My Top Reads for Winter
In reflecting on my recent reading selections, I see their universality, that is “the quality of involving or being shared by all people or things in the world or in a particular group,” according to Oxford Languages dictionary.
Other criteria I look for: History. Current trends in storytelling. Character transformation and reflection. First-person perspectives. Relational growth. Mentorship. Work process. Vivid atmosphere. Adventure. Sensitivity. Survival during war. Beautiful prose. Hope. The books below, new reads to me, have these qualities in spades:
Wild Chocolate: Across the Americas in Search of Cacao’s Soul by Rowan Jacobsen (published October 8, 2024) “From James Beard Award-winner Rowan Jacobsen, the thrilling story of the farmers, activists, and chocolate makers fighting all odds to revive ancient cacao and produce the world's finest bar.”
The Witches of El Paso by Luis Jaramillo (published October 8, 2024) “A lawyer and her elderly great-aunt use their supernatural gifts to find a lost child.”
Mademoiselle Eiffel by Aimie K. Runyan (published September 10, 2024) “This … historical novel set in nineteenth-century Paris tells the story of Claire Eiffel, a woman who played a significant role in maintaining her family’s legacy and their iconic contributions to the city of Paris.”
Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb (published November 19, 2024) “‘Tis the season! The Crown meets When Harry Met Sally in the latest heartwarming historical novel by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb.”
Mistletoe Meet Up by Larissa Hommes (published November 18, 2024) “What do you do when you meet a charming stranger on Christmas Eve? Kiss them under the mistletoe, of course!”
The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It by Tilar J. Mazzeo (published October 16, 2008) “…Tilar J. Mazzeo brings to life — for the first time — the fascinating woman behind the iconic yellow label: Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin.”
The Champagne Letters by Kate MacIntosh (published December 10, 2024) “This historical fiction novel follows Mme. Clicquot as she builds her legacy, and the modern divorcée who looks to her letters for inspiration.”
Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb (published October 3, 2017) “Romantic novel that spans four Christmases (1914-1918), Last Christmas in Paris explores the ruins of war, the strength of love, and the enduring hope of the Christmas season.”