The 2019 Holiday Reading List

Looking for recommended holiday reading, or the perfect gift for friends and family? Founder & President of Kansas City’s Rainy Day Books Vivien Jennings, Rhodes, shares her recommended holiday reading list below.

Princess of the Hither Isles: A Black Suffragist's Story from the Jim Crow South by Adele Logan Alexander

Life Undercover: Coming of Age in the CIA by Amaryllis Fox

A Guest of the Reich: The Story of American Heiress Gertrude Legendre's Dramatic Captivity and Escape from Nazi Germany by Peter Finn

The Cartiers: The Untold Story of the Family Behind the Jewelry Empire by Francesca Cartier Brickell

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier: 112 Fantastic Favorites for Everyday Eating by Ree Drummond

Entertaining at Home: Inspirations from Celebrated Hosts by Carman Ronda

The Confession Club by Elizabeth Berg

Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout

Radical Kindness: The Life-Changing Power of Giving and Receiving by Angela Santomero *An absolutely amazing book. Read it yourself and give it to all your friends and family.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The New Frontier: 112 Fantastic Favorites for Everyday Eating by Ree Drummond

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

The Secrets We Kept by Lara Prescott

Call Upon the Water by Stella Tillyard

The Accomplice by Joseph Kanon

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

A Well-Behaved Woman: A Novel of the Vanderbilts by Therese Anne Fowler

House of Gold by Natasha Solomons

The Bucket List by Georgia Clark

Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan

French Refreshed By Betty Lou Phillips, Syracuse

Despite the grandeur in which Louis XIV and his descendants Louis XV and Louis XVI lived in the magnificent Chateau de Versailles, extravagance rarely suggests el egance these days. Befitting spaces less assumedly scaled than the vast palace, alluring, of-themomen t interiors exude a more discreet cachet. Clean, not stuffy, reflects our culture and the times.

Betty Lou Phillips shares the inspiration behind her book: “Forever viewed as the epitome of sophistication, French décor has entered a new era of chic. Turning down the volume on over-scaled antiques, heavy draperies, and family heirlooms, the French have turned up the sleek, seductive profiles of home furnishings. Likewise, on this side of the Atlantic those with cosmopolitan tastes are happily adapting their formal style to a lighter, clean-lined look while keeping the legacy of fine craftsmanship flourishing. I wanted to produce

"French Refreshed" is Betty Lou Phillips 14th design book and 30th book.

a book that illustrates the fresh design direction that 21st-century American life demands as glamour and comfort are fused with upscale sensibilities.”

Betty Lou is the author of 14 books on French and Italian design, including the award-winning Villa Décor. A professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers, her work has been featured in countless magazines and newspapers. Additionally she has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She was initiated in to Tri Delta’s Omicron Chapter at Syracuse.

“Tri Delta was a pivotal vehicle in my life, prompting me to emerge from an over-parented teen to a confi dent, creative individual. Style, professionalism, appreciation for beauty, quality—and life itself all became mainsta ys of my dual career in interior design and creative writing. The journey has been joyous and fulfilling, but I am not yet through. There are more homes to design. M ore books to write. Indeed, I credit—and thank—Tri Delta for setting me on a lifelong course.”

The Adventures of PhilAnThropy By Linda Wise McNay, Transylvania, Del Martin and Ailena Parramore

Passionate fundraisers from Metro Atlanta, Linda McNay, Del Martin and Ailena Parramore, have set their sigh ts on “raising the next generation of philanthropists” through their new children’s book, “The Adventures of PhilAnThropy.” The authors are dedicated to bringing philanthropy concepts to children and their families to help create more generous and caring communities.

“The Adventures of PhilAnThropy” introduce readers to young friends Phil, An and Thropy as they embark on an adventure in philanthropy upon realizing their new friend needs a special chairlift to enjoy the neighborhood pool. When their combined allowances and birthday money are not enough, they launch a kid-friendly fundraising campaign with the support of friends, family and neighbors. During their journey, the friends learn that while each may only be able to contribute a little, they can make a big impact when combining their time, talents and treasure. “The Adventures of PhilAnThropy” will inspire children of all ages that contributions both big and small can truly make a lasting impact. A wonderful resource for parents, schools, libraries, and children's clubs, this book explores the concepts of philanthropy, collaboration, generosity, nonprofits and the impact of financial resources on the community while also introducing the idea of a PhilAnThropy Club.

Linda Wise McNay is an independent fundraising con sultant with Our Fundraising Search in Atlanta. Before consul ting, she spent over 25 years as a development officer for a variety of nonprofits. She is the author of three books about fundraising.

Friends of the Library by Susan Cushman, Mississippi

When Adele Covington becomes an author in her sixties, she goes on a book tour to speak to the Friends of the Library groups in ten small towns in her home state of Mississippi. Chasing her personal demons through the Christ-haunted South of her childhood, Adele befriends an eclectic group of wounded people and decides to tell their stories. From Eupora to Meridian, from a budding artist with an abusive husband to a seven-year-old with a rare form of cancer, each story contains elements of hope and healing and honors the heart, soul, and history of the Magnolia State.

Susan Cushman was president of Chi Chapter’s pledge class of 1969 at the University of Mississippi. She is author of three books: “Friends of the Library” (short stories), “Cherry Bomb” (novel), and “Tangles and Plaques: A Mother and Daughter Face Alzheimer’s” (memoir). She is editor of three anthologies: “Southern Writers on Writing,” “A Second Blooming: Becoming the Women We Are Meant to Be,” and “The Pulpwood Queens Celebrate 20 Years!” She was co-director of the 2010 and 2013 Creative Nonfiction Conferences in Oxford, Mississippi, and director of the 2011 Memphis Creative Nonfiction Workshop. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Susan has lived in Memphis since 1988.

The Power of Our Voices, Sharing Our Story By Karen Kernodle Martin, Baylor

“Not Another Casserole! Tips for Surviving a ‘C’ Word Diagnosis,” written by Karen K. Martin, appears in this anthology compiled by Teresa Hawley Howard. "The Power of Our Voices, Sharing Our Story" is full of powerful women who have been brave enough to share their voices and their stories with the world. Each author has a unique and beautiful story that inspires and encourages. In Karen’s story, she shares her breast cancer journey and provides tips and advice to others going through a similar experience.

Karen was initiated in Tri Delta’s Beta Tau Chapter and previously served as a member of Tri Delta’s Executive Office staff. As an advisor to philanthropists and chari ties, she applies a donor-focused, marketing philosophy. She holds public relations and MBA degrees from Ba ylor, where she was Student Foundation VP and the university’s second female development professional.