Book Recommendations

December Recommendations courtesy Sara Putman, Bookish

Enjoy these Christmas gift recommendations from our friends at Bookish, Fort Smith, Arkansas’s only independently owned bookstore.

The Tired New Parent (or Just Plain Tired)

When we’re bone tired and soul tired, we can get overwhelmed with 500 pages. Here’s a list of some of our very favorite books that hit shelves this year. They aren’t a huge time commitment, and you’ll get a take-away that will soothe any book lover’s heart. And Yet, Poems, Kate Baer • Happy-Go-Lucky, David Sedaris Now is Not the Time to Panic, Kevin Wilson

The Renaissance Man (or Woman)

In these books, through thoughtful and tender narratives, readers find glimpses of remarkable humans overcoming insurmountable odds, leaving their mark on the world. These stories take us through Nazi Germany, the Civil War, and deep questions of faith. One Hundred Saturdays, Michael Frank • This Here Flesh, Cole Arthur Riley And There Was Light, Jon Meacham

The Great Outdoors

The love of nature is year-round, but we can foster it during the holidays. Let the new year bring waterfalls, mountains, new trails, or a newfound love for the wonders of nature right outside our doors. Five Trails: The Ozarks, Jim Warnock • Slow Birding, Joan E. Strassmann Riverman: An American Odyssey, Ben McGrath

Cozy Christmas

Whether it’s romance that fills your stocking or simply the idea of a quaint English village, these selections are certain to get you in the spirit. Your Guide to Not Getting Murdered in a Quaint English Village, Jay Cooper and Maureen Johnson • Just Like Magic, Sarah Hogle Meet Me Under the Mistletoe, Jenny Bayliss

The Connoisseur

These are slow burns that connect us to the narrative in a thoughtful and sometimes heart-wrenching way, but the blend of thoughtful prose, fascinating characters, and the relevance of the story sustain us. These are selections for the book snobs in your life. Our Missing Hearts, Celeste Ng • Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver Signal Fires, Dani Shapiro