Spread the love of books
Dear Readers: Every year at Christmastime, I prompt readers to put “A Book on Every Bed.”
The idea originally came from historian David McCollough. On the Christmas mornings of his youth, the very first thing he woke up to was a wrapped book at the base of his bed, left there by Santa. Working with my literacy partner, Children’s Reading Connection, this campaign has grown to include schools, libraries and bookstores. This year is different. All of us — not just children — need a good book on our beds.
I’ve reached out to some of my favorite independent booksellers for their special picks for books for all ages.
Ages 3 to 5, from Lisa Swaze, Buffalo Street Books, Ithaca, N. Y. ( buffalo streetbooks. com):
“If You Come to Earth,” by Sophie Blackall, visually and lyrically beautiful.
“You Matter,” by Christian Robinson, is a bright and elegant book that takes children on a journey around the world.
Early readers, from Sandra Dear, owner of the Little Boho Bookshop in Bayonne, N. J. ( thelittlebohobookshop . com):
“The Suitcase” by Chris Naylor- Ballesteros: This beautiful story about immigration is full of heart and humanity as it teaches our littlest ones about hope, tolerance and kindness.
“Home in the Woods” by Eliza Wheeler: This stunningly beautiful picture book is about starting over, and overcoming! A story of family, love and the joy of growing together.
Middle- grade readers, from Becky Anderson, coowner of Anderson’s Bookshop in Naperville, Ill. ( and ersonsbookshop. com):
“Ways to Make Sunshine” by Renee Watson: Watson writes her own version of Ramona Quimby, starring a Black girl and her family, in this start to a charming new middle- grade series about spirit, kindness and sunshine.
“The Silver Arrow” by Lev Grossman: Kate’s humdrum life is transformed when her eccentric Uncle Herbert brings her a colossal locomotive train.
YA readers, from Danielle Kreger, Blue Bunny Books, Dedham, Mass. ( bluebunnybooks. com):
“One of Us Is Lying” by Karen M. McManus is an edge- of- your- seat mystery that takes place in Bayview High school during detention.
“The New Kid” by Jerry
Craft: A spot- on graphic novel. Jordan Banks is in seventh grade when he is sent to a rigorous private school and grapples with staying true to himself.
Adult nonfiction, from Alex George, author of “The Paris Hours,” owner of Skylark Bookshop ( skylark bookshop. com) in Columbia, Mo.:
“The Book of Delights” by Ross Gay: Gay set himself the challenge of f inding one thing that delighted him each day for a year.
“Intimations: Six Essays” by Zadie Smith: Written during the pandemic, this small but powerful book shows Smith’s talents at their finest.
Adult f iction, from Mark LaFramboise of Politics and Prose in Washington, D. C. ( politics- prose. com):
“The Butterf ly Lampshade” by Aimee Bender: This is a beautiful story of mental illness, the bonds of sisterhood and the liveliness of a child’s imagination.
“What Are You Going Through” by Sigrid Nunez: The story of a woman who is asked by an old college acquaintance to be with her when she takes her life.