Stocking stuffers

Who said gift giving was inefficient?

This book appeared in my stocking yesterday, and after rounding the halfway mark on the page number count, I appreciate the offering.

Introducing the gift receiver to an author they’ve never read opens the door to a world they might not have entered otherwise. My preferred mystery novel is the perfect mix: a bit scientific, a little unpredictable, and off-beat enough to be intriguing without overdoing the gore. Charles Donlea pens just such a combination.

A book is the kind of gift that adapts to its surroundings—it can be enjoyed in the quiet solitude of an armchair, glowing under a reading lamp, or in brief pockets of calm amid the holiday bustle. The dishes can sit. The requests quipped out from the kids can be left unheard. For a handful of pages, the story surrounds your thoughts.

Such a gift is light in its demands but rich in its rewards. It requires little investment but shows a wealth of thoughtfulness by the giver. A novel has the unique power to distract and delight, allowing the recipient to step away from the chatter and clatter of festive gatherings and into a story that captivates their imagination. It also has the lasting joy of discovering a new favorite author or style. In this way, a novel becomes more than a gift—it’s a gateway to connection, inspiration, and the timeless magic of storytelling.

Stocking stuffers are highly leverable. Don’t miss the opportunity to bring someone at your holiday festivities a little jubilation at this merry time of year.