Season of Traditions
This time of year always reminds me how traditions, whether decorating a tree, cooking a shared meal, or unwrapping gifts, act as subtle threads stitching past to present. Not every family memory is warm, yet even the difficult ones shape the stories we carry. When we pause to remember where we came from, we’re better able to choose where we’re going, guided by the rituals that ground us and the new ones we create.
Gifts of Imagination
Books have always struck me as some of the most meaningful gifts we can offer. Like our cherished traditions, they carry memory, possibility, and the quiet magic of being transported elsewhere. A good book lasts far beyond the season, it lingers in the mind, shifts our perspective, and becomes part of the stories we tell about ourselves.
With that spirit of giving, I’m sharing a few gifts of imagination from authors I deeply admire, stories that illuminated my year and may brighten yours.
“Catherine Matthews shines in her debut novel about a young woman taking on gender bias and tackling her past in the ranching world of Alaska. Matthews’s characters are richly drawn, and the book is fast paced with an edge of danger. A definite page turner. I highly recommend!”
– James D. Shipman, bestselling author of Before the Storm.
“In a well-crafted debut, Smith-Blum provides the reader a ringside seat to the birth of the nuclear age…a beautifully written, important story…Tangles packs a punch and hits close to home.” –Robert Dugoni, New York Times bestselling author of The Tracy Crosswhite Series
“Meg Richman’s gorgeous, enticing prose is a siren calling us to a messy intersection of blind love, political righteousness, and uncompromising morality. Freya the Deer is a joy to read and a tantalizing knot I’ll be untying for a long, long time.”
Patrick Flores-Scott, author of American Road Trip and No Going Back
Perfect for fans of Pirates of the Caribbean, Resident Evil, and Avatar: The Last Airbender—this haunting, morally grey, slow-burn romance will keep you reading into the wee hours of the night!
Book Clubs – More than a glass of wine
Book clubs endure because they offer something rare: a place where stories become shared experiences rather than solitary ones. They’re more than an excuse to drink wine, though that’s often part of the pleasure. They’re gatherings where we step into other worlds together, compare notes on what moved us, and discover new ways of seeing. These conversations become their own kind of tradition, reminding us that reading is not only a private joy but a communal act that keeps us connected.
If your group is selecting its next winter read, I’d be delighted if you considered one of my books.
Final Events of the Season
As the year winds down, I’m grateful for every opportunity to meet readers, share stories, and take part in the creative traditions of our community. If you’re nearby, I’d love to see you at one of these final events of the season:
• Artisan’s Fair in Monroe
December 13–14, 9 AM–4 PM
A festive gathering of local makers, books, art, and handcrafted gifts perfect for holiday giving.
• Winter Wonderland at the Carnegie
December 20–21, 2–8 PM
A magical two-day celebration filled with lights, music, and seasonal cheer.
Light In Dark – Winter Solstice
As we near the solstice, the longest night reminds me that even in deep darkness, traditions offer us a way forward, small lights we kindle year after year. And from that quiet turning point, the days begin to lengthen, carrying us slowly toward spring.
May this season bring you warmth, rest, and the gentle reassurance that new light is already on its way. Thank you for reading…