15th Annual Holiday Book Buying Guide

by Donna Huber

Wow - 15 years! I started the very first year of Girl Who Reads, putting together a guide for books to buy the readers on your list. It is the only feature that I still regularly run, as it is a lot of fun to look back at what I've read over the year that I would recommend giving as a gift. It has changed just a little this year. I decided that I would go back to December 2025 to determine the books I would recommend. I always feel bad when I read an awesome book in December, and I've already done my guide. So here are the BEST books I've read since December 2025! 

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. Most of the books listed here were provided free for an honest review. 

Historical Fiction

Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. It is good for both men and women, and though all the ones that I'm recommending as the best I've read this past year feature women in history, I think the plots will be of interest to a wide audience. My list is always a little heavy on historical fiction, but I'm happy to say only 2 are set during WWII - I've been trying to branch out a little.

Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas

April 2025; St. Martin's Press; 978-1250352309
audio, ebook, print (288 pages); historical fiction

In this homage to True Grit, a young woman makes a perilous journey west in 1863 in search of her gold-mining father. (Goodreads)

Sandra Dallas is one of my favorite non-WWII historical fiction authors. She has made me enjoy other time periods such as the progressive era. I wasn't sure about reading a book set in the 1860s and a western to boot. But I knew if anyone could make it an interesting and enjoyable read it would be Dallas. And I wasn't wrong. Read my full review and you can also get Susan's opinion as she reviewed Tough Luck, too. 

Buy Tough Luck at Amazon

Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung

May 2025; Berkley; 978-0593640548
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); historical fiction

A propulsive, extraordinary novel about a mother and her daughters’ harrowing escape to Taiwan as the Communist revolution sweeps through China, by debut author Eve J. Chung, based on her family story. (Goodreads)

Daughters of Shandong was nominated last year in the Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Debut Novel. It is an incredible read. It is a book about more than human resilience. I learned a lot of Chinese history, the rise of Communism in China, and a better understanding of the China-Taiwan relationship. It is now available in paperback if the reader on your list prefers that format. Read my full review.

Buy Daughters of Shandong at Amazon

The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana Chambers

Octtober 2024; Sourcebooks Landmark; 978-1464219047
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); biographical fiction

Before she mastered the art of French cooking in midlife, Julia Child found herself working in the secrets trade in Asia during World War II, a journey that will delight both historical fiction fans and lovers of America's most beloved chef, revealing how the war made her into the icon we know now. (Goodreads)

I grew up watching Julia Child cook on PBS but that is all I knew about her life. I read a cozy mystery series where she is a secondary character (the neighbor of the amatuer sleuth). It is set just after the war so I got a few glimpses of her life before her cooking show, but The Secret War of Julia Child revealed so much about her. And it was fascinating. While it is about WWII, it is set in the Pacific Theater (India and China).  Check out my full review and if you want another opinion, check out Susan's review.

Also, if you think the reader on your list will enjoy this book, you might also want to consider Propaganda Girls in the nonfiction - history section below as some of the secondary characters in The Secret War of Julia Child are featured in Propaganda Girls. 

Buy The Secret War of Julia Child at Amazon

Let's Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen

January 2025; Berkley; 978-0593953631
audio, ebook, print (432 pages); biographical fiction

When Ruth Handler walks into the boardroom of the toy company she co-founded and pitches her idea for a doll unlike any other, she knows what she’s setting in motion. It might just take the world a moment to catch up. (Goodreads)

At first, this was not a book I thought I would care to read. I wasn't a huge Barbie fans growing up. I had a few but I prefered other dolls to them. But with the Barbie movie still making appearances in the media and everyone being excited about Barbie, I gave into the hype and thought why not? I'm so glad I did read it. Let's Call Her Barbie is about so much more that than the doll. At times it reminded me of the TV show Mad Men, but set in the toy industry. Read my full review. Susan also read it, if you want to check out her review.

Buy Let's Call Her Barbie at Amazon

The Martha's Vineyards Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly

Two sisters living on Martha’s Vineyard during World War II find hope in the power of storytelling when they start a wartime book club for women in this spectacular novel inspired by true events. (Goodreads)

This is another WWII book. It is set on the homefront in the U.S. I haven't read a lot of WWII books set in the U.S. and I always find them interesting in contrast to homefront novel set in England. Martha Hall Kelly is one of my favorite historical fiction authors and I've really enjoyed all the books I've read by her. She writes her characters so well that you feel so connected to them. Read my full review.

Buy The Martha's Vineyards Beach and Book Club at Amazon

Nonfiction - History

A few years ago, after reading WWII historical fiction based on true events and people, I decided I wanted to read some nonfiction books on the subjects. I usually read 1 or 2 a year, but they don't usually make my best list unless I'm looking to recommend something specifically in the category. These 3 books ranked right up there with the fiction novels.

The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto by Elizabeth Hyman

October 2025; Harper Perennial; 978-0063355019
audio, ebook, print (352 pages); history nonfiction

A Holocaust historian, archivist, and history blogger adds a new dimension to the story of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising during World War II, shining a long overdue spotlight on five young, Polish Jewish women—champions who helped lead the resistance, sabotage the Nazis, and aid Jews in hiding across occupied Poland and Eastern Europe. (Goodreads)

I'm so happy that more stories of women during WWII are being told. There are a lot of books written about the French resistance, but this is the first book I've encountered that touches on the Polish resistance and more fully on the Jewish resistance in the Warsaw Ghetto. I knew that the uprising had happened, but no real details. While that is the central event, we see so much more of the resistance both before and after the uprising. Read my full review.

Buy The Girl Bandits of the Warsaw Ghetto at Amazon

Propaganda Girls: The Secret War of the Woman in the OSS by Lisa Rogak

The incredible untold story of four women who helped win WWII by generating a wave of black propaganda. (Goodreads)

It was a pleasant surprise when I started this book to recognize some of the names as they had appeared in The Secret War of Julia Child. I had previously read a book on the OSS and the "dirty tricks" they used to win the war. So I was aware of the propaganda they put out to demoralize the enemy. But this book really looked at the life of these 4 woman who were involved in the work. I found the story about the Embassy in Tokyo and how some of the staff (and their families) who were still there when war was declared. I have recommended this to so many people since I read it (actually I listened to the audiobook). Read my review.

Buy Propaganda Girls at Amazon

The Last Secret Agent by Pippa Latour

After decades of silence, the last surviving World War II British spy reveals the real, untold story of her time as a secret agent in the deadly world of Nazi France. (Goodreads)

I have read several biographical fiction stories of British spies and I always think about reading their memiors if there is one cited in the author's note. But I haven't done so. Pippa Latour lived a pretty extraordinary life (even prior to the war) so it was interesting hearing her story. Read my review.

Buy The Last Secret Agent at Amazon

Nonfiction - Science

Since in my day job I'm a science writer, I tend to read a lot of science nonfiction. I've also always been interested in the environment and natural world. None of these books are overly technical. The second book in this section is about equally a science as it is a memoir - I learned so much about India while reading it.

Everything Tuberculosis by John Green

March 2025; Crash Course Books; 978-0525556572
audio, ebook, print (208 pages); science nonfiction

Tuberculosis has been entwined with humanity for millennia. Once romanticized as a malady of poets, today tuberculosis is seen as a disease of poverty that walks the trails of injustice and inequity we blazed for it. (Goodreads)

This has probably been one of the most popular science nonfiction books of late. I needed a short audiobook to fill a gap in my audiobook listening and my library had a digital copy. I haven't read anything by John Green but I know he's a popular author. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. 

Buy Everything Tuberculosis at Amazon

A Billion Butterflies by Jagadish Shukla

April 2025; St. Martin's Press; 978-1250289209
audio, ebook, print (288 pages); science memoir

Consider a world without weather prediction. How would we know when to evacuate communities ahead of fires or floods, or figure out what to wear tomorrow? Until 40 years ago, we couldn’t forecast weather conditions beyond ten days. Renowned climate scientist Dr. Jagadish Shukla is largely to thank for modern weather forecasting. Born in rural India with no electricity, plumbing, or formal schools, he attended classes that were held in a cow shed. Shukla grew up amid overwhelming monsoons, devastating droughts, and unpredictable crop yields. His drive brought him to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, despite little experience. He then followed an unlikely path to MIT and Princeton, and the highest echelons of climate science. His work, which has enabled us to predict weather farther into the future than previously thought possible, allows us to feed more people, save lives, and hold on to hope in a warming world. (Goodreads)

This book is part climatology, part memoir. I've never really thought about how weather forecasting happened prior to all the modern technology we have. I learn just as much about climate predictions as I did about the socio-political aspects of Indian. It was a fascinating book. Read my full review.

Buy A Billion Butterflies at Amazon

The Everyday Naturalist by Rebecca Lexa

July 2025; Ten Speed Press; 978-0593835975
ebook, print (272 pages); environmental nonfiction

Learn to identify animals, plants, and fungi wherever you go with this step-by-step guide for spotting and recording key traits and characteristics. (Goodreads)

The last few summers, I've been going to Naturalist Camp, and before I went this past summer, I read several books on observing. This book fits perfectly into that focus. Though I had taken several biology courses in college that were about identification (we even used dichotomous keys), I was just never very good at it. I just didn't understand what I was supposed to be noticing. I loved how Lexa laid out her book. It was so helpful, not only to identify things but also the way she journals and records her observations. I used a number of her tips while at camp this summer. Read my review.

Buy The Everyday Naturalist at Amazon

Suspense

The Unraveling of Julia by Lisa Scottoline

Jult 2025; Grand Central Publishing; 978-1538769997
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); suspense

A gothic, suspenseful tale in which a young widow inherits a Tuscan estate from a mysterious benefactor and finds herself thrust into the crosshairs of a dangerous conspiracy. (Goodreads)

Lisa Scottoline is one of my favorite thriller/suspense authors. I didn't want to put it down - it is such a thrill ride. The gothic elements are new for a Scottoline novel, but she incorporates them brilliantly. Read my review.

Buy The Unraveling of Julia at Amazon

Perfect Storm by Paige Shelton

December 2024; Minotaur Books; 978-1250910462
audio, ebook, print (256 pages); mystery 

A gripping, atmospheric, traditional mystery series with a great wilderness hook. (Goodreads)

I will admit part of my decision to go back to December to compile my best books to give as gifts list is because of this series. It is so good, and the new book would come out the week after I ran my list on Black Friday. It looks like this series is complete (though the Goodreads summary for this book stated "next installment", there is no new book this year). I hate that it is over, but the last novel was satisfying. If you have a voracious reader on your list, why not splurge on the entire 6 book series? It really needs to be read in order to fully enjoy the overarching mystery saga. Read my review of Perfect Storm. 

Buy Perfect Storm at Amazon

Poetry

Girls on the Rise by Amanda Gorman

January 2025; Viking Books for Young Readers; 978-0593624203
audio, ebook, print (32 pages); poetry

Who are we? We are a billion voices, bright and brave; we are light, standing together in the fight. (Goodreads)

Girls on the Rise is technically a children's picture book, but the message is so good that I think anyone would love it. I read it for a Kindle Reading Challenge. Because my reading list is always so long, I usually look for really short books or kids' books to fulfill the challenge. I'm glad that I read this book. 

Buy Girls on the Rise at Amazon

Cozy Mystery

I read a lot of cozy mysteries, but they don't often make my best of list because, while comforting, they are usually pretty formulaic. This year has been tough, and I think I need the comfort and light-heartedness of a cozy mystery. Both of these books, from the same series, earned 5 stars. In a couple of weeks, there will be 24 books in the series (I'll be reviewing the new book in December). You can jump right in with this series, or spend the holidays binge-reading the series, which is available in Kindle Unlimited.

A Recipe for Murder Verity Bright

March 2025; Bookouture; 978-1803145297
audio, ebook, print (342 pages); cozy mystery

Cream cakes, cucumber sandwiches, apple tarts and… poison? Lady Swift is trying to plan the menu for her wedding, until murder strikes in kitchens across the village! (Goodreads)

This is book 21 in the series. It is a real treat for long-time fans of the series as Eleanor's wedding day has finally arrived. There is plenty for new readers to the series to enjoy as well. When I read this book, I wanted a book that I could be totally absorbed by, and I found that with this novel. It was like a comfy sweater that I could snuggle into. Read my review.

Buy A Recipe for Murder at Amazon

Death at a Paris Hotel by Verity Bright

June 2026; Bookouture; 978-1836188162
audio, ebook, print (318 pages); cozy mystery

For Lady Eleanor Swift, Paris means champagne at breakfast, romantic walks by the Eiffel Tower… and her deadliest case yet! (Goodreads)

This is book 22 in the series, and I think it is my favorite. I love how Hugh, Eleanor, and Clifford work together. Hugh and Eleanor are on their honeymoon, so we really get to see Hugh and Eleanor working together (in previous books, he didn't always have a big part). Read my review.

Buy Death at a Paris Hotel at Amazon

Post-apocalyptic

I read a good deal of post-apocalyptic/dystopian novels since I'm in a post-apocalyptic book club, so I'm kind of surprised I only read one that earned 5 stars.

All the Water in the World by Eiran Caffall 

January 2025; St. Martin's Press; 978-1250353528
audio, ebook, print (304 pages); post-apocalyptic

In the tradition of Station Eleven, a literary thriller set partly on the roof of New York’s Museum of Natural History in a flooded future. (Goodreads)

I was hoping that my book club would read this book when we set our new year of books in July. It just narrowly missed making the list. I think it is because the protagonist is a teenager, but the novel is not YA (though it definitely could be read by a teenager). The book is beautifully written. If you are giftRead my review.

Buy All the Water in the World at Amazon

Holiday

I love Christmas books and I'm looking forward to binging as many as I can between now and the end of December. Now that you have books for the readers on your list, you can kick back with a cup of cocoa and this holiday rom-com.

A Ferry Merry Christmas by Debbie Macomber

October 2025; Ballantine Books; 978-0593974674
audio, ebook, print (272 pages); holiday romance

A delayed ferryboat brings people together in the best of ways during the holiday season in this enchanting Christmas novel. (Goodreads)

I love Debbie Macomber's Christmas books. This holiday rom-com is a little different in that it isn't focused on just one couple. We get the story of several passengers on the stranded ferry. It is just a great, feel-good story that will turn your grumpy, stressed, humbug attitude into holiday cheerfulness. Read my review.

Buy A Ferry Merry Christmas at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour.

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