🎁2022 HOLIDAY BOOKS & PAIRINGS🎁
The 2022 Dear Mr. Hemingway Holiday Books & Pairings is HERE, and short and sweet—perfect for everyone exhausted from endless decision-making. In this year’s minimalist guide, I chose five books & five pairings that have DELIGHTED me every which way. This year’s lineup includes a scrumptious new cookbook, a mesmerizing book of poems, a musical memoir, a thriller in a secluded cabin, and a tantalizing tale of love and lust. My pairings are equally satisfying. They can be mixed and matched and open the doors to many products from pretty spectacular businesses. I hope you enjoy my holiday roundup for shopping made easy this holiday season! Be sure to click on the book pictures below to purchase these books for the book lover in your life. Don’t forget to click on the highlighted pairings as well. If you are looking for a more extensive list of Books & Pairings, check out my past gift guides RIGHT HERE!
Crocodile Rock
Today I am wishing a VERY Happy Pub Day to The Duchess Countess by Catherine Ostler!!! To say I was a happy camper reading this book would be an understatement. Give me anything related to a scandal, royal courts, and an adventurous woman during any century prior to cell phones or electronics and I am in heaven. This magnetic biography was my first introduction to Elizabeth Chudleigh and certainly won’t be my last. Let me share with you why I am officially obsessed with this beguiling woman from the Georgian era.
Nutcrackers & Handsprings: Books About the Cutthroat World of Ballet and Gymnastics
Today I am sharing four books that capture the fierce passion and wild side of ballet and gymnastics. Scandal, abuse, injuries, eating disorders, and love fill the pages of today’s reads. The lineup is dripping in all of the blood, sweat, and tears that we love to read about. And GUESS WHAT? Legwarmers and leotards are entirely optional. You can be captivated by these stories from the comfort of your living room couch wearing sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt. How great is that!!!!
9/11 ~ 20 Years Ago
Today there will be no letter to Mr. Hemingway. I have no words. I have been moved to complete stillness.
Rural 207
I recently had the opportunity to read Gigi Georges’ book, Downeast. Georges follows the lives of five young women who attended the same high school in rural Maine. For four years, Georges interviewed, shadowed and immersed herself into these women’s past, present and future opportunities. She underlined the common hardships of living in a rural area in one of the most rural states while accentuating the hidden beauty that resides from within all through the lens of five women.
Mother of Dragons
Katherine Wintsch is here to share that you can be a thriving mom and eat your cake too. Young mothers and seasoned mothers alike will find nuggets of wisdom from Wintsch’s book, Slay Like a Mother, that will carry them through this crazy mom journey with some much needed peace and understanding.
Golden Ticket
As we all know, you can’t judge a book by its cover, which is why I absolutely love reading memoirs. Memoirs give me a sneak peek into someone else’s life. I am a fly on the wall somewhere different. Somewhere vulnerable, somewhere true. Whether I am laughing, crying, learning or relating, memoirs are personal treasures that writers share with their readers. I just finished reading Miseducated: A Memoir by Brandon P. Fleming and my eyes are wide open. I challenge any reader not to be inspired by this fantastic read.
~Moms Need Time To Read This Book~
Zibby Owens, the host of the award winning podcast, Moms Don’t Have Time To Read Books has a new book to comfort our souls. Moms Don’t Have Time To: A Quarantine Anthology is a book of essays written by dozens of best selling authors. All of the essays reflect the things they do not have time to do as moms, during these unprecedented times. This book provides laughter, a few tears and most of all… good company during a truly crappy time.
Kelly’s Top 10 Books Of 2020
Here are my Top 10 Books Of 2020 in random order! Whether I laughed out loud or was completely moved, each one of these books spoke to me in a unique way!
Guest Writer
Dear Book Worms,
Happy Wednesday! I am thrilled to share with you that Amanda Benwell is on the blog today writing to Mr. Hemingway about one of her favorite books of all time. Amanda is the creator of the wonderful Bookstagram account, @lilacsandliterature where she highlights her love of reading and all the books you can possibly imagine.
Guest Writer
Dear Lovely Readers,
I am so excited to introduce you to today’s Guest Writer…Carrie Torrisi. Carrie is the mastermind behind the ever so popular Bookstagram (fancy name for Instagram for book lovers) page, @bostonbookfanatic. If you have never visited Carrie’s Instagram page, then HOP TO IT!
How To Save A Life
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Every time I read a memoir I say to myself, “ Kelly…why don’t you do this more often?” I have always been fascinated by other people’s stories…Sometimes it’s me being nosey 🤣🤣, but mostly I enjoy reading about someone else’s journey and perspective on life. Memoirs to me ignite empathy and understanding.
Girls…Run The World
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I am coming at you today Mr. H. with a whole lot of girl power. I hope all your “masculinity” can handle it 😂. I am talking about the fabulous Glennon Doyle and Jen Hatmaker! These two motivational ladies are the “QUEENS” of self love and all things good in the world. They know how to navigate the murky waters of religion and sexual identity. With empathy, they champion those who struggle.
“Ernest”Chitter Chatter
Dear Lovely Readers,
I am excited to announce The Dear Mr. Hemingway Book Discussion Group….”Ernest” Chitter-Chatter With Kelly & Friends. My goal is to connect all of my readers (and me too) with a wide variety of fabulous books and incredible authors. Not only will you have the chance to discuss a monthly book with other book lovers from around the world, but you also will have the opportunity to connect with the author as well. All your burning questions can finally be answered by authors you know and love. Not too shabby.
July Discussion Read
Hello Lovely Readers,
I hope everyone is having a wonderful start to their summer. Over here at Dear Mr. Hemingway, I am constantly developing new bookish ways we can all connect over our love of reading. This month, I am hosting a book discussion on an extraordinary memoir by Abdi Nor Iftin…Call me American.
I Support You
Dear Readers,
It has been a horrible week in the United States. With so many people hurting, I would like to especially acknowledge all of my Black readers and followers. I will never understand the pain you are going through, but I support you. With that said, my heart is broken. This week I have been quietly reflecting and listening. I am taking time to sort through everything.
#boymom #boydad
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
As you may know, I am a mom to three boys, ages 10, 12, and 14. I grew up with all sisters, so having a group of boys living in my house is quite foreign to me. As I adapt to the newfound smells in my house, the pee on my toilet seats, and the overall surge of testosterone all around me, I am constantly trying to figure out how to raise these boys in a world much different than when I was their age.
Listen Up
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Earlier this month, I led a discussion group on Instagram with my friend Sue on Kate Murphy’s new book, You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters. As promised, I am sharing some of the conversations we had on this extremely relevant book and URGING you to read it. Our discussion covered some of the highlights in the book but certainly did not cover everything. Let’s jump right in!
Discussion Read~Instagram
Dear Book Lovers,
LISTEN UP!!!!! I want to invite you over to my Instagram page to join in on what is going to be a wonderful discussion. On February 6th, my book-loving friend from Colorado (Sue) and I are Co-Hosting a discussion read over on Instagram. The book we will be conversing about is Kate Murphy’s book, You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters.
The Best Books of 2019!!!
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Can you believe that today is the last day of 2019? The last day of this DECADE???? This year has turned out some tremendous reads. Today I am sharing my top nine reads of 2019. Whether I was excited, crying, horrified, or genuinely scared, these nine books delivered the feels!!!!
April Showers Bring More Books and Pairings! Happy May Reading!
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Spring is finally in the air. Not only do April showers bring May flowers, but they also bring shiny new books. Today I am sharing four books that will be coming your way this May. I am also including my 2019 May book pairings that will complement and embellish your lovely new reads. Enjoy this special spring post Mr. H. Happy shopping and happy reading!
Is That the Blue You’re Using?
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
Who is Eve Babitz? I can answer that it one word…Los Angeles. You know, The City of Lights, Tinseltown, La La Land. Eve Babitz was The L.A. Woman of the ’60s and ’70s. Daughter of Sol Babitz (a classical violinist) and Mae Babitz (an artist) and Goddaughter to Igor Stravinsky. She was an artist, a groupie, and a fixture on the L.A. social scene. Most of all though, Eve Babitz was a writer.
A Memoir That Makes You Go 😱
Dear Mr. Hemingway,
I just read a memoir that I most certainly could not put down. I found the pages of this book practically turning themselves. Readers will absolutely escape their own reality and be transported back to Westover’s childhood where they will be thanking their lucky stars it was not their own. I was beyond captivated by Tara Westover’s story and utterly baffled by her childhood and family dynamics.