What to Read Instead of Taking a Turkey Nap

Looking for some reads this holiday week? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

These historical fiction novels are filled with stories you might not have heard about.

The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman

From the internationally bestselling author of What She Left Behind comes a gripping and powerful tale of upheaval—a heartbreaking saga of resilience and hope perfect for fans of Beatriz Williams and Kristin Hannah—set in Philadelphia during the 1918 Spanish Flu outbreak.

The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore

The glamorous world of a silent film star’s wife abruptly crumbles when she’s forcibly quarantined at the Carville Lepers Home in this page-turning story of courage, resilience, and reinvention set in 1920s Louisiana and Los Angeles.

Wild Women and the Blues by Denny S. Bryce

Jazz-age Chicago comes to vibrant life in Denny S. Bryce’s evocative novel that links the stories of an ambitious 1920’s chorus girl and a modern-day film student, both coming to grips with loss, forgiveness, and the limitations—and surprises—of love.

The Second Mrs. Astor by Shaba Abé

A mesmerizing novel of historical fiction from New York Times bestselling author Shana Abé, The Second Mrs. Astor tells the sweeping real-life Titanic love story of Madeleine Force, who became the bride of one of the world’s richest men, and triumphed over tragedy and heartache.

For anyone looking to get swept away with some romance.

Infamous by Minerva Spencer

Bridgerton fans and readers of Scarlett Scott, Darcy Burke, and K.J. Jackson won’t want to miss this smart and stirring new holiday love story from the acclaimed author of Outrageous….

Once a Laird by Mary Jo Putney

He yearns to escape his past. She’s determined to protect her future… Together, they discover ancient treasures and disturbing attraction in this thrilling and clever new love story from the historical romance legend. 

Bewitch the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

In this mesmerizing installment from New York Times bestselling author Alexandra Ivy, old lovers make the most ruthless new enemies . . .

The Virgin Who Bewitched Lord Lymington by Anna Bradley

Emma has been tasked with uncovering secrets at the Lymington family’s country estate—the scene of a rash of mysterious disappearances. Samuel Fitzroy, Marquess of Lymington, is no easy mark, and Emma fears he may see through both her disguise and her feigned indifference to his seductive charm . . .

Get cozy and solve some mysteries.

Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge

In this delightful new historical mystery series, Phyllida Bright, housekeeper and amateur sleuth, discovers a body in the library—and a mystery to baffle even her famous employer…

Murder Outside the Lines by Krista Davis

When a local bibliophile is soon discovered missing, a strange mystery begins to unroll. Now it’s up to Florrie and Jonquille to expose a killer’s true colors . . .

Killer Words by V.M. Burns

Bookstore owner, mystery writer, and amateur sleuth Samantha Washington and her Nana Jo confront their own relationship with law enforcement when a local cop who’s unjustly persecuted their family is accused of killing a person in his custody..

To the Tome of Murder by Lauren Elliott

Three weeks before Thanksgiving, bookshop owner Addie Greyborne already has a full plate—and a killer on her case…

Chilling thrillers and suspense novels perfect for chilly nights.

The Hunted by Lisa Childs

Things are not as they seem at Halcyon Hall, an exclusive spa on a remote island off the coast of Maine. From the moment pop star Olivia Smith arrives, there are rumors about women disappearing, and stories about the resort’s grisly past. Then a note arrives from her stalker, proving that nowhere is truly safe…

The Last Goodnight by Kat Martin

A cold case is heating up, and with another body turning up, one woman is hot on the trail of a killer…with the help of the rancher who hired her to deliver justice.

Devious by Lisa Jackson

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson’s riveting novel of heart-stopping suspense, New Orleans detectives Rick Bentz and Reuben Montoya race to help a grief-stricken woman discover the truth about a convent filled with unholy secrets…

Under Pressure by Sara Driscoll

FBI handler Meg Jennings and her K-9 partner, Hawk, are drawn into a case that involves a fortune in uncut gems, and an enemy whose power and ruthlessness know no bounds…

Reads for anyone who has already put up their lights.

The Twelve Days of Snowball by Kristen McKanagh

Just in time for the holidays, author Kristen McKanagh gifts readers with the latest heartwarming novel featuring lovable, irresistible, mischievous feline ball of fluff, Snowball. By now, the kitten we met in Snowball’s Christmas is all grown up, greeting guests at her Victorian B&B forever home near the mountains—and sharpening her matchmaking skills…

Christmas Dessert Murder by Joanne Fluke

It’s Christmas in Lake Eden, Minnesota, and there’s no better way to enjoy the holidays than by cozying up to two Hannah Swensen yuletide mysteries with a plateful of goodies from The Cookie Jar bakery…

Once in a Lifetime by Mary Monroe

Beloved, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe delivers a hopeful and heartwarming story about an impossible Christmas dream, an unexpected act of goodwill—and a surprising chain of events that could gift joy far beyond the holiday season…

Have a Holly, Haunted Christmas by Lynn Cahoon

Mia Malone is planning a holiday party to promote her catering and cooking school business—but she’s got a Christmas spirit to deal with first, in this new Kitchen Witch Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Lynn Cahoon . . .

A gift-giving guide for the bookworm in your life.

And They Lived Happily Ever After by Therese Beharrie

From acclaimed South African author Therese Beharrie, this #OwnVoices rom-com about a romance novelist with a touch of magic is loaded with heart, heat, and smart, sexy banter, while also addressing timely, weighty issues around the foster care system, mental health, and the power of creativity.

Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea

In this gripping new thriller from #1 international bestselling author Charlie Donlea, a TV news host sets out to uncover the truth behind a brutal, decades-old murder…

The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes

Set against the lush backdrop of early twentieth century Ecuador and inspired by the real-life history of the coastal town known as the birthplace of cacao, this captivating #OwnVoices novel from the award-winning author of The Sisters of Alameda Street tells the story of a resourceful young chocolatier who must impersonate a man in order to claim her birthright...