Kerryn Mayne – Write on the World

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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What happens when doing the wrong thing might actually be the most loving choice? That’s the central question at the heart of Joy Moody is Out of Time by Kerryn Mayne, a novel that blends quirky crime with an emotionally complex family story.

Get your copy of Joy Moody is Out of Time from my independent online bookstore today!

Behind the bubblegum-pink facade of Joyful Suds laundromat in Bayside, Australia, Joy Moody has been raising her twin daughters, Cassie and Andie, under a carefully constructed lie. For nearly twenty-one years, she’s told them a fantastical tale about their destiny, a story designed to protect them—but also one that has left them isolated from the world around them. When Joy is suddenly found dead on the twins’ twenty-first birthday, the truth unravels, and the girls are left to face a world they are utterly unprepared for.

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