmas-y novels lately and had a blast filling out a year end book survey on my blog! https://www.neverenoughnovels.com/2018/12/10/2018-book-survey/
Rachel—Tell us about the Christmas-themed books you’ve read, I’m always looking for the perfect one. A favorite of mine is The Dean’s Watch by Elizabeth Goudge,.
Jenny Colgan has a bunch of Christmas themed books as part of her regular book series which I just adore. I also just finished Merry and Bright by Debbie Macomber – a fun workplace romance.
I also read “Merry and Bright.” Cute, fast, and fun!
I really enjoyed Seven Days of Us.
I’m reading that now! It’s interesting so far.
I read 22 books on November, some of them really fantastic! I’m intrigued by 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die.
I’m enjoying being deeply immersed in Michelle Obama’s new book ‘Becoming’ and have already bought several copies as gifts. Another non-fiction that is well written, fascinating, and opinion shaping is ‘Chasing the Scream. The beginning and end of the war on drugs’ by Johann Hari.
Hope you have a wonderful vacation! This month, I had to read a 500-page book about nuns to cleanse my soul after an Ann Enright novel.
https://susandcook.blogspot.com/2018/12/quick-lit-december-2018.html
I’ve read some really great books recently, especially Sandhya Menon’s From Twinkle, with Love. Hoping to read some great Christmas reads before the end of the year!
https://anovellook.com/home/2018/12/8/book-review-from-twinkle-with-love-by-sandhya-menon
I added “Walkable City Rules” to my TBR as soon as I heard it mentioned on your podcast (pretty sure it was yours!). Excited to read that one.
I do a lot of rereading in December, mostly Christmas themed favorites! Here’s my list! http://happinessinthecrapiness.blogspot.com/2018/12/quick-lit-december.html
I need that book on house plants! Curious, Anne, do you have any air plants? I’ve gotten really into terrariums lately, and they have been pretty easy to keep alive. 🙂
I only read three books in November (toddler mom and pregnancy life), but I enjoyed every one. My book reviews are at the link below.
https://www.marilumorgan.com/what-i-read-in-november-2018/
I do have a few air plants. They’re so fun. 🙂
Hope you’re having a wonderful time. Lots of good reading of late!
https://carolinestarrrose.com/quick-lit-december-2018/
1000 Books to Read looks fascinating! I’m a sucker for book lists.
That’s one reason why I’m keeping my own. Here’s a list of memoirs I loved.
https://purplecrayonyourworld.com/9-stand-out-memoirs-that-will-inspire-you/
I loved the cover of Diary of a Bookseller, but when I looked on Amazon to buy it? Totally different cover! Not pretty at all! Isn’t it weird how that makes so much difference?
It does make a difference. 🙂 I have been known to poke around hardcover/softcover/buy used until I find a cover I like. 🙂
I identify with this very much ladies! I buy a lot of my books thrift/used. I get really excited with I’ve sourced one online and it shows up with an unexpected cover. That’s happened with an Outlander book, a Rosamunde Pilcher, and a Kate Morton – all overseas versions I wasn’t expecting. It’s like a treasure hunt! I’m a sucker for beautiful cover art.
Oh, The Diary of a Book Seller sounds really interesting! I always wanted to be a librarian or a bookshop owner, but I am willing to live vicariously through others. Lol. December has been a pretty good reading month. I am starting to discover more of what I don’t like as a reader so that is encouraging! My list so far can be found here:
https://thecozyshelf.com/current-reads/current-reads-december-2018/
I had a good reading month. I reached my goal of 65 books in 2018.
https://daysathomejh.blogspot.com/2018/12/november-wrap-up.html
Interested in 1000 Books to Read Before You Die…although I should probably create that list myself from my to-read list! 🙂 The problem is it would change every few months when new books are released. lol.
Here’s my latest list: 5 Books I Recommend + 1 Minute Video Review
https://www.lisanotes.com/books-i-recommend-november-2018/
I read several excellent books this past month, but Fed Up by Gemma Hartley was definitely the most impactful read. I got my husband to read it and it has already made a huge difference in how much he helps with the management of the household! You might remember her viral article Women’s Aren’t Nags—We’re Just Fed Up from last year — that’s the opening chapter of the book. Definitely recommended.
Here’s what I’ve been reading!
Here you go … THE book for everybody on your Christmas list –
http://www.lindastoll.net/2016/06/if-you-read-only-one-book-this-summer.html
Really. It’s that excellent …
Diary of a Bookseller sounds fun–enjoy Scotland!
I had a great reading month with a variety of fiction and nonfiction. Here are my reviews:
https://www.mindjoggle.com/december-2018-book-reviews/
Walkable City Rules sounds intriguing. I have been reading lots of books in procrasination of doing all the other things. https://myviewofthehoneypot.blogspot.com/2018/12/booking-it-december.html
Books read: I read 15 books in November, although that included nine(!) graphic novels – quick reads! My favourite books read last month were: Holy Ghost by John Sandford (thriller), Sweet Tooth Vol. 1: Out of the Deep Woods by Jeff Lemire (science fiction; graphic novel); and Y: The Last Man Book 1 – Unmanned by Brian K. Vaughan, et al. (Science fiction; graphic novel).
Currently reading: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng. The last of the books I specifically planned to read in 2018. Yes, I do up a spreadsheet at the beginning of the year and list the books I want to read (e.g., to meet challenges). Of course, that list is changed and added to over the year. For example, none of my November faves (above) were planned reads for me.
Hoping to read by the end of December: The Witch Elm by Tana French; Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty.
I read 5 or 6 graphic novels in the past month too!
I got through so many this month! 13 total, but EIGHT were on audio. The 1000 Books to Read Before You Die sounds interesting. I wonder how many of them I already have on my list? http://www.tbretc.com/etc/2018/12/14/quick-litdecember18
Just finished Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver and The Cozy Minimalist Cozy Minimalist Home by Myquillan Smith. ? Check out my SIX SWEET READS of 2018 here: https://laurathomasauthor.com/six-sweet-reads-of-2018/
This month I finished two newly released, New York Times best sellers, one cozy classic mystery, one sweet and funny novel from a hundred years ago that’s perfect for any book lover, and one super helpful non-fiction book that’s given me lots of practical tools for living a more fulfilled and less frazzled life.
http://goteamotto.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-weve-been-reading-lately-december.html?m=1
I have had a diverse month of reading lately. With a classic and even some literature in translation!
http://femalescriblerian.com/2018/12/15/what-ive-been-reading-lately-november/
I wish I was all caught up on Louise Penny to read the latest! I’m only on book 4, but there are so many books to read… so little time. Here’s what I’ve been reading: http://www.bornandreadinchicago.com/2018/12/books-i-read-in-november.html
The Diary of a Bookseller is DEFINITELY calling my name. As for the other books, I’m really intrigued over Walkable City for my mother. It sounds appealing for me, as well, but something about it screams her name. Thanks for sharing!
My ideas for book gifts!
https://readingladies.com/2018/12/01/will-you-give-a-book-gift-this-holiday-season/
I took a trip to NYC and made a special trip to CW Pencil!!! So much fun and an experience for sure ! Thanks for recommending it .
Is it bad that I’m giving my husband a copy of Kingdom of the Blind for Christmas with the slightly selfish aim of grabbing it after he’s done? The library queue is another 8 weeks and I just can’t wait that long! I’ve got my list of my favorite books from 2018 up here https://www.letmegiveyousomeadvice.com/best-books-2018/
My Quick Lit roundup includes recommendations from Anne, book club reads, and library holds that came in!
http://www.sincerelystacie.com/2018/12/quick-lit-mini-reviews-of-some-recent-reads-november-december-edition/
Haven’t been reading as much as I’d like. I am reading a must-read though.https://shannanenjoyslife.com/2018/12/14/quick-lit-next-page-please-november-2018/
I had a particularly bookish problem on thanksgiving! I was both entertained and frustrated with my inability to come up with a book I’d enjoyed recently when a relative asked. Advice would be appreciated! 🙂 Here’s what I read in November including quite a few I enjoyed immensely! https://erikashirk.com/2018/12/16/a-holiday-bookish-pickle-quick-lit-nov-2018/
I spent a lot more time reading this past month when I was sick with a cold. Actually a whole series or what has been written so far. Here is my review.. http://www.tjsmusing.com/2018/12/blades-of-acktar-and-ilyon-chronicles.html
Fun to see these ideas. I did a whole “gift grid” for book gifters to pick their category of person + category of gift, and find just the right book suggestion!
http://www.anneinresidence.com/2018/12/2018-gift-grids-reads.html
Such a great year for good books! I posted my favorites on https//:www.nursebeansews.wordpress.com Many are WSIRN podcast recommendations!
Julie aka @nursebean82
At first, I thought that 1,000 Books title was a typo because of the popular 1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die that came out ages ago. I wonder how much overlap there is between the two books?
As for my own latest reads, I’ve got everything from Leif Enger’s latest to a memoir I’m waaaay late to the game on:
http://www.toloveandtolearn.com/2018/12/17/loving-and-learning-lately-9/
I’m currently reading The Return of the Native by Thomas Hardy. It’s the last book I had on my original 2018 Book List, and I was kindof saving it because I loved Tess of the D’Urbervilles so much last year but this one is turning out to be a bit of a slog. It’s going much slower than I anticipated.
I’m giving my sister-in-law/best friend Little Women for Christmas because BabyGirl #4 is on the way due next June! I’m so excited for my newest little niece to arrive!
Thanks for this list. That “walkable city” book sounds like one both my husband and I would like; our family walks A LOT.
Here is the link to my end-of-year book post: http://prinsenhouse.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-year-in-books-2018.html
A family member requested Walkable City for Christmas this year and it made me so happy. You can guess what they’re getting this year.
I enjoyed browsing this list—thank you for sharing. Several of your 5-rated books were not on my radar.
The Cover of The Diary of a Bookseller looks so cozy I totally want to add that to my list.
I JUST finished Circe which is totally not my typical genre, but I absolutely adored it! More recent reads in this post: https://monganmoments.com/recent-reads-december-2018/
A new indie book store opened in a nearby town so I did a some Christmas shopping there. Saw your book on one of their tables!
The bookseller and an enthusiastic patron highly suggested I read Hey,Kiddo and warned me it was hard to put down. So true – I absolutely loved it (4 1/2 stars as I am conservative with my ratings). Bought a second copy to gift.
Hurray for new bookstores! I hope it’s a nice addition to your area.
I picked up a copy of Diary of a Bookseller at Daunt Books in England last month. I cannot wait to read it!
I had a very romance-centered month as I tried to make a dent in my ARC backlog. http://idratherbeatpemberley.com/rapid-reviews-vol-2/
I’ve heard wonderful things about Daunt Books—I hope you enjoyed your visit! (Also: I love your domain name. I’d rather be at Pemberley, too. 🙂 )
I read 92 books this year! That’s a definite record for me. Several favorites from December: Dear Mrs. Bird, I’ll Be Your Blue Sky, The Autobiography of Santa Claus and And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer (I bawled uncontrollably through that one!).