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Seasonal reads: Books to dive into this busy time of year

The end of the year is often a time for reflection, connection, and a little cozy escape — whether that’s in a favorite chair with a cup of tea or curled up under a blanket while the world rushes by. This season, I’ve rounded up a mix of books I’ve reviewed that are perfect for December reading, from thought-provoking literary stories to chills that aren’t just from the winter air.

Stories that make you think about family and connection

Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino — A story that delves deeply into family dynamics, with a narrative that lingers long after you finish it. Beautyland is a winner of the American Book Award and a Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, making it a standout choice for thoughtful seasonal reading.

Do Not Follow by Surbhi Bansal — A story that will leave readers reflecting on the ties that bind us, both the ones we’re born into and the ones we create.

Joy Moody is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne — Explores how sometimes found family can mean more than biological family, reminding us of the importance of chosen connections.

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Book Reviews, Find Your Next Read

When going home means facing the ghosts you tried to forget: Do Not Follow by Surbhi Bansal

Returning home after years away can feel like stepping back into a life you no longer recognize. In Do Not Follow by Surbhi Bansal, that homecoming forces one woman to confront the choices, expectations, and silences that have shaped her entire life.

Get your copy of Do Not Follow from my independent online bookstore today!

Seema, once a promising surgeon, is now a consignment store owner living far from the path her family imagined for her. When her father dies, she returns to Albany after seventeen years to help her mother sort through their family home. What follows is a deeply emotional story about grief, identity, and the unspoken costs of cultural and familial duty.

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