9 New Books To Read in December

Sharing nine books I've read and loved, four book-to-screen adaptations worth considering, and my December plans.

Dec 05, 2024

Welcome to The Journal, a ~~Tuesday~~ Thursday dispatch where I share my musings on all things literary and life. You’ll find personal recommendations, reflections, and thoughtfully curated books.

December Reads, Holiday Memories, & Permission to Slow Down 🎄📚🎬

Hiya bookish besties! December is here, and with it comes the flurry of holiday activities, which can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming.

Over the years, I’ve learned to spread the joy across the entire winter rather than cramming everything into one month. For example, my family and I save a lot of the baking and crafting for post-New Year’s weekends—it gives us something cozy and creative to look forward to when the holiday rush settles. After all, the best memories don’t have to be made only at Christmas; the little things throughout the year matter just as much.

It was such a treat to have my mum, sister, and my sister’s boyfriend visit over Thanksgiving, and I’m looking forward to more family joining us for Christmas and friends for the New Year. That said, I’m also holding space for those spending the holidays alone—whether by choice or circumstance.

This season feels especially bittersweet as my maternal grandmother passed away early this week. Supporting my mum through her grief has reminded me that the holidays can carry both joy and sorrow, and it’s okay to embrace both.

No matter what your December looks like, if you need a moment to escape into a good story, I’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find nine new books to add to your December TBR and four book adaptations.

Until next time, slow down and savor the little things.

Nine New December Books I’ve Read and Loved:

As the holiday lights glow and the winter chill sets in, there’s nothing better than curling up with a good book.

Rental House by Weike Wang

Follows Keru, a Chinese American woman, and her white husband, Nate, as they navigate cultural and familial tensions during two vacations with their respective parents. Sharing rental homes in Cape Cod and the Catskills, the couple confronts differing values and prejudices, prompting introspection about their relationship and family dynamics.

Get a copy on Amazon or Bookshop

Gabriel's Moon by William Boyd

Follows London-based writer Gabriel Dax, who becomes entangled in British intelligence operations after interviewing Congolese Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba in 1960. Upon returning to England, Gabriel is approached by MI6 for a seemingly simple task, but soon finds himself navigating a perilous world of espionage, including encounters with the CIA and revelations about double agents.

Get a copy on Amazon or Bookshop

Sister Snake by Amanda Lee Koe

Reimagines the Chinese folktale "The Legend of the White Snake," following two sisters—Su, a politician's wife in Singapore, and Emerald, a queer sugar baby in New York—who were once snakes in ancient China and transformed into human women. Their divergent lives explore themes of chosen family, queerness, and the struggle against conformity.

Get a copy on Amazon or Bookshop

Woo Woo by Ella Baxter

A satirical novel that delves into the art world's pretensions through the experiences of Sabine, a conceptual artist preparing for a significant gallery exhibition. As she navigates the pressures of her upcoming show, Sabine's anxiety intensifies, leading to surreal encounters and a blurred line between reality and performance.

Get a copy on Amazon or Bookshop

My Darling Boy by Helen Cooper

A psychological thriller set in a close-knit English village, where a tragic altercation between two young men, Leo and Robbie, results in Robbie's death and Leo's imprisonment. The incident shatters the bond between their mothers, Chrissy and Alice, once best friends. As Leo's release approaches, he mysteriously disappears, prompting Chrissy to uncover hidden truths about the night of the tragedy and the secrets entwining their families.

Get a copy on Amazon or Bookshop

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The Rivals by Jane Pek

This book continues the story of Claudia Lin (from The Verifiers) who is now co-running Veracity, a detective agency specializing in investigating online dating profiles. When a client dies under suspicious circumstances, Claudia uncovers a complex conspiracy involving AI-generated personas and corporate espionage within the matchmaking industry.

Get a copy on Amazon or Bookshop

The Voyage Home by Pat Barker

This is the third installment in the Trojan War series. The novel follows Ritsa, who is enslaved by the Trojans, and Cassandra, the prophetic daughter of King Priam, as they journey to Mycenae with Greek commander Agamemnon after Troy's fall. The narrative alternates between Ritsa's first-person perspective and third-person chapters focusing on Clytemnestra, Agamemnon's wife, who is plotting revenge for the sacrifice of their daughter, Iphigenia.

Get a copy on Amazon or Bookshop

What the Wife Knew by Darby Kane

A domestic thriller that follows Addison, the young widow of esteemed pediatric surgeon Dr. Richmond Dougherty, who died under suspicious circumstances after two prior accidents during their brief ninety-seven-day marriage. As law enforcement and the community, led by Richmond's first wife, Kathryn, scrutinize Addison, she becomes the target of escalating threats, including a menacing note stating, "You will pay."

Get a copy on Amazon or Bookshop

No Place to Bury the Dead by Karina Sainz Borgo, translated by Elizabeth Bryer

Follows Angustias, a woman seeking refuge in a plague-stricken land controlled by a brutal cartel, after the death of her twin sons. She finds solace in a contested cemetery overseen by the formidable Visitación Salazar, becoming entangled in a power struggle with the cartel leader, Abundio. Readers can expect a stark, intimate narrative that delves into themes of grief, survival, and the quest for sanctuary amid pervasive violence.

Get a copy on Amazon or Bookshop

Four book-to-screen adaptations worth considering

While I haven’t personally watched these, as they’re upcoming, and while I can’t vouch for them, I still think they’re worth your consideration as they caught my attention.

That Christmas: In a small seaside town, families must come together to save Christmas after Santa makes a mistake and a snowstorm disrupts holiday traditions. Available on Netflix starting December 4th.
Nightbitch: A stay-at-home mom begins transforming into a dog-like creature, forcing her to confront her identity and the wild instincts of motherhood. Available in theaters starting December 4th.
One Hundred Years of Solitude: The Buendía family navigates love, greed, and tragedy over generations in the magical, isolated town of Macondo. Available on Netflix starting December 11th.
The Road Trip: Exes Addie and Dylan are forced into a chaotic road trip to a wedding, where unresolved feelings and past misunderstandings come to light. Available on Paramount+ starting December 26th.

Please let me know what books are on YOUR December TBR in the comments. What new, backlist, or classic books are you looking forward to reading this month? Also, are you looking forward to any of the adaptations? I’d love to hear from you.

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