Laura’s Fireside Stack: Books for Savoring this Season

This holiday season, I have been looking for moments of reflection, warmth and inspiration amidst the holiday hustle. For me, a great book by the fire is the greatest way to escape. During yearend travels and stolen moments of quiet, I’ve enjoyed a mix of memoir, poetry, narrative insight and storytelling. I hope you’ll find something here that sparks your curiosity too.

Strong Ground by Brené Brown

Strong Ground is a powerful guide to personal resilience, courage and connection. As always, Brené Brown blends research with deeply human stories to help us consider what it means to build strength not by resisting challenges but by grounding ourselves in values and vulnerability. She reminds us that inner fortitude and empathy go hand in hand.

Bottomless Cup by Kevin Boehm

Bottomless Cup is a heartfelt exploration of people, place and passion. Kevin Boehm’s reflection on hospitality and human connection, drawn from his experiences building some of the country’s most beloved restaurants, offers wisdom about the small but profound moments that shape our days and the customer experience.

One Long River of Song by Brian Doyle

Brian Doyle’s One Long River of Song is an essay collection that celebrates the simple and profound poetry of everyday life. With lyricism and joy, Doyle reminds us that wonder is everywhere. It’s in nature, in memory and the rhythms of our routines.

Little Alleluias by Mary Oliver

Few poets capture the natural world with as much clarity and grace as Mary Oliver. Little Alleluias is a treasury of her most beloved poems, offering solace, gratitude and a renewed sense of wonder. As the year concludes and a new one begins, Oliver invites us to slow down, pay attention and find joy in the small miracles of daily life.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Virginia Evans weaves letters, essays and reflections into a tapestry that speaks to storytelling and human engagement. It’s a book that encourages us to think about how we communicate, connect and understand one another. It’s especially pertinent as we close one chapter of the calendar and look toward the next.

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Rounding out the list is Theo of Golden, a work of fiction that captivates with its warmth, depth and sense of place. Allen Levi crafts characters and relationships that you want to know better in a narrative that’s both moving and thoughtful. This is a book I’ll read again. It’s rich with insights that linger.