This year, everybody needs a book on their bed
Dear Readers: Ever y year at Christmastime, I prompt readers to put “A Book on Ever y Bed.”
The idea originally came from historian David McCullough. On the Christmas mornings of his youth, the ver y first thing he woke up to was a wrapped book at the base of his bed, left there by Santa.
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. I hope you will be inspired to put A Book on Ever y Bed this year, and not only for Christmas. This idea is one to sustain people throughout what might be a long and dark winter.
Baby and Toddlers: From Brigid Hubberman, Children’s Reading Connection (childrensreadingconnection.org):
“Baby Cakes,” by Karma Wilson and Sam Williams
“Haiku Baby,” by Betsy E. Snyder
“Shine Baby Shine,” by Leslie Staub and Lori Nichols
Ages 3 to 5: From Lisa Swayze, Buffalo Street Books, Ithaca, N.Y. (buf falostreetbooks.com):
“If You Come to Ear th,” by Sophie Blackall, visually and lyrically beautiful.
“You Matter,” by Christian Robinson, takes children on a journey around the world.
Early Readers: From Sandra Dear, owner of The Little Boho Bookshop, in Bayonne, NJ (thelittlebohobookshop.com)
“The Suitcase,” by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros: Beautiful stor y about immigration.
“Home in the Woods,” by Eliza Wheeler: Stunningly beautiful picture book.
Middle Grade Readers: From Becky Anderson, coowner of Anderson’s Bookshop, in Naper ville, Illinois (andersonsbookshop.com)
“Ways to Make Sunshine,” by Renee Watson: Watson writes her own version of Ramona Quimby, starring a Black girl and her family.
“The Silver Arrow,” by Lev Grossman: Kate’s humdrum life is transformed when her eccentric Uncle Herber t brings her a colossal locomotive train.
YA READERS: Danielle Kreger, Blue Bunny Books, Dedham, Massachusetts. (bluebunnybooks.com):
“One of Us is L ying,” by Karen M. McManus, a tale of twists and turns.
“New Kid” by Jerry
Craft: A spot-on graphic novel.
Adult Non-fiction: from Alex George, author of The Paris Hours, owner of Skylark Bookshop (skylarkbookshop.com), in Columbia, Missouri:
“Wintering,” by Katherine May: This is a deeply personal, quietly beautiful book.
“The Book of Delights,” by Ross Gay: A guaranteed lifter of spirits.
“Intimations: Six Essays,” by Zadie Smith.
Adult Fiction: from Mark LaFramboise of Politics and Prose, in Washington, D.C. (politics-prose.com).
“The Butter fly Lampshade,” by Aimee Bender.
“What Are You Going Through,” by Sigrid
Nunez.
Elders: From Gayle Shanks, Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe and Phoenix, Arizona (changinghands.com):
“Apeirogon,” by Colum McCann.
“The Chair Rocks,” by Ashton Applewhite.