Hunkering Down - Preparing for 2026 with Book Recommendations

This is today's morning scene.  The dry powdery snow was much easier to snowblow today compared to yesterday.  Yesterday, after walking Ella and then shoveling the first round of wet, messy snow, I sat down to read as is my habit on Sunday afternoons.  And then I started to think about what I could possibly write about for today's post.  Although I briefly toyed with the idea of writing about the social media phenomena this weekend of people posting photos of themselves with the statement, proud member of Radical Left Scum, it just didn't seem to be the right tone for ending 2025 and I don't think anyone should be "proud" to be called "scum."  So with three days left before the New Year begins, I thought about all the books I have read in the past year. I started to peruse my book journal, where I keep a list of books that I have finished.  In looking at the books I read, I realized I have a very eclectic reading pattern as I read self-help books,  romance novels,  mystery fiction,  and frivolous books I don't even remember reading (which is why I keep a book journal.)  I also  participated in two book groups plus there were a few recommended readings for other book discussions.  I have a friend who also provides book recommendations and almost always her recommendations provide valuable insights.  I also thought about the books I have given as gifts this year.  One of my favorite books to give as a gift was a recommendation that came during one of the lunches I hosted this past year for a group of women warriors who came together to share lunch, stories, and laughter.  Laughter is the best medicine for helping us get through this year.  But at one of the lunches, a participant recommended, The Serviceberry; Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This gem of a book is worth picking up and reading as one of the messages is a reflection on living not in a world of scarcity, but abundance.  The book is also about community and how to practice gratitude.  It is a short read, but it is one that stays with you.

Another book that I read as a result of a book group recommendation was Active Hope; How to Face the Mess We're in with Unexpected Resilience & Creative Power by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone.  Since hope is something we are all clinging to right now, the authors provide guidance on how to develop an active practice to build a coping mechanism.  This was one of my book discussion groups and the group still meets regularly once a month to discuss one topic to focus on and use the practices recommended by the authors to  work through that one particular issue.

Those were just two of the books this year,  I have a lot more I could share.  Right now I am reading Jane Goodall's book, Hope, but I'm not done with it, so too soon to comment.  However,  I decided this would be a good question to ask those of you who visit this blog and a way to prepare for January 2026 blog posts.  

What book did you read in 2025 that you would recommend for others?  

Either because it inspired you, or entertained you or provided hope or somehow made an impact on your life.  Even if it was just a good escape read, let me know.  I have created a form and if you want to submit a title and a few words about why you are recommending it, I promise to share in future posts in January, but I won't share any individual names.  So please give it some thought.  I haven't limited the form to just one response, so you can enter as many times as you like.  Starting in January, I'll share responses and I am fairly certain that you will not disappoint me!  Thanks for sharing your thoughts.