Hi Reader

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Who else has entered into full “don’t bother me, I’m reading, sipping hot tea, under a blanket” mode? 🙋
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I love reading during this time of year because I have zero guilt about not getting out and about. Where I live, the wind chill is in the 20s, and the horizontal snow flurries are best enjoyed from a window!

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The only problem is what to read next. That’s why I’ve rounded up a few book recs that earned glowing reviews last year.
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While new releases are often fun to jump on quickly, I also like seeing how a book that has recieved a lot of hype fares after several thousand people read it and weigh in about it.

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Often, their collective comments reveal what the book is really like. It helps to know if the ending hit a sour note or if the plot twists were more confusing than suspenseful. On the upside, I like seeing exactly why readers love a book. Was it the characters? The storytelling?

3 Book Recs with Glowing Reviews from 2024

📚 James by Percival Everett racked up the awards in 2024. It tells the story of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of James, the runaway slave accompanying Huck Finn on his journey down the Mississippi River.
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Readers raved about the writing style, character development, and just how thought-provoking it is! My mom read it at the end of last year, and unlike most of the books she reads, this one really stayed with her! It would be a perfect selection for a book club to discuss.
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📚 Variation by Rebecca Yarros was just released in November, so you have a good excuse if you haven’t had the chance to read it yet! Rebecca Yarros is best known for her wildly popular series, Fourth Wing, which practically invented the genre of “romantasy” (if romance and fantasy had a baby)!

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However, Variation drops the fantasy aspect and just focuses on the romance. The story follows an elite ballerina and a Coast Guard rescue swimmer (yeah, they’re both in really good shape - LOL!) during a summer that reveals past regrets and long-hidden family secrets. Readers have been swooning over how this book kept them entertained and hooked to the last page.
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📚 The Wedding People by Alison Espach looks like it has all the best things I love about a story, a mix of witty, entertaining, meaningful moments, and likable characters. The premise may be a bit of a stretch, but readers say stick with it for the fun ride.
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Phoebe, who recently hit rock bottom, decides she’s going to live it up at a luxurious inn in New Port, Rhode Island that she’s always dreamed of visiting. Upon arrival, she gets caught up in a wedding, making an unlikely immediate connection with the bride and, eventually, the rest of the family.

A New (& Improved) Newsletter Coming Soon

Last month, I shared a little about my plans to improve this newsletter into something you really, really look forward to seeing in your inbox. So, thank you for your patience as I work on putting it together!

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Until next time, enjoy the comfort and coziness of winter reading!

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Happy Reading!

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Audry

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P.S. - Bonus book rec: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. I featured it on a past book list. But since then, this book keeps collecting the accolades. So if you missed it, now is a great time to tuck into this suspenseful story.

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