‘25

Note: This article is also accessible on the Drumbeats Instagram, @ihhs_drumbeats.

As many know, to read is to live a thousand lives – or so George R.R. Martin attests. ’s fairy tales, brimming with fickle moral punishments, promised classic folk tales relinquished of their bland Disney sweetness, cryptic paracosms resembling the phantasm of Lewis Caroll. I seek the resplendent Russian classics, the undulating highs and lows of life as seen through the eyes of bardics. 

And yet, I have an equally prevalent admiration for the cheesy, all-American flicks. The non-pragmatic, hilarious ways of twenty-first-century romcoms. I seek gumption (think, The Holiday) and unrequited love – especially during that holistic holiday season when the snow begins to fall and the electricity companies make far too much money from incandescent bulbs.

And with that, I deem myself an expert in the realm of recommendations, as egocentric as one may find that to be. I have below accumulated a list of 7 books I think everyone should pursue this holiday season. I urge you to take a seat, make yourself a hot drink, and delve into a book (even if it’s not one of my recommendations). Again, to read is to live a thousand lives; reserve your flight now, before all the seats are booked.

1. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf

Beginning with a (dark) comedic modern classic, Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf provides masterful insight into dysfunctional husband and wife George and Martha in a vicious night of alcohol-ridden fun and games. The play follows the couple after a late-night University faculty meeting, as they entertain and terrorize the young newly-wed Nick and Honey, other University associates. Albee’s comedic take on the darker aspects of human relationships is strong, earning him his place amongst the modern classicists. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf is fast-paced, quick-witted, and brutal without avail.

2. The Wishing Game

Meg Shaffer’s debut novel, The Wishing Game, is one of whim and optimism. Following the young Lucy Hart, the novel explores the story of Lucy as she is chosen to compete in a contest, held by her favorite childhood author, for the chance to win the one and only copy of his newest book. For Lucy, winning means everything to her. But first, she must navigate her opponents, all while the author sits back and plots the most shocking twist of all. A wholesome, nostalgic work, The Wishing Game presents joy and stride in the face of pain and loss, reminding the reader of what it means to hope and how powerful books are in one’s life.

3. Atomic Habits

A perfect selection for the new year, James Clear’s Atomic Habits provides a framework for self-improvement, revealing practical strategies to help fashion good habits and break the bad ones. Clear’s ideas are easily applied to day-to-day life, watering down complex topics and theories for anyone to read. The novel stood as a 2018 Goodreads Choice Award nominee for Best Nonfiction. The work hones in on the concept that even one minor change can lead to drastic differences in peoples’ lifestyles, pushing each and every reader to be their best self in the most convenient way possible.

4. The Alchemist

Less than two hundred pages, Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist is a must-read classic that delves into philosophy, spirituality, fantasy, and alchemy. The novel tells the story of Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who seeks to travel the globe in search of a worldly treasure. Along his journey, however, Santiago gains riches far beyond sheer gold, teaching the reader about the importance of following one’s dreams, recognizing opportunities, and what it means to be human.

5. The Orange and Other Poems

Having blown up on TikTok, Wendy Pope’s short poetry collection, The Orange and Other Poems, is a graceful rendition of love and life. Witty and heartening, the poetic nature of the work is deeply moving, yet easy to comprehend, making it suitable for any reader.

6. One Day in December

As the singular romance on this list, One Day in December is a sweet story of friendship and true love. The plot follows three characters—Laurie, Sarah, and Jack—and a romance that could have been. In its place, mistakes are made, friendships are challenged, and true love is put to the test. One Day in December is a heartwarming romance, reminding the reader that fate takes inexplicable turns, but in the end, happiness can be found.

7. The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store

From Oprah Book Club-picked, bestselling author, James McBride, comes The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. In 1972, in a neighborhood of immigrant Jews and African Americans who lived side by side, a skeleton was found at the bottom of a well. The who and the how of the story is unknown, a long-held secret kept by the residents of the small town. As the truth is revealed, McBride breaks down the effects of the town’s white establishment and proves that in hard times, community and support sustain the human race. In this robust work of historical fiction, the author speaks up for and about people who live on the margins and what they must do to survive.