7 books we’re loving now

7 books we’re loving now

Humor

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

“The holidays are always equal parts anticipation and stress for me, and this year, with all the uncertainty in the world, is no exception,” says Tara Hans, FIRST managing editor. “That’s why I was thrilled to learn one of my favorite authors has a new funny book out—it was what I needed to lift my mood!” When a failed bank robber bursts into an open house and takes a group of strangers hostage, they band together. As the authorities and the media surround the premises, these allies reveal truths about themselves and set in motion a chain of events so unexpected that even they can hardly explain what happens next. “This motley crew of characters had me laughing out loud at times and tearing up at others,” says Tara.

“It was just the dose of human kindness I needed to remind me how lucky I am to have my loved ones healthy and happy.” (Atria, 2020; Hardcover $28, Kindle $15, Nook $15)

Suspense The Last Flight by Julie Clark

“After certain weeks, I feel bogged down from juggling work and family to-do’s,” admits Danielle Saliman, FIRST beauty director. “So, during a rare moment of free time, I dove into this book—and got lost in someone else’s drama!” Claire Cook seems to have the ideal life with her well-respected husband, but behind closed doors, he’s manipulative and abusive. Then a chance meeting in an airport brings her together with Eva James, a woman whose situation seems equally dire, and they decide to switch plane tickets to start anew. Claire takes Eva’s flight to California, and Eva travels to Puerto Rico as Claire. “The desperation that each woman felt to escape her life is what drew me in, but the suspense was the real page-turner,” says Danielle. “The story gave me a break from my own reality but reminded me how great my life really is!” (Sourcebooks, 2020; Hardcover $27, Kindle $11, Nook $11)

Romance The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss

“I love the Christmas season, but on certain years, it leaves me wishing I could spend more time with family who live far away,” shares Melissa D’Agnese, FIRST senior editor. “To perk up my mood, I cozied up with this holiday rom-com!” Kate Turner is single at 34 years old and ready to say bah-humbug to dating. When she moves back home to England, she busies herself with her design career, her friends and her family and takes up a side job baking for her old friend Matt’s neighborhood café. Then her best friend signs her up for a dating agency that promises to help singles find love right before the holidays. With 23 days until Christmas, Kate lines up 12 dates with 12 men. But each night out is worse than the last and she begins to wonder if real love has been under her nose all along. “All the holiday charm made me smile,” cheers Melissa. “I found myself rooting for Kate to find her happily ever after!” (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2020; Paperback $16, Kindle $12, Nook $12)

Cozy mystery Candy Slain Murder by Maddie Day

“Last weekend I was stuck at home during an unexpected snowstorm,” says Maggie Dillard, FIRST assistant editor. “To stave off boredom, I curled up in front of the fireplace with this fun, festive whodunit.” Robbie Jordan is busy running her store and café, Pans ’N Pancakes, during the holiday season. All is merry until a fire at the home of a nearby doctor reveals the skeleton of his ex-wife in the attic! Robbie offers to pitch in and crack the case, but danger lurks. Can she find the culprit before her winter wonderland turns into a nightmare? Says Maggie, “This tale had me entertained for the whole night!” (Kensington, 2020; Paperback $16, Kindle $7, Nook $7)

Women’s fiction Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Colgan

“I really wish I could take a fun holiday trip this year,” admits Lauren Stachiw, FIRST senior editor. “Instead, I dove into this merry tale that takes place on an island near Scotland!” Isla Gregor, a waitress at The Island Hotel, meets Konstantin Pederson, the kitchen boy who is secretly the son of the Duke of Utsire. Sent to work at the hotel against his will, he learns to appreciate the island—and Isla. Will it turn out to be the best Christmas ever? Says Lauren, “It was the charming getaway I needed!” (William Morrow, 2020; Paperback $16, Kindle $12, Nook $12)

Young adult The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

“Sometimes with all the events in the news these days, I like to escape with a good book,” says Shay Trotter, FIRST associate editor. “And I was happy to return to this world from one of my favorite series!” As part of the 10th annual Hunger Games, Capitol students serve as mentors for the first time. Eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow believes he has the odds against him with his tribute Lucy Gray—so he risks it all to prove enemies wrong. Shay says, “It was revitalizing to visit this world again!” (Scholastic, 2020; Hardcover $28, Kindle $18, Nook $18)

Fantasy

Somewhere in Time by Richard Matheson

“Lately, holiday shopping chaos has turned me into a grinch,” says Melissa Sorrells, FIRST health director. “But this timetravel tale was a feel-good fix!” Richard, a screenwriter diagnosed with a brain tumor, finds himself falling in love with a woman pictured in an 80-year-old photograph. He becomes convinced that he can travel back in time to her through selfhypnosis… but can he actually time-travel? Or is this a side effect of his condition? “This love story lifted my spirits and broke my heart—the perfect antidote to my humbugs!” (Tor, 2008; Paperback $9, Kindle $9, Nook $9)