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Bookish Holiday Shopping
Here is your ultimate holiday shopping guide for the book lovers in your life; I did the research so you don’t have to, people! Click on the photo or link to go right to the product. I have compiled a list of various book titles along with a suggested bottle of wine to pair for the ultimate gift. I also have compiled a list of bookish gift ideas and stocking stuffers below. Enjoy & happy shopping!
For the Fiction Lover:
Where the Crawdads Sing is an incredible story of a girl named Kya; Kya was born and raised in a marsh. The story is full of mystery, love, friendship and adventure. It pairs wonderfully with a bottle Southern Right sauvignon blanc.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a story of a former Hollywood star who is now a recluse. She has decided to finally give an interview and selects a down-on-her-luck journalist to write it. This fabulous novel pairs well with Meiomi Pinot Noir.
The Family Upstairs is a dark, intricate story of a young woman who is about to find out everything she has ever wanted to know about herself. However, is she prepared to learn the dark and twisted history of her family? This excellent novel also has a sequel (The Family Remains); both will pair nicely with Butter chardonnay.
For the Thriller and Mystery Lover:
All Good People Here is the debut novel by Ashley Flowers (creator of the Crime Junkie podcast). It’s a twisty mystery regarding missing girls in a young woman’s home town. I recommend pairing this book with a bottle of Bar Dog rosé for the ultimate gift.
Sharon Bolton is my favorite thriller author, and this is my favorite novel that she’s written. It’s a suspenseful story that will keep you guessing until the very last paragraph. Pair this with a bottle of cabernet sauvignon by Decoy and you’ll make a reader very happy.
This is a classic whodunnit book with a bit of a twist, as it’s told from the point of a view of a young, inexperienced maid. I suggest a bottle of La Marca prosecco, as something about the novel taking place in a grand, regal hotel makes me want a nice chilled glass of bubbly.
For the Political/War/History Buff:
Historian Heather Cox Richardson has such a way with words as she traces the progression of the Republican party over the course of U.S. history. All you need is a bottle of pinot grigio by Josh Cellars, and you’ll have a great gift.
John Wukovitz was my 7th grade English teacher. He is an amazing writer and storyteller when it comes to U.S. history. Pair this book with a bottle of Educated Guess cabernet and you’ll be all set for the holidays.
For the Nonfiction Fan:
Michelle Obama has a way with storytelling and offering insight that can truly inspire self-reflection. Pair her latest book with a bottle of Coté De Roses by Gerard Cellars and you will have the ultimate book-lover gift set.
Something about the honesty of the title really grabbed my attention. The young actress reflects upon her troubled relationship with her mother. Pair this with Yes Way Rosé for one lucky reader.
Can’t we all use a little extra humor these days? Pair Steve Martin’s brilliant book with a bottle of Avaline organic sparkling wine for a little pick me up gift for your favorite book lover.
For the Harry Potter Fans:
Pick this up for someone in your life who would appreciate a glimpse into the mind and thoughts of the great, late Alan Rickman. Pair with a bottle of 7 Deadly Zins zinfandel for a little side of Severus Snape, and you’ll make someone’s Christmas wishes come true!
Such a fun, fairly quick read. Tom Felton gives a peek into the making/behind the scenes of the Harry Potter films, as well as his background as an actor. I suggest giving a bottle of The Beach Whispering Angel rosé by Chateau d’Esclans, because let’s face it…Tom Felton is an angel!
Bookish Gifts I Love:
What book lover wouldn’t appreciate these hilarious socks?
This cute little journal is great for a bookworm to keep track of their recent reads AND their never-ending To-Read lists!
This cozy sweatshirt is the perfect gear for a reader.
This cute little owl light is the perfect stocking stuffer. I use mine every night.
This beautiful necklace would be a perfect gift for your favorite bookworm.
You know I’d include a wine glass, right? This insulated little number is perfect for keeping wine chilled while you get lost in a good read.
Every avid reader needs a cozy blanket for reading sessions. Help your favorite reader get comfortable as they get lost in a world of books.
When I’m not drinking wine, I’m sipping tea. Check out these cute novel-teas this holiday season!
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Rock Paper Scissors
Title: Rock Paper Scissors
Author: Alice Feeney
Genre: Psychological/Domestic Thriller
Published: 2021
Obtained: Barnes & Noble
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wright has been in trouble for a while. Adam Wright is a work-obsessed screenwriter with facial blindness; he doesn’t recognize any familiar faces, including his own wife’s. The couple has some optimism for their marriage, however, when they win a weekend getaway to Scotland to celebrate their anniversary. Adam’s wife writes him a letter each year, along with a traditional gift—but she never gives him the letters to read. This anniversary she decides to change that. Their romantic getaway takes a wild turn of lies, deceit, suspense and a lurking stranger in the remote Scottish landscape.
Rock Paper Scissors was at the top of my read list this year. I have a love for all things Scottish, mysterious and suspenseful. This novel had a few really strong bits, but also failed to deliver on some of the anticipated twists and turns. I liked the build-up of the characters, the setting and the general storyline. I found a lot of the story unbelievable to the point where it was distracting from the heart of the story. I didn’t particularly like Mr. or Mrs. Wright, which made it hard to always care what happened to them. And Adam’s facial blindness syndrome was a bizarre, albeit convenient, tidbit.
I typically enjoy a novel that bounces between different POVs with the characters; however, this one was difficult for me because I honestly wasn’t rooting for anyone…except Bob, the dog! I did like the way Feeney incorporated the letters from wife to husband—I thought this was a compelling way to give the reader some insight on the marriage history. I thought Feeney also did a nice job of peeling back each layer of secrecy between the characters.
Again, the setting was outstanding. The eerie and isolated church in the remote part of Scotland was perfect for a fast-paced, twisty read. As much as I loved the atmospheric descriptions and the tension that Feeney managed to build with the remote location…it all seemed to build up to nothing. I wanted more to happen after a suspenseful build up to the characters going into the creepy wine cellar and out into the Scottish landscape.
This was the first Alice Feeney book I’ve read, and I thoroughly enjoyed her actual writing. It was witty and twisty and full of great one-liners. She turns a phrase so well, that I think that’s what kept me so engaged in the novel. What I didn’t love was the bit about Adam’s facial blindness. I just felt it was a cheap way to make the character unreliable—it reminded me of how so many authors use the woman-is-an-undependable-drunk strategy when wanting unreliable narration. I found myself so distracted from the story and went down a rabbit hole on the internet to find out if facial blindness would play out the way it does for Adam. I’ll let you be the judge for yourself—but for me, it was a stretch.
I am giving Rock Paper Scissors 2.5 stars. I didn’t dislike the story, but I found I ended with a lot more questions than answers. I wasn’t really surprised by much in the book—at least not by anything that was purposely meant to shock me as a reader. I loved the setting, and I loved a lot of the prose. I paired this read with a red blend called Troublemaker. It is a full, dark red with hints of fruit, spices and rich caramel. I love a good syrah or zinfandel—so naturally I loved this blend where both of those could be really tasted! It also doesn’t hurt that it’s strong (14.5%)—which really helped me get through this one.
Rating: 2.5/5
Wine Pairing: Troublemaker by Austin Hope, Red Blend
Snag a copy at Amazon
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The Split
Title: The Split
Author: Sharon Bolton
Genre: Mystery/Psychological Thriller
Published: 2020
Obtained: Amazon
*This post contains affiliate links. This means if you clink on the link and purchase, I will receive a commission at no cost to you. My opinions in this post are my own!*
Felicity Lloyd is living in fear of her ex-husband, Freddie. She is so afraid that she pursues a job opportunity that takes her from Cambridge to South Georgia, a remote island in the southern Atlantic Ocean. Her doctor, Joe Grant, senses that she is hiding or repressing some pertinent information regarding her past (and her ex), and is eager to help. Will Joe and his detective mother, Delilah, be able to reach Felicity in the frozen Antarctic island before Freddie?
Sharon Bolton does it again! The Split is another thrilling masterpiece crafted with a deliciously woven plot, convincing characters and consistent tension. Bolton kept me turning the pages, even when I was sleep deprived and up at all hours with the baby. With every chapter I was swept up into Felicity’s confusing and eerie world.
Bolton’s storytelling is what I love most about her novels. She pulls you into an adventure that is never quite what you think it is—full of twists, surprises and mounting tension. I love that she plays with perspectives. The Split does this well; Bolton tells the story from the viewpoints of Felicity, Joe and Freddie. You see the mystery from different angles with little bits of new information at every chapter. I know nothing of the island of South Georgia, but I can tell you that I was able to see it in detail with her descriptions. The frozen and ice-cold landscapes add to the pressure of the mystery.
Bolton’s ability to craft well-rounded, convincing and complex characters is another one of my favorite things about her writing. She has perfected the art of not revealing too much too soon about her characters. Instead, she peels them back like an onion…layer by layer as you get deeper into the novel. This strategy helps build up to those famous twists Bolton is known for in her stories. I love that every time I think I definitely have a character figured out, I’m hit with a curveball. As a reader, it keeps me on the edge of my oversized armchair.
The tension throughout The Split is insane. Bolton even weaves it into the side plot. She creates suspense without gory horror—which is what draws me to her writing. The novel flows with the right amount of anticipation page after page. Bolton slowly reveals the past of her characters in order to help the reader speculate the ending—but, the ending is never quite what the reader expects.
I give The Split a 5 out of 5 for being a damn good story. The characters are robust, as usual. The story itself is well-crafted and written with the right amount of suspense. This was another Bolton thriller of which I could find no faults. I recommend sipping on Primal Roots Red Blend as you read this novel; it’s a dark blend that pairs well with the complexity of the story and the characters. It’s smooth with rich flavors. The 13.5% alcohol content may also keep up with your racing heartbeat as it thunders along with this engaging and spine-tingling story. Overall, It’s a great (affordable) wine to pair with a great story!
Rating: 5/5
Wine Pairing: Primal Roots Red Blend 2016
Snag a copy:
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Girl, Wash Your Face
Author: Rachel Hollis
Genre: Self-Help/ Christian Literature
Published: 2018
Obtained: Target
Author and Founder/CEO of Chic Media, Rachel Hollis, uncovers the lies that women tell themselves—the lies that hold them back from their dreams and goals. With humor and honesty, she then spends each chapter sharing her personal story of how she once believed each lie and her personal strategies to overcome them.
I’m finally back! I struggled to finish books without falling asleep every five minutes during my pregnancy…and the exhaustion only grew after giving birth to my son. I have been sleep deprived and run down, but I am finally feeling myself again and ready to explore some new reads. Let me start by saying that this book is not of a genre that’s typically in my wheelhouse. However, I picked this read because I’ve heard good things about Rachel Hollis and I was genuinely curious about what nuggets of wisdom she had to offer; it also looked like a book that would be easy to pick up and set down—which was appealing as a new mom.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Girl, Wash Your Face. Often, when I have attempted self-help books or non-fiction books that read as advice, I get annoyed or bored when I sense that I can’t relate or if the author is preaching too aggressively. While I rolled my eyes here and there, I overall found the writing humorous and easy-paced. I felt that Hollis wrote with a good intention to be applicable and relatable to a variety of women. I don’t, however, think she managed to be quite as accessible as she attempted.
The book is set up so that each chapter is titled after a common lie that women tend to tell themselves; Hollis then spends that chapter debunking those myths and offering some simple advice on what helped her overcome those lies. I could relate to some idea or story in most chapters; Unfotunately, I also consistently found unrelatable aspects. I found comfort in the chapters related to parenting—being a new mom, I’ve found my life has turned into a sort of emotional rollercoaster that’s flying off the rails. Knowing that I am far from the first woman to experience these things is comforting. Hearing someone else say the words that I am often too overwhelmed to say aloud is refreshing and reassuring.
I enjoy hearing other people’s strategies to success. I like sponging up tidbits of how other people deal with and overcome hurdles. I appreciated Hollis’ way of offering insight to what worked for her without shoving it down the reader’s throat. While she was attempting to blend a concoction of understanding and encouragement, these words sometimes came off entitled and predictable.
Therefore, my criticism of this book lies in some of the cliché topics and the author’s occasional tone deaf tendencies. Some of the messages are common—for instance, the message that there’s no right way to be a mom and that it’s okay to stay home or work. And although this isn’t an original message, I didn’t necessarily hate hearing it again…it simply wasn’t anything super new or groundbreaking as a reader. Hollis borderlines on being tone deaf more than once. While I’m a big advocate of not comparing our problems, I did feel irritated with her “problems” and goals to which I just couldn’t relate. For instance, her goal to buy a designer bag—I can’t relate to dropping a grand on a hand bag and calling it the proudest moment of my life. I’m not trying to be judgmental because I can appreciate that everyone is motivated differently, but I had a hard time digesting some of what she was putting down. And, I think that irritation I felt is what holds this book back from being applicable to women everywhere; there is something to be respected in sharing one’s truth, but some of Hollis’s issues read as “first world” problems to which not everyone will relate.
I enjoyed some aspects of this book; even if overused, a range of the advice and words were inspirational. It takes courage to lay your truths on the table for anyone to read. My motivation to work on me, which had been lying dormant since my pregnancy, began to creep back towards the surface as I made my way through this book. I feel an urge to find that balance between my role as an individual and my role as a parent. Other aspects of the book, however, were out-of-touch and slightly trite. I give Girl, Wash Your Face a 2.5/5. It was an easy read and it passed the time with an upbeat feel; on the other hand, it wasn’t all it was hyped up to be.
I recommend Butter Chardonnay to sip on while you read this book. It’s flavorful, crisp and strong. Occasionally, Hollis said some things that I needed to hear and it was invigorating—much like the strong citrus and oak tones of the wine. But I also needed something potent to swallow down some of the more contradicting parts…like when she describes how poorly her husband treated her at first, but then later states they’ve been best friends since the start (friends don’t treat each other that way). I think a very specific type of reader will enjoy this book—but if you’re looking for some quick inspiration, you can probably find the same messages on a Pinterest board. I’m glad I branched out, but it wasn’t my favorite, in the end. The wine, however, is amazing and I highly recommend grabbing a bottle to enjoy chilled!
P.S. I definitely just ordered 3 bottles for my wine fridge.
Rating: 2.5/5
Wine Pairing: Butter Chardonnay 2018
Snag a copy
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
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The Lying Game
Title: The Lying Game
Author: Ruth Ware
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Published: 2017
Obtained: Barnes and Noble
When three women receive a mysterious message from their friend, Kate, they all rush to her side as they promised to do as girls. However, as told from the point of view of Isa, the women soon realize that not only did their childhood game have terrible consequences, but they are also missing pieces pertinent to a situation that occured years ago…a situation that they all agreed to keep secret. Now, it’s time for the friends to face their past head on—but will they all adhere to the old rules of the game when it comes to being truthful with one another?
Ruth Ware’s novels, that I have read, are full of beautiful prose and suspenseful plots. The Lying Game starts out strong; however, it loses its luster pretty early into the story. I love the premise of the novel focusing on four girlfriends and their mysterious history, but the plot unravels like molasses. While the narrator, Isa, is fairly well-developed, the other three girls are lacking in depth. Ware starts with such a sturdy premise—her opening chapter hooked me into the mysterious text message from Kate and had my mind reeling about what kind of trouble in which these four, seemingly normal, girlfriends could be involved. That enticed feeling was short lived.
Ware writes with such lovely phrasing and poetic justice. I felt this writing was perfectly suited for her novel The Death of Mrs. Westaway with it’s old-school, gothic feel; I did not, however, feel that it worked in the Lying Game. This book is one of four friends who attended a boarding school together in their youth, where they spent their time breaking rules and drinking. The lengthy, flowery writing (while very appreciated as a reader and writer) is distracting from the story itself. So many times I grew frustrated and just wanted the narrator to get to the point! Furthermore, I think what was so frustrating, as a reader, was that the elaborate prose was often in regards to details that either didn’t matter or had no real connection to the actual story.
Isa is a frustrating narrator. She is slow to expose the reader to important details about her past and her relationship with the three other girls. Isa’s character build wasn’t particularly interesting to me—while reading, I found her dull and, at times, obnoxious. Kate is slightly more developed, but still falls short. Fatima and Thea are incredibly weak characters, which is a shame because I was so curious about them at the start of the novel. A majority of the scenes with the women focus on them drinking and reminiscing, pieced together with flashbacks and memories from the narrator; however, it comes off choppy to me, as a reader, with very little meat and details that could help build up the mystery of the story. While a rule of their game is to never lie to each other, they are constantly lying to each other! Moreover, it still bothers me that they seem to lie to each other for no substantial reason. Again, the idea is there, but the story just doesn’t build or come together very well.
As beautiful as Ware’s writing is, the story unravels in a very tedious manner. The pace is slow and the story is full of subplots and scenes that just don’t really have much to do with crux of the novel. I was excited by the premise of the book and by the introduction, but the rest of the novel was underwhelming. There are scenes and phrases from The Woman in Cabin 10 and The Death of Mrs. Westaway that still stick out in my mind, but I don’t feel that same way about The Lying Game. It was a fun and easy read with, I reiterate again, beautiful writing; but, I think readers who are familiar with Ware will find that it falls short of her other novels. I gave The Lying Game a 2 out of 5 stars. I have one more of Ruth Ware’s books to read and I still have high hopes for it! As far as the wine pairing with The Lying Game, I recommend The Stag by St. Huberts, which is a Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s a full bodied, smooth, dark red that has hints of berries, oak and spice. I picked this up due to liking a dark, flavorful red to go with a good mystery full of perplexing characters; admittedly, I will say that the flavors in this wine are more complex than the characters in The Lying Game (which was disappointing as a reader, but fantastic as a wine-drinker).
Rating: 2/5 stars
Wine Pairing: St. Huberts The Stag (Cabernet Sauvignon)
Snag your own copy of The Lying Game at Barnes and Noble or Amazon
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The Man in the High Castle
Photo is a screenshot from my Audible app
Title: The Man in the High Castle
Author: Philip K. Dick
Genre: Science Fiction/Dystopian/Alternate Fiction
Published: 1962
Obtained: Audible
It’s the early 1960’s in the United States, which has been divided since the end of World War II; one half is under Nazi control, while the other is under Japanese rule. The only hope that really manifests for the individuals living under the German or Japanese rule is in the form of a novel called, The Grasshopper Lies Heavy—a banned book depicting a world in which the Axis Powers lose the war.
Photo is a screenshot from my Audible app
Let me start by stating that this review does contain some small spoilers; as hard as I tried to avoid spoiling anything too profound, it was incredibly difficult to discuss this book without exploiting some details. I have such a complicated view on this book which mirrors the complicated feelings I experienced while reading it. I selected this book after I started watching the series on Amazon Prime. The show is gripping despite it’s slow start. The television series has definitely taken some liberties from the novel, but the skeletal foundation is there. The Man in the High Castle takes place in a world where the Axis powers won World War II. It opens in the early 1960’s where half of the United States is under rule of Nazi Germany in the Greater Nazi Reich and the other half is under the influence of Imperial Japan in the Pacific States of America. The story opens with unsettling details through the eyes of a few primary characters—slavery is once again legal, individuals are persecuted based on race and those of Jewish descent are forced to live under new names to survive in secret. The author, Philip K. Dick, takes the reader on a journey through a parallel universe that depicts how our world might be if the U.S. had lost the war. The novel is both terrifying and ingenious. While Dick’s theories and ideas are both strong and dynamic, they tend to drown out the characters and the subplots in the book.
I am not typically drawn to science fiction or dystopian novels. As I mentioned, I picked this book up after I was sucked into the show. However, I was compelled by the exploration of race, alternate realities and destiny/fate. I think I was most struck to see how the world could be if World War II had a different outcome. What I find terrifying is the thought of how easily our world could slip into this type of intolerant, violent society as depicted in The Man in the High Castle. I found it interesting that so many characters in this novel utilize the I Ching to help guide them as they make decisions. The I Ching literally pops up in every plot and subplot of the novel; it is the connection between various characters. More incredibly, however, is the idea that the I Ching allows the reader glimpses into these alternate universes that some of the characters experience. The book gets even more mind blowing with the introduction of The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, which is a book within The Man in the High Castle; The Grasshopper Lies Heavy is a book written by a character named Hawthorne Abendsen. Abendsen’s novel is a refreshing piece of fiction for many of the characters in The Man in the High Castle because it depicts a world where the Axis powers lost World War II; though not quite the world as we know it now, many characters are drawn to the book because it offers a glimmer of hope. Now, here comes a spoiler (sorry!): Abendsen admits to using the I Ching to write The Grasshopper Lies Heavy—implying that there is a truth regarding the outcomes written in it. Because The Grasshopper Lies Heavy ends with some differences compared to our own history, the reader is left wondering if Dick is implying that our real world is also an alternate universe in a sea of possible worlds. If your brain hurts, welcome to the club!
A big glass of Fortress wine to help the brain pain!
As the reader, I did have my issues with the book. While the alternate universe and the connections of fate kept my mind reeling and invested, I felt very little connection to a majority of the characters. I’ve said this before in my reviews, but characterization is a big deal to me as a reader. I enjoyed some of the inner-monologues, like Frank’s or Childen’s, that offered some insight into their perspectives of that world and the shift in culture…but these instances were far and few between. Aside from the fascinating world Dick created, I felt lost and bored during many parts of the book. Perhaps I made the mistake of starting the show first; I was expecting more from the characters and much more action. The novel consists of a lot of “almosts” —there was almost an assassination and there was almost a horrible tragedy in store for an important character. However, a lot of these “almost” things don’t come to fruition. In fact, the ending of the novel, while establishing a profound and thought provoking possibility, is extremely anticlimactic in terms of action and closure.
All in all, The Man in the High Castle consisted of intriguing sub-plots that are introduced and then nicely woven together as the story progresses. The scary world that Dick has created offers a lot of opportunities for the reader to imagine how differently our lives could be…and, arguably, draw parallels to the events occuring in real time. The ideas of alternate realities and fate are well developed and are written philosophically and profoundly. Yet, Dick delivers an underwhelming novel. He fails to cultivate any real connection between the reader and the characters. The lack of action left me wanting more from the story; truthfully, some of the monologues and passages felt mind-numbing and had me itching to put down the book. While the initial glaring presence of exterminations, persecutions and violence were terrifying, the idea of American culture being destroyed and non-existent was incredibly unsettling. I give this book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It is the most demanding book I’ve read—meaning, it required a lot of focus and mental effort to read it, understand it and appreciate/enjoy it. As a book-lover, it pains me to admit that I am enjoying the show far more than I enjoyed the novel (insert Septa Unella following me with her bell saying, “Shame! Shame!”). But, it’s true. I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys alternate universes, dystopian-type books and profound thoughts on truth and fate. I also recommend giving it a try if you are currently watching, or have interest in watching, the Amazon Prime series. And I highly suggest watching The Man in the High Castle—I have found that the writers and developers of the series have really expanded on the characters, giving them more depth and more meaning. As far as the wine pairing, I suggest anything that contains a high alcohol content, for your brain will surely thank you. Specifically, I recommend Fortress Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, which has a 14.5% alcohol content to help swallow down the atrocities of the Axis alliance. This wine provides a bold, dark and strong flavor that pairs well with the dark and, often, cryptic aspects of The Man in the High Castle. Enjoy!
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Wine Pairing: Fortress Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Snag your own copy: Audible or Amazon
Pick a book, pour a glass
