Oh, the weather outside is frightful, ’tis the season to curl up with a good book. We have been very lucky to avoid any big storms yet here in Massachusetts but I am sure they are just around the corner. Until then I will enjoy these milder early winter days and get through these last few weeks of 2021 with some good reads. I had planned on a reading goal of 80 books this year but this 10 stack gets me to 90 and still counting! Can’t wait to see how many I can get to before the end of the year. Most of the books below are more feel-good reads because this time of year, who couldn’t use a little more of that?

“A Season for Second Chances” by Jenny Bayliss

Annie Sharp’s life just took an abrupt turn after finding out her husband had once again broken his promise to remain faithful to her. Needing a place to escape to Annie answers an ad in the paper to become the winter caretaker for a beach property in the seaside town of Willow Bay and immediately finds that this small community is exactly what she needs. Annie is spurred on by the locals to reopen the cafe attached to the home bringing life into the old place again. Everyone is thrilled, everyone but the owner’s nephew who has big plans for the property which include a for sale sign and not one that reads open for business. Knowing she only has the home until March Annie decides to make the most of her second chance on life hoping that she just might find what she needs to start again. I fell in love with a Jenny Bayliss book last Christmas season and had high hopes for “A Season for Second Chances” and though they didn’t quite match up to “The Twelve Dates of Christmas” this book is a heart-warmer. I keep seeing reviews that are disappointed that this isn’t a holiday book and for the record though Halloween and Christmas play a role in the storyline I wouldn’t say this is meant to be a holiday read though it would make a perfect fall Hallmark movie. If you haven’t yet discovered Bayliss’ books be sure to give them a TBR add.

“Just Haven’t Met You Yet” by Sophie Cousens

Do you believe in fate? Well, Laura does. Upon arrival at her business trip location Laura walks away with the wrong suitcase but when she opens it she couldn’t be more convinced that this was destiny at work. Inside she finds sheet music by her favorite musician, a copy of her favorite book not to mention a sweater only a dream catch would wear. Laura is convinced that this man is The One and for someone who’s entire job revolves around documenting other couple’s “meet cutes” this couldn’t be a more perfect story. To add to the romance, Laura would be meeting Mr. Right on the same island that her parents met and fell in love…written in the stars. To aid her in her search as well as help her in locating places from her parents past, Laura hires Ted, a local taxi driver to shuttle her around Jersey. As the search for the mystery suitcase owner winds on, Laura begins to learn who her parents were and the truth around the epic love story her mother had shared with her before her death. Her belief in fate and true love will be tested leaving Laura questioning if she had it all wrong to begin with, would she ever find the one she was meant to love against all odds? What. A. Gem this book is! I fell in love with a book by Cousens last holiday season and “Just Haven’t Met You Yet” lives up to the love I had for “This Time Next Year”. I read this in a day and couldn’t wait to see how Laura’s journey unfolded. If you are in need of a good rom-com to lift your spirits give a Sophie Cousens book a try. You won’t be disappointed.

“The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters” by Priya Parker

Strategic Facilitator, Priya Parker explains in “The Art of Gathering”, “…if we can understand what makes these gatherings effective and memorable, then we can reframe and redirect them to benefit everyone, host and guest alike.” Let’s be honest we have all been to meetings that could have been an email and attended conferences that lacked direction and a clear purpose. In this book, Parker provides suggestions on how to host effective parties and meetings, design conferences and even engage more as a family at dinner. Though I found some of Parker’s examples of what to do way out of my comfort zone (praising a bride who marched a guest back to her assigned table at her wedding dinner when her idea of the event wasn’t being followed to the letter – my jaw dropped at this one) but I did find her suggestions to plan down to the last detail when it comes to a gathering that you are responsible for refreshing. There is nothing worse than being called to an event of any kind only to find it a waste of time, something we all have precious little of these days. I listened to the audiobook version and found the narrator to be very robotic. I would suggest trying the physical book as I found it difficult to listen to at times.

“A Higher Call” by Adam Makos

In the skies over Germany on December 20, 1943, an unlikely alliance was formed. 2nd Lieutenant Charlie Brown, then twenty-one was flying his B-17 that was miraculously still in the air despite massive damage and a crew that was either gravely wounded or dead when out his window Charlie spotted a German fighter plane. What happened next was swept under the rug for decades but bonded the two pilots who never spoke a word to one another. The two men go on to survive the war through dangerous ordeals, always curious what happened to the other after that life altering decision between an enemy and an adversary. Forty years later Franz Stigler and Charlie Brown decide to take on one last mission, to find out what happened to the pilot who saved the other’s life and the other to find out if the decision he made that day was worth it. As a history buff, I couldn’t recommend “A Higher Call” more. Franz & Charlie’s stories were so incredibly interesting and so unique to hear first hand from a German officer’s perspective. I listened to the audiobook version which was very entertaining and well done. Be sure to add “A Higher Call” to your TBR list if you are interested in this time period. You won’t regret it.

“The Afterlife of Holly Chase” by Cynthia Hand

Every year top secret Project Scrooge tries to save the life of one soul destined for disaster just like Charles Dickens did for poor Ebenezer Scrooge. Sixteen year old Holly Chase was one of their Scrooges. On Christmas Eve she was visited by the ghost of her step-mother as well as the three ghosts of Past, Present and Future but none of it worked. The next morning Holly died. Now she is forced to work at Project Scrooge for eternity playing the part of the Ghost of Christmas Past every year hoping to help the doomed see the error of their ways – an opportunity she failed to grasp. For the past five years it has been the same thing until this year’s Scrooge was announced. Ethan, a teenager like Holly was, throws a wrench into the routine and boring afterlife Holly had been living. Now more than any other Scrooge before him, Holly is determined to help him see the error of his ways even if that means she is risking it all. A fun reimagining of a classic tale, “The Afterlife of Holly Chase” is a great YA read for the upcoming holiday season. Though a few plot holes were left out there without much explanation you can look past them for the creativity Hand brought to this age-appropriate YA tale.

“On a Night Like This” by Lindsey Kelk

Fran Cooper’s life is in a rut. Her career is at a standstill and she can’t help but wonder if her fiancé still has feelings for his ex. Something’s got to give soon. When a job opportunity comes her way she decides to jump at the chance to accept even if Stew would be angry about her leaving for London for a few days. Only when she arrives on the first day does she learn that not only is the job for a top secret celebrity but it isn’t even in England. Fran gets whisked away under the strictest NDA to be at the beck and call of singer Juliet and to ensure that she shows up to her performance at the most elite party of the year on time. Really, how hard can it be? I can’t begin to express how much I love Lindsey Kelk. Her books are instant feel-goods that I often read in a day because of her humor and great female characters. Having followed Kelk on social media for a while now I could hear her personality shining through in this one. “On a Night Like This” is a modern day fairytale that you won’t want to put down. Be sure to add this to your TBR list.

“Calm the H*ck Down” by Melanie Dale

So many of us parents operated under the illusion of “I’ll never do (insert judgy scenario here) when I have kids”…and then we had kids. Then our days were filled with second guessing, perfectionist pressure and constantly wondering how that super mom at school can seem to juggle all the balls and we can’t. (Spoiler alert: she’s not either!) Author Melanie Dale has some advice for her readers…we all just need to calm the heck down. No one can achieve perfection, no one can get it all right and no one is handing out any awards anytime soon. Though not all of this book spoke to me I found myself jotting down a few gems that I can’t wait to pull out in day to day situations with my family. I listened to the audiobook version of “Calm the H*ck Down” which is narrated by the author herself. Dale references advice for all stages of childhood so caregivers in all stages will find something they can relate to.

“The Christmas Bookshop” by Jenny Colgan

Carmen and her sister Sofia couldn’t be less alike if they tried. Sofia has the perfect marriage, the perfect home, the perfect children and Carmen, well she has just lost her job forcing her to move to Edinburgh to live with Sofia temporarily. Nothing pains Carmen more than having to witness the perfect first hand day in and day out but when Sofia came up with a solution to her unemployment issues she had no choice but to take it. A client of Sofia’s is dangerously close to losing his bookshop and she can think of no one more perfect than her sister to try and reverse course during the Christmas season. Deciding to make the best of it, Carmen digs in to help old Mr. McCredie but when she sees the state of his shop she fears this may just be mission impossible unless she can perform some sort of Christmas miracle. This is the third book I’ve read written by Jenny Colgan and every book makes me want to pack my bag and hop a flight to Scotland. Colgan writes lovely, heartwarming stories that will leave you with a smile on your face. Now who doesn’t want that during the holiday season? Be sure to add this to your TBR list for some Christmas cheer.

“Welcome to Dunder Mifflin” by Brian Baumgartner & Ben Silverman

Unless you live under a rock chances are you have seen at least an episode or two of The Office. Even if you aren’t a super fan you can’t deny the pop-culture phenomenon that the show has created. Every fan has a favorite moment on the show – the epic Jim and Pam kiss after casino night, for one – and “Welcome to Dunder Mifflin” shares all of the behind the scenes secrets into those unforgettable moments. Starting with the creation of the show author’s Ben Silverman (Executive Producer) and Brian Baumgartner (Kevin) take readers through the show’s run to its finale nine seasons later. The Office is comfort food for the soul and I found myself rewatching episodes during the ’20 quarantine to escape the stress of what real life was at the time. I listened to the audiobook version and the only thing that could have made this a perfect read would have been if the original cast had narrated it themselves. Add this to your TBR list if you are a fan of The Office or pick up a copy as a gift for someone for the holidays.

“The Santa Suit” by Mary Kay Andrews

After her life falls apart Ivy Perkins does something spontaneous, she buys the old farm house of her dreams sight unseen. When she arrives at Four Roses she realizes that she may have just stepped into more than she can handle. The porch is sagging, the windows are drafty if they are intact at all and the previous owner left so many things behind. While cleaning out Ivy discovers tucked into the back of one of the closets a box with a beautifully tailored Santa suit inside. Tucked into the pocket she finds a letter that sets Ivy on a journey to uncover whatever became of the little girl with such an impossible Christmas wish. Mary Kay Andrews has written a heartwarming, feel good Christmas read that I thought was over too soon. This quick read will fill you with Christmas cheer and a great escape during the season for holiday stress. Don’t miss this one before year’s end.

Til next time,

The Booked Mama

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