Here are eight fantastic books and two outstanding games I highly recommend just in time for holiday shopping. Enjoy!
Three Children’s Picture Books
The Cow Buzzed by Andrea Zimmerman and Paul Meisel – a bee visits a farm and sneezes, spreading his cold and his buzz to a cow. The cow spreads the cold and her moo to the pig; the pig passes the cold and his oink to the duck, and so on. This hilarious book with whimsical illustrations has been my grandson Alexander’s favorite book almost since the day he was born. Now that he’s two, he sneezes on cue (achoo!) and, when the animals recover from their colds, moos happily with the cow.
The Noisy Books – I discovered this informative and interactive book series after Alexander was born. Besides the sounds, the pages have wonderful textures. Alex has these two (though Santa will bring him more):
Noisy Dinosaurs by Jonathan Litten includes T. Rex, triceratops, diplodocus, my favorite pterodactyls, and more.
Noisy Construction by Lauren Crisp gives a brief description of each vehicle (excavators, cranes, bulldozers, dump trucks, etc.).
Three Middle Grade Books (for children ages 8-12)
Mail-Order Monsters: Crash Course by Silvia Acevedo – easily my favorite children’s book in years. The book takes readers on a whimsical ride with Marco Torres and his three delightful creatures. Acevedo’s Marco is a realistically flawed character who’s just trying to navigate school, friendship, and his first crush without getting into too much trouble. But his monsters have other ideas. Readers will enjoy discovering the creatures’ capabilities, laughing at their school pranks, and cheering them on during the thrilling road race challenge.
Two more exceptional middle-grade books:
Izzy Strikes Gold! by Larry F. Sommers – Twelve-year-old Izzy Mahler navigates a rocky home life, the illness of a beloved grandfather, the threats of a school bully, and the challenges of a first crush in 1957. There are no computers, cell phones, or television, but there are exciting baseball games, fun science experiments, a dangerous trip out west, and a Christmas pageant. Young readers will enjoy the thrilling adventures, and grandparents reading this book to their grandchildren will reminisce about their childhoods.
Haven by Valerie Biel – Eleven-year-old Mardella and her mother move into an assisted living facility when her mother becomes the director and they feel threatened by Mardella’s abusive father. Mardella blames herself for the move and despairs at having to live with old people until she gets to know them. When her father comes looking, will Mardella lose everything? With beautiful illustrations and chapter titles like “Angry Red” and “Pastel Pink,” young readers will love the colorful characters. Adults will appreciate the delicate but honest handling of domestic violence.
Two Adult Books
The Waiting: A Ballard and Bosch Novel – (A Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch Novel, 6) by Michael Connelly – LAPD Detective Renée Ballard enlists Patrol Officer Maddie Bosch, Harry’s daughter, to investigate a serial rapist cold case, while tracking the thieves who stole her gun and badge. An excellent look into the latest technology used to crack cold cases that is full of twists, it’s hard to put down. I just finished listening to the audiobook version, and it reminded me of how much I enjoy Connelly’s books. The audio version is narrated by Christine Lakin, Madison Lintz, and Titus Welliver who stars in the Bosh TV series.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt – The creatures include seventy-year-old Tova who cleans the Sowell Bay Aquarium, thirty-year-old Cameron who can’t get anything right, sixty-plus-year-old Ethan—a gossiping Scottish shopkeeper with a tender heart—and Marcellus, an incredibly intelligent Pacific octopus who understands the humans better than they do. In my Writer’s Book Club post, I gave it four thumbs for well-developed characters and wonderful descriptions. The Netflix series based upon this book and starring Sally Field will be released next year.
Two Outstanding Games
Coyote by Tim Ferriss and the Exploding Kittens folks – as the description says, “Coyote is a hilarious card game that’s hot potato + charades + a test of wits. Just keep the beat and sabotage your friends to win!” Every single time we play this game, we break into raucous laughter. We even took it with us on our trip to Norway. It comes with blank cards to add your own spin to it. The description says for ages 10 and up, but I think even 6-year-olds could play. Two-year-old Alexander likes to sit with us when we play and boop his nose on cue.
Qwirkle by Mindware – has 108 colorful tiles with six shapes that you match to score points. Another great portable game we took with us to Norway, it’s a terrific combination of strategy and luck. Yep, even young Alex enjoyed helping Grandma pick the right colors and shapes.
Bookish Advent Calendar – Free Books and Literary Gifts Starting Tomorrow !
Check out Author Meadoe Hora’s 2025 Bookish Advent Calendar featuring free books, book excerpts, and more! You can get my book The Devil Particle for free on December 12th!
See Me This Friday – Studio Moonfall, Kenosha
I’ll be the guest author for Studio Moonfall’s Meet the Author on Friday, December 12, 2025, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. This Kenosha, Wisconsin bookstore at 5031 7th Avenue features work by local and indie authors, artists, and crafters. If you’re in the area, be sure to stop by and see me at this amazing shop.
Novel-in-Progress Bookcamp
I’m thrilled to announce that I will be one of the All Genre Workshop Instructors during the wonderful Novel-in-Progress Bookcamp and Retreat at the Siena Retreat Center in Racine, Wisconsin, June 21-27, 2026. There are three programs to select from, and all prices include your private room with a private bathroom and all the meals for the week. Reserve your spot before December 31st to get a $90 discount.
