It’s the time of year for a blanket, a hot drink and novel reading. Here are recommendations from four book worms.
The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr. (Jan. 5, 2021)
“This kaleidoscopic novel centered around a plantation in the Deep South weaves together various perspectives from the people living there, most of whom are enslaved. Anchored by the love story of two young men, this lyrical story evokes a vast spectrum of emotion and creates an epic that feels epic in scope, but also like each chapter is its own private universe.” —Lelia Nebeker, book buyer, One More Page Books
The Valancourt Book of Victorian Christmas Ghost Stories edited by Tara Moore
“Valancourt is a plucky little publisher based in Richmond and every year releases a new volume of Christmas ghost stories. Historians say it’s no big surprise that the most enduring Christmas tale is a ghost story: Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Telling ghost stories on Christmas Eve was a time-honored tradition and hit its peak in the 19th century, but it’s been mostly forgotten. Valancourt is resurrecting the tradition. Ghost story lovers can purchase the first three volumes now, and the fourth volume is due out this winter.” —Lindley Estes, social media director, Riverby Books
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
“Piranesi’s house is filled with infinite rooms, endless corridors and walls lined with thousands of statues. Within the halls is an ocean, but Piranesi knows the tides and the labyrinthine halls. One other person resides in the house who asks Piranesi for help researching ‘A Great and Secret Knowledge.’ As Piranesi explores, evidence reveals a world beyond the one Piranesi has always known.” —Aaron Duplissey, assistant branch manager, Brambleton Library
Recipe for Persuasion: A Novel by Sonali Dev
“Dev’s take on Jane Austen’s Persuasion, this second-chance romance is a clever and warm novel made all the more interesting by the Raje family and their complicated relationships. There was plenty to think about and plenty to enjoy. You can almost hear the Bollywood soundtrack playing in the background as you read.” —Rachel Wood, owner, Scrawl Books
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