My little winter reading list.
Please note, books are c/o Powell’s Books.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
There can never be enough books. I mean, truly. So you can only imagine how I felt walking into Powell’s Books for the first time ever. As an avid reader who’s been reading for fun for as long as I can remember, it was pure bliss.
Room after room, shelf after shelf – gosh, I could have moved right in and set up camp for the week…err…. year.
It was like a dream come true; and naturally, it was the top item on my to-do list while I was in Portland, Oregon, for the first time. I know, I know – I go to Portland every year, but the east coast Portland!
Of course, I went in to peruse for as long as possible. Yet, I was also on a mission. For years, and I mean years, I have been searching for a specific copy of Ramona Quimby, Age 8. It was a book I remember reading and loving as a child. I even remember how good the book felt in my hands as I flipped through the yellowed pages time and time again.
It was one of my all-time favorites.
And, then my copy ceased to exist. When my family and I abruptly moved back up north from Texas, nearly all of our childhood belongings disappeared. It was a tumultuous time, but I remember how that book brought me such comfort, which made me miss it that much more when I no longer had my little orange copy with that sweet, curious face on the cover.
So, this was it. I was sure of it. That, if any bookstore were to have that specific little copy of Ramona Quimby, Age 8, it would be Powell’s.
So, I found the room it would be located in if they did have it in stock. As I stepped in, my eyes glossed quickly over the spines, looking for that one gem, in particular. My fingers grazed the shelves as I worked my way down, all the way to the very bottom of the shelf. And, there it was. The exact copy I had spent years searching for. And, it was all mine.
There was something so sweet and joyful about that moment for me, it brought me back to my earlier childhood – one that was so clear as I thought back to it. I was downright merry. Powell’s has, ever since, held a special place in my heart.
My Winter Reading List
Now that you understand why I love Powell’s so much, let’s get to the reading list! I ordered all of these titles directly from Powell’s because supporting local businesses makes my heart sing, especially as a fellow small business owner myself.
If you’re planning to shop small and support local (even if it’s not local to you!) – which I truly hope you do – think about gifting a few books this year right from Powell’s – the only bookstore that can truly be called “a city of books.”
And, if you are ordering from Powell’s, I have something for you. 20% off! YES. Seriously. All you have to do is pop the code “GABIANDPOWELLS” in the checkout page through November 1 and your entire order is 20% off*. I know, I know – I’m thrilled, too.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
The Midnight Library has been at the top of my winter reading list for what feels like ages, and it’s not even winter, yet! Here’s why. In Haig’s most recent novel, there’s a library between life and death. And, each book gives you the chance to try out a life different from the one you lived, giving you the opportunity to see how things would have transpired if you had made other decisions. Incredible, right?
Just Like You by Nick Hornby
A modern love story? I’m there. One with a completely unexpected love interest? Sign me up. I can’t wait to see how Lucy and Joseph’s story weaves together with a meet-cute at a butcher counter.
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland
I remembered seeing The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart over on Bookstagram a while back and I bookmarked it immediately. I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but come on. Look at this one. Ringland’s novel follows Alice as she learns the hard way that she must break the patterns of the past while living through the experiences that define her story.
Daddy by Emma Cline
I’m not the most frequent reader of short stories, but something about Cline’s first collection has intrigued me. And it just might be the preview of the collection on the Powell’s website, which reads, “An absentee father collects his son from boarding school after a shocking act of violence. A nanny to a celebrity family hides out in Laurel Canyon in the aftermath of a tabloid scandal. A young woman sells her underwear to strangers. A notorious guest arrives at a placid, not-quite rehab in the Southwest.”
The Great Offshore Grounds by Vanessa Veselka
When I saw that The Great Offshore Grounds was a staff pick at Powell’s, I knew it was meant to be. On the title, Gigi L. raves, “Vanessa Veselka is a keen observer of the world and a powerhouse storyteller, and you can’t help but fall in love with sisters Livy and Cheyenne. The Great Offshore Grounds is a gritty but luminous epic, beautifully cerebral, a deeply real story with touches of surrealism, loads of dark humor, and loads of heart.”
Luster by Raven Leilani
Luster has been everywhere as of late, and I cannot wait to join in on the conversation about Raven Leilani’s work, which has quickly become a must-read for many. Luster is another staff pick, and if this doesn’t seal the deal for you, I’m not sure what will:
“In phenomenal prose (Edie’s descriptions and observations about the world are impeccable), Raven Leilani has captured complex, intimate ways that people help and hurt each other, the drudgery of modern workplaces and the gig economy, twisting paths of finding creative passions, the pains of IBS, and so much more.” – Michelle C.
Which title are you most excited to read this winter? I can’t wait to hear what you have on your reading list!
g.
* Offer good at Powells.com only with orders using the coupon code GABIANDPOWELLS and placed before 11:59 p.m. PT, November 1, 2020. This offer does not apply to signed editions, ticketed event preorders, short discount items, Powell’s Cards, eGift Cards, select games, Indispensable, or BOOX. Cannot be combined with other offers.
