Books
The decades-old mystery of vanished campers in Liz Moore’s novel offers a darker counterpoint to the cozy stories often enjoyed during this December holiday
What is Christmas?
Running a race at a breakneck pace, she’s flying down the course so fast that her feet barely seem to touch the ground, heart pounding, lungs burning, and every muscle straining as she chases the finish line
Who is Jana
In the God of the woods, The chilling mood that contrasts with the warmth usually associated with holiday lights and decorations.
What is dread?
Opaline’s magical Dublin shop, which seems to appear only when needed, would make a dream setting for a late-night visit from this red-suited figure
Who is Santa Claus?
In Lessons in Chemistry, The emotion that replaces grief when Elizabeth finally allows others to share her table and her traditions.
What is hope?
This book club member splits her time between our meetings and her sunny second home on Florida's Space Coast, where uncrowded beaches, Indian River Lagoon kayaking, and manatee sightings make every visit feel like a beach read come to life
Who is Beth
In the Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, The quality shared by the Black and Jewish residents who defy authorities together, mirroring the Maccabees.
What is Resistance
In The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, residents of Chicken Hill rally around Dodo in an act of protection that mirrors the “light in darkness” themes often celebrated in this Jewish winter festival.
What is Hanukkah
In Lessons in Chemistry, this December holiday becomes a symbol of the “found family” filling Elizabeth’s home later in life
What is Christmas
These two “book club snowbirds” traded their regular seats on the living room couch for new ZIP codes, but still show up in spirit whenever the group debates endings
Who is Linda and Anne
This holiday season, one devoted mom keeps waving at her tablet like it’s a window, trying to hug the kids who ditched Palm CIty for beaches and traffic in this West Coast state.
What is California?
This book-club regular fuels every discussion with carbs and commentary, holding court over coffee and bagels checking out the men at his unofficial second home, this soup-and-sandwich chain.
What is Panera
The eerie Adirondack setting, with forests and old secrets, would make this a perfect novel to read by a crackling fire during this extended school break
What is winter break
This passport-stamping globetrotter named for a Peanuts character might spend Christmas in Dublin hunting for hidden bookshops one year and Hanukkah in Jerusalem the next.
Who is Lucy
These two fresh faces just traded solo reading for group debates, bringing new energy to discussions that used to feel like cozy family chats.
Who is Nancy and Robin
She's the queen of salty breezes and whisker kisses.
Who is Donna