Each holiday season, friends ask me to suggest books for gifts. Of the books I read this year, I would suggest the following as ones I really, REALLY enjoyed:

Cascade by Maryanne O’Hara (my review: https://drbethnolan.wordpress.com/2012/09/20/review-cascade-by-maryanne-ohara/ )

I can’t say enough about how much I loved this story and could not put it down!

The Unfinished Work of Elizabeth D by Nichole Bernier (my review: https://drbethnolan.wordpress.com/2012/03/01/review-the-unfinished-work-of-elizabeth-d-by-nichole-bernier/ )

Another great work of fiction that stayed with me and kept me thinking about the characters and storyline.

The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt – A Novel in Pictures by Caroline Preston (my review: https://drbethnolan.wordpress.com/2012/06/26/review-the-scrapbook-of-frankie-pratt-a-novel-in-pictures-by-caroline-preston-5/ ) 

I just loved this unique story idea and beautiful visuals!

I have two biographies I’m reading now that I’m really enjoying (that I got on Amazon and at Orchard House) –

The Lives of Margaret Fuller: A Biography by John Matteson

Marmee and Louisa: the Untold Story of Louisa May Alcott and her Mother by Eve La Plante

Wish I could say I had a serious mystery or historical mystery I found uber-compelling, but nothing comes to mind. I have purchased my husband the latest Ken Follett book though, and will undoubtedly read it. I’ll have to think more about my cozies…

I also have to think more about historical fiction…

UPDATE: While I read this book in 2011 as a pre-release, it came out in January and I highly recommend it to lovers of historical fiction, WWII genre: “The Baker’s Daughter” by Sarah McCoy – Review here: https://drbethnolan.wordpress.com/2011/12/26/review-the-bakers-daughter-by-sarah-mccoy-coming-out-in-january/

As for YA, the most wonderful YA book I read this year isn’t out yet for you regular folks. It’s my friend Cal Armistead’s “Being Henry David”. But you can pre-order it on Amazon! Here’s my review: https://drbethnolan.wordpress.com/2012/11/13/ya-review-being-henry-david-by-cal-armistead-releasing-march-2013/

What’s on your giving list this year?