Nonfiction
By Ryan Holiday
This book completes Ryan Holiday’s “Stoic Virtue” series. As with the others—on courage, temperance, and justice—he draws on the works of stoics like Epictetus, stories of renowned figures ranging from Abraham Lincoln to Bill Russell, and personal anecdotes to show its importance and how to acquire it. He teaches techniques like listening, weighing evidence, questioning our beliefs, and more, all as whetstones for sharpening our perception and reason. A great gift for the holidays and special occasions.
WWII History
By Bruce Henderson
In fall 1943, two USAAF squadrons flying antisubmarine patrols from Britain were converted to fly supply drops to the Resistance in Occupied France as part of Operation Carpetbagger. This book tells their story. B-24 Liberators flew across the English Channel, at night, to poorly-lit drop zones. They defied massive belts of antiaircraft guns blanketing France and radar-guided night fighters patrolling the skies. This book reveals an overlooked part of World War II and definitely worth reading.
Fiction
By C.J. Box
The Wyoming governor’s son-in-law, Mark Eisele, is missing. The governor asks Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett to find him, preferably before his daughter learns of it. While out of Joe’s territory, he agrees. Meanwhile Joe’s friend, falconer Nate Romanowski, and fellow falconer, Geronimo Jones are tracking Axel Soledad, who killed Nate’s wife. Soledad plans a terrorist attack at an elite gathering in Wyoming. Pickett, Romanowski, and Soledad’s paths converge at Battle Mountain.
Holiday
Edited by Jessica Harrison
Christmas is ripe with opportunities to create new traditions, and Christmas stories—whether movies or novels—are often part of those traditions. Here is a whole array of short stories that could become part of your Christmas tradition. Penguin has collected a variety of holiday stories from around the globe and across the generations. Readers will notice many famous authors who are typically not associated with the holiday season. It’s a great chance to find a storied holiday treasure.
Classics
By Mary A. Ward
Twenty-year-old Lady Constance is wealthy, beautiful, and recently orphaned. Sent to live with impoverished relatives, she enters a thicket of class differences and an interior conflict between selfishness and generosity of soul. Author Mary Ward was herself a Victorian who knew well the ins and outs of the society and possessed the talent to describe its workings. Her books were bestsellers in the UK and America in the early 20th century and even won the admiration of notables like Theodore Roosevelt.
For Kids
By O. Henry and P.J. Lynch
Stunning illustrations bring to life O. Henry’s (William Sydney Porter’s) classic tale from 1905 of a young husband and wife who each give up their most prized possession to give the other a gift at Christmas. This endearing story of sacrifice and love depicts the true spirit of giving and makes a wonderful addition to your Christmas story time.
