What To Read

Every month, we share the books we can't wait to read. Our December staff picks include: one of our most anticipated indie releases of the year; an exposé on the keepers of humanity's most ancient traditions; and a memoir of swapping an office job for a life off the grid in the Cascade Mountains.

FICTION

Woo Woo by Ella Baxter (Dec 3)

Selected by Fernanda Gorgulho

This novel, featured on Tertulia's best upcoming books from indie publishers, follows a conceptual artist who’s spiraling out of control on the eve of a career-defining exhibition, caught between her legions of devoted TikTok fans, a lame, hyper-rational husband, her creepy stalker, and her own bizarre alter egos. Sounds like an absurdist plot for the absurd times we are living in - and I have the feeling it’s going to be impossible to put down.

Havoc by Christopher Bollen (Dec 3)

Selected by Romina Raimundo

The set-up: an octogenarian widow meets her match with an 8-year-old boy in a wicked game taking place in a decaying luxury hotel on the Nile.The perfect mid-winter escapist thriller!

I Made It Out of Clay by Beth Kander (Dec 10)

Selected by Iliyah Coles

Now, this is one of the funniest premises I've heard in a while! A woman desperately seeking a plus one to her sister's wedding creates a golem and makes it into her boyfriend. I know this one's gonna be a good laugh, and as someone who's single with their sister's wedding approaching next year, I might even take notes.

Rental House by Weike Wang (Dec 3)

Selected by Lynda Hammes

Books are the best retreat during this season of peak family drama. What better break from all that together time than distracting yourself with someone else’s marriage and in-law drama? I loved Weike Wang’s Joan is Okay, and am excited to close out the year with one of the last big anticipated novels of 2024.

NONFICTION

Custodians of Wonder by Eliot Stein (Dec 10)

Selected by Fernanda Gorgulho

Can you imagine being the last keeper of cultural traditions that go back for millennia? This inspiring book by a BBC travel writer journeys across the planet to track down remarkable individuals maintaining dying rituals against unimaginable odds - from Greece’s nearly extinct whistled language, spoken by only six people, to the handful of Sardinian women making Italy's rarest pasta, to a Japanese man guarding the secret ingredient to a 700-year-old soy sauce recipe, and more. Fascinating!

The Art of Danish Living by Meik Wiking (Dec 31)

Selected by Emmanuel Hidalgo-Wohlleben

I'm taking this book as a sign to make this season my winter of living hygge. Despite icy winters and scarce sunlight, Denmark ranks among the happiest countries in the world. I'm taking a queue from the Danish lifestyle and mentality to reorient toward everyday actions that will make my days more fulfilling.

Good Nature by Kathy Willis (Dec 3)

Selected by Romina Raimundo

Every time I felt overwhelmed as a kid, my grandpa would take me for a barefoot walk in the park. To this day, that feeling of the grass under my feet brings me calm and clarity. I'd love to learn more about how these interactions with nature help to bring us well-being and connection to our environment.

Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman by Patrick Hutchison (Dec 3)

Selected by Emmanuel Hidalgo-Wohlleben

There is no place I find more peace than in mountains. Every few months when life gets tough, I daydream about living in a remote mountain forest. I have always wanted to visit the Cascades, where this memoir is set, and I hope that an ounce of the areas beauty will be transmitted through these pages.

Simple Goodness: No-Fuss, Plant-Based Meals Straight from Your Pantry by Makini Howell (Dec 3)

Selected by Iliyah Coles

A few months ago, I made the decision to cut back on takeout — I was approaching UberEats VIP status. I started meal prepping for the first time in my life, and I have to say it's made figuring out what's for dinner so much easier. The next step on the health journey is incorporating more plant-based meals, so this cookbook is going to be so helpful. Just in time for New Years' resolutions!

MIXED GENRE

The Pushcart Prize XLIX ed. by Bill Henderson (Dec 3)

Selected by Lynda Hammes

The Pushcart Prize is an American treasure! I look forward every year to this showcase of writing from independent presses, which is a great way to discover new authors that aren’t yet on your radar.