Gift Guide

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(Mostly) Non-Political Books for a Political Time

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So… it’s 2024. A Presidential election year in my country, the US of A.

Everyone has opinions, everyone has feelings.

I got it. This isn’t really one of those blog posts.

Since I was in high school, I’ve read political memoir/ non-fiction from a purely educational/ informational place.

If you, like me, are interested in “political history” but not really wanting politics, I wanted to share my favorite recommendations that give insight into how the presidential elections and the White House work.

I can’t promise that there’s NO politics in these books (and I don’t know everyone’s preferences) but I can promise that these are MOSTLY as nonpolitical as memoir/non-fiction about the White House can get…

The Residence - Kate Anderson Brower

First Women - Kate Anderson Brower

Game Change - John Heileman & Mark Halperin

Who Thought This Was a Good Idea - Alyssa Mastromonaco

I’ll Take Your Questions Now - Stephanie Grisham

If you like getting book recommendations from a reader/ author like me, subscribe to my newsletter Women With Books !

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Recommendations for Mother's Day Books!

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As a mom, who has a mom, and has friends and relatives who are moms, I think one of the very best gifts you can give a woman is quiet time with a good book. And her favorite beverage.

Partners and children, please take note:
1. Quiet time.
2. Good books
3. Beverage.

If you do all the above (and take her out for a meal she doesn’t have to cook or clean) then you will win.

Without further ado, here are my top book giving recommendations for a woman in your life.
*I purposely picked books that were low on “spice,” for lack of a better term, to better serve a wide swatch of grandmas, teachers, aunts, etc. But hey - if your grandma loves some spice in her books, go find that woman her type of book!

All of these books feature multi-generations of related women, with all the joy and complexity of those relationships. I hope you find something you - or someone you love - will enjoy during your (their) quiet time with your (their) favorite beverage.

The Women - Kristin Hannah

The Mystery in Moonshine - Lindsay Emory

Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe - Heather Webber

Dial A for Aunties - Jesse Q. Sutanto

A Little Ray of Sunshine - Kristan Higgins

If you like getting book recommendations from a reader/ author like me, subscribe to my newsletter Women With Books !

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What Books To Read this Christmas Holiday Season!

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What Holiday Book Should I read?

It’s that time of year! Time to curl up in a front of a fire – or go to bed early – with a lovely, cozy holiday book.

But there are so many! How can you choose?

I developed the Lindsay Emory Holiday Book Quiz to help you pick the perfect read this Christmas.

Get a piece of paper and a pen and answer this easy 6 question quiz!

1.       My favorite holiday recipes come from …

a.   Great Grandma Margaret’s time tested recipe books

b.      Pinterest

c.      Hallmark Home & Family

d.      Nigella Lawson

2.       My feelings about Emma Thompson…

a.       She was iconic in Sense & Sensibility

b.      She’s ruined Christmas with Last Christmas

c.       Oh! She married her cute coworker, right? That actor?

d.      I just love her British accent. It sounds so posh.

3.       My perfect holiday season isn’t complete without…

a.       Traditions like Christmas crackers, stockings & caroling

b.      A re-watch of Love, Actually

c.       A marathon of Hallmark movies & baking cookies

d.      A charcuterie board & champagne

4.       My Spotify holiday playlist includes…

a.      Carols and Celtic music

b.      Last Christmas by Wham!

c.       All I Want For Christmas is You by Mariah Carey

d.      Classics by Michael Buble and Tony Bennett

5.       My must-have holiday wardrobe accessory…

a.      A hand-knitted Scottish wool scarf

b.      A red Starbucks cup

c.      A fun Christmas sweatshirt & holiday leggings

d.      A French linen apron & Loro Piana sweater

6.       The holiday recipe I most want to try to make:

a.       A traditional figgy pudding

b.      Hot chocolate spiked with Peppermint Schnapps and Godiva liqueur

c.       Stuffed Caramel Pretzel Skillet Cookie (from Hallmark Channel Home & Family)

d.      Martha Stewart’s classic eggnog with fresh grated nutmeg

 

Now review all your answers… Did you get…

Mostly A’s? You will LOVE a historical romance!

Carriages, long walks in the country and yule logs make you swoon like a debutante at a Christmas ball.

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A Christmas Gone Perfectly Wrong – Cecilia Grant (FREE!)

The Swan – Piper Huguley

How the Dukes Stole Christmas – Tessa Dare, Joanna Shupe, Sophie Jordan and Sarah MacLean

 

Mostly B’s? You’re a Rom Com Fan (Who’s Probably Pissed about that Last Christmas Plot Twist)

Mix meet cutes with a little banter and add a whole lot of romantic tension and that’s your recipe for a perfect holiday read…

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The Island Christmas Spirit – Lindsay Emory

Royal Holiday – Jasmine Guillory

One Day in December – Josie Silver

UPDATED FOR 2020: Try the Christmas Actually anthology! 11 short holiday romantic comedies!

 

Mostly C’s? You’re a Tried and True Hallmark Addict

You know exactly what you want to read about - a reindeer farm, a baking contest, a small town inn. Lucky for you, I have the best Hallmark movies in book form picked out for you…

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The Secret Ingredient – Nancy Naigle

Sleighbell Sweethearts – Teri Wilson

A Gingerbread Romance – Lacey Baker

 

Mostly D’s? You Will LOVE yourself some Designer Destination Holiday Porn

How does Christmas in Cornwall, Colorado, Nantucket, or Wales sound? You’re sure to love a literary trip to a beautiful spot where breathtaking views, charming villages and decadent dinners await…

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