Jólabókaflóð is an Icelandic word that translates as “Christmas Book Flood.” Icelanders typically give and receive books as holiday presents, leading to a large stack of books to enjoy at the end of the year. Whether you’re hoping to be gifted a book flood, or treating yourself, we have some wonderful new releases to read as 2024 draws to a close. The following information is provided courtesy of the Arlington Public Library.
Nonfiction
Apartment Women
By Gu Byeong-Mo, translated by Chi-Young Kim
The Dream Future Pilot Communal Apartments are a government experiment aimed at boosting South Korea’s birth rate. In exchange for rent subsidies, residents commit to having at least three children within ten years of residency. Four families in the apartment navigate the requirement with the pressures of parenting and societal expectations. As the women grapple with balancing work and motherhood in this claustrophobic community, tensions rise, revealing the emotional toll of gendered expectations. A preceptive and provocative exploration of the double binds that women face. // Available December 3. Library catalog link here.
Sister Snake
By Amanda Lee Koe
Su and Emerald were once snakes in 9th-century China and now live as human women in modern Singapore and New York City. Su, the poised wife of a conservative politician, clings to safety and societal expectations, while Emerald, a chaotic sugar baby, embraces individuality and rebellion. Their reunion is set in motion by a violent incident in Central Park, forcing them to confront their shared past and diverging values. This reimaging of the Chinese folktale, “The Legend of the White Snake” is a dazzling and darkly funny look at gender, identity, class, and conformity. // Available December 3. Library catalog link here.
I Made it Out of Clay
By Beth Kander
Facing personal and professional turmoil, and rapidly approaching her 40th birthday, Eve Goodman builds a golem, Paul Mudd, as a date for her younger sister’s Hanukkah-themed wedding. Mudd initially offers companionship, but his protective nature soon brings chaos. This darkly funny, yet heartfelt, romcom alternates humorous mishaps and misunderstandings with profound reflections on loss, self-worth, and resilience. // Available December 10. Library catalog link here.
Knife Skills for Beginners
By Orlando Murrin
Chef Paul Delamere takes a temporary teaching role at a prestigious London cooking school after his friend, celebrity chef Christian Wagner, suffers an injury. The weeklong course features a mix of eccentric students, from aristocrats to a mysterious last-minute addition. But when a grisly murder occurs using Paul’s own knife, he becomes the prime suspect. Murrin, a semifinalist on MasterChef, shines in his vivid descriptions of kitchen life and food. With humor and brisk pacing, this locked-room mystery will delight both mystery fans and foodies. // Available December 24. Library catalog link here.
Fiction
Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman
By Patrick Hutchison
Feeling aimless in his mid-20s, Hutchison bought a decrepit 120-square-foot cabin in the Cascade Mountains. Despite having no carpentry experience, he embarked on a six-year renovation project that transformed the run-down property into a charming retreat. With the help of friends, countless YouTube tutorials, and an adventurous spirit, Hutchison overcame mudslides, rodent infestations, and countless DIY mishaps. His account blends laugh-out-loud anecdotes with heartfelt reflections on purpose and self-discovery. The result is an inspiring memoir about turning an impulsive purchase into a life-altering journey. // Available December 3. Library catalog link here.
The Cure for Women: Dr. Mary Putnam Jacobi and the Challenge to Victorian Medicine That Changed Women’s Lives Forever
By Lydia Reeder
Mary Putnam Jacobi was a pioneering 19th-century physician who challenged sexist Victorian medical practices. Facing pseudoscientific claims that women were biologically unfit for professional roles, Jacobi revolutionized women’s healthcare through rigorous, data-driven research including a landmark study debunking myths about menstruation’s impact on women’s physical and mental abilities. This new biography chronicles Jacobi’s many achievements and her activism, highlighting her enduring influence on science and feminism. Both inspiring and timely, it also illuminates parallels with current debates in women’s health care. // Available December 3. Library catalog link here.
Oathbreakers: The War of Brothers That Shattered an Empire and Made Medieval Europe
By Matthew Gabriele and David M Perry
Starting with Pepin the Short’s violent rise to power and culminating in the empire’s fragmentation, this work explores the Carolingian Civil War struggles between Charlemagne’s descendants, particularly Louis the Pious and his feuding sons. Full of twists and turns, family feuds, and destabilizing coups, the authors make the ninth century come alive with an engaging read that doesn’t skimp on academic rigor. // Available December 10. Library catalog link here.
Custodians of Wonder: Ancient Customs, Profound Traditions, and the Last People Keeping Them Alive
By Eliot Stein
Weaving personal narratives with historical and cultural context, Stein travels the world to explore endangered cultural traditions, and the individuals dedicated to preserving them. From a Sardinian woman who makes the rarest pasta in the world from a 300-year-old family recipe, to a Malian bard who uses a balafon to perform national epics, to someone maintaining a woven suspension bridge dating from the Incan empire. While some customs are vanishing, others find new life in this fascinating blend of travel, history, and anthropology. // Available December 10. Library catalog link here.
Middle Grade
Work: Interviews with People Doing Jobs They Love
By Shaina Feinberg, illustrated by Julia Rothman
This inspiring collection of 28 profiles introduces people from around the world who have found joy in their unique professions. Drawing on interviews and real-life experiences, it features jobs from a vegan butcher in Minneapolis to a prosthetics maker in London and a wildlife expert in Uganda. Each two-page spread combines vibrant illustrations, quotes, and reflective prompts. Feinberg and Rothman also include entries about their own careers and provide guidance for budding interviewers. A great look at a wide range of jobs and possibilities. // Available December 3. Library catalog link here.
Teen
The Rules of Royalty
By Cale Dietrich
When 17-year-old Jamie Johnson learns he’s the heir to the throne of Mitanor, his ordinary American life is upended. Thrust into a world of opulent palaces and media scrutiny, Jamie is mentored by Erik, a fellow prince from Sunstad. What begins as a tutoring relationship quickly blossoms into a tender romance. Erik, sidelined by his own royal family, finds a kindred spirit in Jamie, whose adoptive and biological families offer unconditional support. This slow-burn romance doesn’t shy away from the challenges of royal life. A delightful read. // Available December 10. Library catalog link here.
Jennie Rothschild is a collection engagement librarian for Arlington Public Library.