By Anais Aguilera, Amber Alexander, Katie Norris and Sophie Poirier
It’s finally December, the perfect time of year to get cosy by the fire with a good book. Whether you’re looking for wholesome romance or an action-packed thriller, there’s plenty for you to read this month.
Amazon
We are kicking off this December with a hit on the Amazon charts. Suzanne Collins’ latest novel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the prequel to the original The Hunger Games trilogy, has made an appearance on the list this week just as the movie is released. Take a look back in time to the tenth Hunger Games, where Coriolanus Snow becomes a mentor for the District 12 tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. For all the Katniss fans out there, I implore you to pick up this book, and may the odds be ever in your favour.
If you’ve already read Suzanne Collins’ novel, take a look at Janet Evanovich’s recently published novel Dirty Thirty. As the thirtieth book in Evanovich’s series, hence the name Dirty Thirty, readers will see bounty hunter Stephanie Plum being offered a freelance assignment to locate a local jeweller’s former security guard who the jeweller suspects stole a grand number of diamonds from his safe. This fictional mystery will keep you reading.
WHSmith
Still in the Top 20 on the WHSmith charts after its late September release, David Mitchell’s Unruly offers a new perspective on the history of England’s monarchy. Mitchell was a historian before becoming a writer and comedian, and his latest book is historically accurate as it is funny and engaging. Get ready for any preconceived notions you have about King Arthur or Elizabeth I to be overturned as Mitchell explores English history in an unexpectedly irreverent way.
When Dolly Alderton has a new release, it’s always sure to be a hit. Her latest novel Good Material is a breakup post-mortem, told from the perspective of a struggling comedian trying to get his life together after his successful corporate girlfriend leaves him. This is a change of direction for fans who discovered Alderton’s work through her wildly popular memoir, Everything I Know About Love, but readers will find her characters just as relatable, funny and heartwarming.
Waterstones
As we inch closer to Christmas, feeling the joy fill the air, it’s the perfect time to pick up a children’s novel and get in touch with your inner child. The Miraculous Sweetmakers: The Frost Fair is Natasha Hastings’ heartwarming debut. Amidst the Great Frost of 1683, a pair of best friends set out to find the infamous Frost Fair. Thomasina dreams of asking Father Winter to bring her brother back to her. But what they find may not be the stuff of dreams.
Another fun read for you or the kids in your life is A Christmasaurus Carol by Tom Fletcher. The beloved Christmasaurus makes its return in the latest addition to Fletcher’s series. This time, the holidays are in danger after a copy of A Christmas Carol is brought to life, releasing Ebenezer Scrooge into the real world. William, Santa, and their trusty spirited dinosaur must act quickly to protect Christmas.
Social Media
As Christmas approaches and the festive books begin to gain traction once again, Tessa Bailey’s Wreck the Halls is a novel capturing lots of attention. Shy and reserved Melody has been quietly hiding away from the tabloid limelight, but what if getting out of her comfort zone also means falling in love? A hilarious and sexy standalone rom-com that is sure to raise your Christmas spirits this December.
If romance isn’t for you, but you’re still looking to be whisked away this holiday season, then perhaps Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree is the one for you. Set in the same world as Legends & Lattes, Baldree’s new book is just as immersive and cosy. When warrior Viv is thrown off her career path by an unexpected injury, she finds herself waiting out time in the sleepy town of Murk. But perhaps this town is not as slow-moving as she initially thought…
Noteworthy Author
Argentine novelist and screenwriter Claudia Piñeiro is best known for her mystery and crime fiction novels. She has won literary awards globally, including the German LiBeraturpreis and the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Prize awarded to books written in Spanish. More locally, her novel Elena Knows, translated by Frances Riddle, was shortlisted for the Internal Booker Prize 2022, while another of her novels, A Little Luck, was a finalist for the same award. If you’re looking to broaden your horizons and delve deeper into global literature, Claudia Piñeiro’s novels are a beautiful, mesmerising and captivating route to take.