CANBERRA WEEKLY: Books For Christmas

This week in the Canberra Weekly I recommended five books that would make great Christmas presents.

First up was Michael Connelly’s The Dark Hours (Allen & Unwin), which is one of my favourite crime novels of 2021. A compulsive, exciting tale, it set a good crime story about the hunt for a killer and a pair of violent rapists against a searing portrait of Los Angeles during the COVID pandemic.

In the Canberra Weekly I said:

“Michael Connelly has been one of the world’s leading crime fiction writers for several years now and his novels always make for an ideal Christmas present. His latest, The Dark Hours, is an enjoyable read, set against a searing portrait of Los Angeles in 2021. It features his always popular character, retired policeman Harry Bosch, who teams up with LAPD Detective Renèe Ballard to solve a New Year’s Eve murder, which has links back to an old case that he worked on. Exciting, topical, full of social commentary and highly entertaining, it will be greatly appreciated by the crime reader in your family.”

I also did a longer review a few weeks ago: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/the-dark-hours-by-michael-connelly-allen-unwin/

Next up was a beautiful children’s picture book, which also contains some lovely, easy to follow recipes. A Year In Fleurville by Felicita Sala (Scribble) is a delightful book, which mixes lovely illustrations and an entertaining text with a clear message about healthy living and a strong sense of community and family.

In the Canberra Weekly I said:

“This exquisite book is a terrific present for children and families. Lovingly illustrated, it follows the people of Fleurville as they work in their gardens, harvest vegetables, cook meals and find comfort in the cycle of life. A fun and environmentally minded picture book, it also serves as a mini guide to gardening and vegetables, and is a good introduction to cooking. Filled with tasty recipes from all over the world, it has simple instructions perfect for young chefs. It also promotes a nice sense of community and family, and provides some good recycling tips. A practical and fun book for kids.”

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a new seasonal romance from Karen Swan and her latest, Midnight In The Snow (Macmillan), is sure to appeal to her many fans.

In the Canberra Weekly I said:

“The annual seasonal romance by Karen Swan is always a welcomed present and her latest, Midnight In The Snow, offers some amusing moments and plenty of romance. Film maker Clover Phillips finds herself in the Austrian Alps pursuing reluctant snowboarder Kit Foley, who wants nothing to do with her documentary. Determined to find out the secrets in Foley’s past, Clover pushes on regardless of the consequences and her growing feelings for the athlete. Well-crafted and glamorous, with some vivid descriptions of the Alps, this is an enchanting read. A nice gift for romantics and those after a pleasant, engaging novel.”

Dog lovers will greatly enjoy Laura Greaves’ A Dog’s Best Friend (Penguin), which combines feel stories with some terrific photos.

In the Canberra Weekly I said:

“Journalist and self-proclaimed ‘crazy dog lady’ Laura Greaves, is back with another uplifting book that explores the relationships that dogs create with unlikely companions. Dogs are known as ‘man’s best friend’, but in this uplifting book Laura shows that they can also be good friends to other species. A Dog’s Best Friend contains several unlikely relationships, from the German shepherd and the fox who play together in the Norwegian snow, to another German Shepherd who has befriended a wallaroo, to a tiny chihuahua who is best friends with a llama. Accompanied with great photos this is a must for all dog lovers.”

The annual Jack Reacher blockbuster by Lee Child has become an integral part of the Christmas book scene. Better Off Dead (Penguin), co-written with Lee’s brother Andrew, is a typical Reacher tale set in a small dusty Arizona town and is sure to be keenly wanted by fans of the series.

In the Canberra Weekly I said:

“Jack Reacher is the classic action figure. A former military policeman who roams America like a modern-day Western hero, Reacher appeals to a wide range of readers and the novels by Lee Child are regularly found on the top of bestseller lists. Better Off Dead is the second co-written effort by Child and his brother, Andrew, who is gradually taking over responsibility for the series.  The book finds Reacher in a small Arizonan town helping an army veteran turned FBI agent find her missing twin brother, who has gotten himself in trouble. A good, light holiday read for your Reacher aficionado.”

I also did a longer review a few weeks ago: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/tough-guys-and-crooked-cops-my-november-crime-reading/

So a mix of book ideas for Christmas! In the next week , or so, I will be doing a list of my favourite crime and thriller titles of 2021, which will also offer some ideas for Christmas presents for those who enjoy criminally good reading.

The original version of this article can be found on the excellent Canberra Weekly site, along with other book news: https://canberraweekly.com.au/book-talk-books-for-christmas-2/