Book Riot - The Podcast The 2025 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 2
Dec 1, 2025
Get ready for a dazzling array of holiday book recommendations! Discover cozy reads like 'In the Time of Butterflies' and 'The Elegance of the Hedgehog' for WWII-weary audiences. Perfect audiobooks for family trips are also on the list, featuring enchanting tales like 'The Night Circus'. Unearth clever thrillers akin to 'Ocean's Eleven' with suggestions like 'The Cartographers'. From gifts for outside lovers to must-read under-the-radar authors, this episode wraps you in the joy of reading for the festive season!
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Episode notes
Shift Historical Fiction Geographically
- Move historical fiction away from WWII by switching continents and dictatorships to refresh a reader's interest.
- Try Julia Alvarez's In the Time of Butterflies to keep high stakes and strong female characters without WWII context.
Pick Cozy, Enveloping Literary Fiction
- For cozy, character-driven reads try Marie-Helene Bertino or Muriel Barbery for light literary charm.
- Consider A Gentleman in Moscow or Pachinko for enveloping narratives that explore different cultures and eras.
Choose Family-Friendly Audiobooks
- For family car audiobooks choose narrated, accessible stories like The Night Circus or House in the Cerulean Sea.
- Try middle-grade mysteries like The Parker Inheritance for kid-friendly plots with educational elements.