The holidays are almost here, which means it’s time to splurge on the bookworms in your life. From what to get your film geek dad to the perfect gift for mom, here are six books local booksellers recommend for any bookshelf, including your own.
“This Will Make It Taste Good” by Vivian Howard
The pandemic probably has you cooking more at home, and in her new cookbook, Vivian Howard, star of PBS’s “A Chef’s Life,” shares her tricks for making basic food taste fantastic. So get out of your cooking rut and try some of her tips for making the most of your time in the kitchen.
“Lowcountry Boughs of Holly” by Susan Boyer
Don’t miss the latest Liz Talbot mystery by local author Susan Boyer. Liz is struggling to feel festive this holiday season. She hasn’t seen her best friend, Colleen, in weeks, hasn’t decked a single hall, and then a dead Santa appears … read away your holiday stress with this delightful cozy mystery.
-Jill Hendrix, owner of Fiction Addiction
“Anxious People” by Frederik Backman
We love all of Frederik Backman’s books because he is such a master of character development. In “Anxious People,” Backman finds kindness and compassion in a group of quirky, flawed characters thrown together as a result of an improbable (and hilarious) botched bank robbery. It’s a refreshing counterpoint to today’s stream of grim headlines. “Anxious People” is a crowd favorite, but, honestly, we don’t think you can go wrong with any of his books.
“Renaissance Man: The Life of Tommy Wyche” by Lynne Lucas
The late Tommy Wyche founded and led South Carolina’s second-oldest land trust, championing the 40-year initiative that resulted in the protection of over 100,000 acres of the South Carolina mountains, which today include Caesars Head State Park, Jones Gap State Park and Jocassee Gorges. In addition, he was one of the key leaders in the revitalization of downtown Greenville. The book explores his contributions to conservation, the city of Greenville’s amazing transformation, the Wyche law firm and advocacy for the arts. It also includes a foreword by former Gov. Dick Riley, many family stories, insights into his one-of-a-kind personality and dozens of color photographs. This book makes a charming gift for all who love the beautiful Upstate area we call home.
-June Wilcox, owner of M. Judson Booksellers
Related: A year for the books: The Greenville Journal staff shares their favorite reads of 2020
“The Cold Millions” by Jess Walter
Walter’s late-year release is historical fiction at its finest! This impeccably written novel is the story of two orphaned hobo brothers, Gig and Rye, who land in Spokane, Washington, as the labor movement erupts and free speech riots seize the city. Walter deftly drops us into a complex world of tramps, tycoons, crooked cops, union organizers, vaudeville stars and more. This exquisite novel is unpredictable, playful, filled with characters worthy of Steinbeck and remarkably speaks to the inequities of the present day.
“Accidentally Wes Anderson” by Wally Koval
Fans of Wes Anderson know there is an instantly recognizable but not easily definable aesthetic to his films that includes a lot of pink and symmetry and blue skies — and although he intentionally creates that look, it does often occur organically, as demonstrated by the Instagram account that inspired this gorgeous book.
– Sharon Purvis, Hub City Bookshop manager
