Hey, y’all! It’s Kristen here with my favorite rejuvenating books. December is a lot. As a month, as a concept – it’s just a lot. Reading might not be feasible this time of year. But you may also know readers in your life and are looking for a gift for them. We obviously recommend ours, but there are others that can serve as joyful gifts. You can also buy them for yourself. Or get them from the library if you need a reminder that this season is actually (I promise) about joy.
Bossypants by Tina Fey
I honestly cannot remember another book where I played entire sections of the audiobook for other people because it made me feel seen. Sure, we’re both from similar areas of the country and that absolutely helped, but I have bought this for many professional ladies in male industries throughout the years and I still recommend it.
She Memes Well by Quinta Brunson
Continuing our theme of very funny women who wrote a book, Brunson is probably best known as the showrunner, creator, and star of Abbott Elementary and her book is a pure and absolute delight. Warm, honest, hilarious – a perfect listen or read as you look to escape pressures this season.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
This one came out a few years ago, when I was still reviewing romance novels for an esteemed website and I remember cackling out loud on the bus. The premise is based on two of my favorite tropes – office romance, and enemies to lovers. A delicious and sarcastic take on them, if you’re into escapist romance and haven’t read this one – please treat yourself and the romance reader in your life.
A Court of Thorns and Roses (series) by Sarah J. Maas
Okay, did this series need an editor? Sure. It is a world you will deep dive into and have trouble finding your way out? 100%. A high fantasy series that focuses on Feyre and her adventures to both save the world and fall in love – the premise is similar to a thousand other books on the market. What makes these different, though, is Maas’ worldbuilding. You can almost taste the food Feyre eats and hear the sounds she does. If joy is immersion in another world, this is an A+ choice.
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
I promise I tried to find a non-romance here, but…this one makes me laugh out loud more than a lot of books I’ve ever read (and I read a lot). Fake dating set in London, with a sprawling circle of friends and a heaping dose of “how could he love me? I’m a mess” on both sides, Boyfriend Material is the book I always recommend for intro romance readers who are looking for a queer love story. Just hilarious, I promise.
Aight, folks, those are my top 5 rejuvenating books. They bring me joy and I’m pretty confident will to others, too. May this season be one you don’t need to escape from, but if you do – the five above are good helpers.
Merry Happy, everyone. Be good to yourselves and each other.
