TXK Book Club—Books on Santa’s List
Christmas is just a few days away and shopping lists and to-do lists are (hopefully) dwindling. But if you’re anything like me, there is always one person who still needs a gift. Or at least I think I’m missing someone. I want to offer some suggestions for the hard to shop for people in your life and perhaps it will help me check off those last few gifts too. Reflecting on the books I’ve read in the past year, I think there’s a little something for everyone.
At the top of my list, would be a subscription to Audible (amazon.com) or a Kindle (also amazon.com). I’ve had Audible for years and it is the gift that keeps on giving with free content and a new credit each month. My husband, Justin Flowers, got me a Kindle last year. I didn’t know I needed it, but it has been a wonderful companion pool side, on an airplane and on the couch. Now to the books...
- For the native Texan who bleeds burnt orange and hopes you have a “Willie nice day:” Greenlights, by Matthew McConaughey (The Audible version is the chef’s kiss.)
- For the beach bum who loathes the winter and is a better person when their toes are in the sand: Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- For the nosey Nelly who loves a good eavesdrop and always has some tea to spill: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
- For the true-crime junky, who relaxes with a good murder show on a Friday night: The Push by Ashley Audrain or The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
- For the music lover who shared their Spotify wrapped information to their Instagram story (and anyone who has ever loved a song): Broken Horses by Brandi Carlile
- For the self-proclaimed workaholic who is no stranger to long stressful hours and needs their book to be a steady stream of consistency: The Game of Thrones Series by George R. R. Martin (credit: Justin Flowers—I prefer to mourn the end of a good book and find a new one.)
- For the hopeless romantic who has watched every Hallmark Channel movie this season: Virgin River by Robyn Carr or 28 Summers by Elin Hilderbrand
- For the history buff with a mind that wanders and likes to imagine different endings: The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd or Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld
- For the people person, but also the person who thinks rooms can get too “peopley:” The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile
- For the fierce chick who has had her heart broken and needs to be reminded that she is a force to be reckoned with: Untamed by Glennon Doyle
- For your dad, brother, uncle, neighbor, friend’s husband who you feel obligated to buy for: Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell
- For your bunco friend, secret Santa, mother-in-law or work wife when you’re tired of picking out candles: Going There by Katie Couric
A lot of good books passed through my library this year and I try to be thoughtful and purposeful when I recommend a book to a friend. There are more books where this list came from, but as I said, our lists should be dwindling and not growing. Thank you for taking each month to check in with me and the books I’m reading. I hope you have a minute this holiday season to curl up with a book that brings you all the joy you deserve. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to each of you.
