I’m not sure about you, but in the midst of the holiday preparations—gift giving, community celebrations (shout out to Indy Maven December Meet-Up: Holiday Mixer), and cookie making—I’m also excited for the slow, quiet, cold that January brings. I’m counting down the days until I can snuggle up with a ridiculous amount of blankets, my fur babies, and a great new read. In preparation, I always have a few books on my holiday wishlist, and so I asked the brilliant booksellers of the local Indianapolis bookstore for recommendations.
1. For the Mavens obsessed with dystopian fiction: “The Memory Police” by Yoko Ogawa
“‘The Memory Police’ by Yoko Ogawa is a beautiful and haunting dystopian novel. Set on an unnamed island, objects are disappearing: physically and from people’s memories: first hats, then ribbons, birds, and roses. No one is safe from this memory loss. First published in 1994, The Memory Police’s examination of surveillance and censorship is chilling in its timeliness. The setting and thought-provoking themes make this a fitting and necessary winter read. I read this book years ago, and it’s still a beloved favorite!” – Dom, Bookseller at The Whispering Shelf
On an unnamed island, objects are disappearing: first hats, then ribbons, birds, roses. . . . Most of the inhabitants are oblivious to these changes, while those few able to recall the lost objects live in fear of the draconian Memory Police, who are committed to ensuring that what has disappeared remains forgotten. When a young writer discovers that her editor is in danger, she concocts a plan to hide him beneath her floorboards, and together they cling to her writing as the last way of preserving the past. Powerful and provocative, The Memory Police is a stunning novel about the trauma of loss.
2. For Mavens who love a juicy memoir: “Next of Kin” by Gabrielle Hamilton
“Out now, ‘Next of Kin’ is a memoir that reads like both a compelling novel of family drama and mystery. I could not put it down.” – Tiffany, Owner of Wild Geese Bookshop
The youngest of five children, Gabrielle Hamilton took pride in her unsentimental, idiosyncratic family. She idolized her parents’ charisma and non-conformity. She worshipped her siblings’ mischievousness and flair. Hers was a family with no fondness for the humdrum.
3. For the Mavens who love all the feels: “Necessary Fiction” by Eloghosa Osunde
“A life-altering book! Osunde gives us a book that showcases queer chosen family at its finest. We watch our characters grapple with trauma, grief, love, coming of age, and healing. All while finding true acceptance and love within themselves and with their friends. Osundes’ writing surpasses the mundane and opens our imagination to the magic we can create. Each line is its own masterpiece!” – Cassie, Lead Bookseller at Loudmouth Books
In Necessary Fiction, Eloghosa Osunde poses these provocative questions and many more while exploring the paths and dreams, hopes and fears of more than two dozen characters who are staking out lives for themselves in contemporary Nigeria.
4. For Mavens snuggled up with their favorite Little Ones: “A Cup of Quiet” by Nikki Grimes
“We host several storytimes throughout the winter season, and ‘A Cup of Quiet’ by Nikki Grimes is one I can’t wait to share with our community. Nikki’s work has shaped generations, and it’s important to me to keep classic Black authors like her on our shelves and in the hearts of the next generation of readers. During the busyness of the holidays, this book invites children to slow down, cherish the company of their elders, and find wonder in the world around them.” —Natalie Pipkin, Founder/CEO of Black Worldschoolers Mobile Bookstore
When loud sounds of a busy day fill the air, Grandma gets thirsty for a cup of quiet. “That’s silly, Grandma,” her granddaughter says. “Quiet can’t fit in a cup, and you can’t drink it.” But together, they venture into the garden to collect the gentler sounds of nature in their cup of quiet. The buzz of a bee, the crackling of a dried leaf, the wind through the trees—until raindrops tap dance on the roof. By “refilling their cups” together, they bring joy and peace to their day. This imaginative and beautifully poetic story reminds readers that slowing down and sitting in the quiet is an essential part of life.
5. For Mavens who love a cozy mystery: “Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy
“Set on an island between Australia and Antarctica, this atmospheric mystery is the perfect page-turner for a cozy night in. But don’t get mad at me when it makes you cry. “ – Julia, Head Buyer and Co-owner at Tomorrow Bookstore
A family on a remote island. A mysterious woman washed ashore. A rising storm on the horizon. Dominic Salt and his three children are caretakers of Shearwater, a tiny island not far from Antarctica. Home to the world’s largest seed bank, Shearwater was once full of researchers, but with sea levels rising, the Salts are now its final inhabitants. Until during the worst storm the island has ever seen, a woman mysteriously washes ashore.
6. For Mavens selecting the book club pick in 2026: “Before I Forget” by Tory Henwood Hoen
“Moving, funny, and thought-provoking, ‘Before I Forget’ would be great for a book club discussion. We have selected it for our January pick!” – Tiffany, Owner of Wild Geese Bookshop
Call it inertia. Call it a quarter-life crisis. Whatever you call it, Cricket Campbell is stuck. Despite working at a zeitgeisty wellness company, the 26-year-old feels anything but well. Still adrift after a tragedy that upended her world a decade ago, she has entered early adulthood under the weight of a new burden: her father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Her father is losing his grasp of the past, but becomes increasingly able to predict the future.
Allison Barkel is a lifelong bookworm who is passionate about positively contributing to her local community, including exceeding her budget at local, independent bookstores.
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