Photos by L.G. Patterson
The season of giving is upon us, which also brings cooler temperatures and time off work. And what will you do with that extra time spent indoors? We suggest grabbing a cup of coffee and settling into your favorite comfy chair with a good book.
In the interest of kicking off the giving season, we’re partnering with a local bookseller to give you a thoughtfully curated list of books to help you get ready for the holidays.
Matthew May has been in the bookselling industry for almost five years at Skylark Bookshop. With a degree in English and early aspirations of being a librarian, literature has always been a passion for May.
“Anyone who loves books has probably said they want to work in a bookshop at one point,” he says. “When the opportunity opened up at Skylark, I knew this is what I wanted to do. It’s a wonderful way to make a living.”
With this, May credits book- and literature-related jobs as some of the most important things that can be done as a society.
“Creating and consuming literature are some of the most important parts of being human,” he says. “It’s all about the ability to tell stories, have new ideas, encounter them in ways we normally wouldn’t, and just have a lot of fun while doing it.”
As an independent bookstore, Skylark is able to brand itself as a community of booksellers and book lovers, rather than just a building that sells books.
“The owner, Alex George, knows literature in a way that blows my mind, so we have this very curated selection that is one of the best book selections that I’ve ever encountered,” May says. “We hear that a lot from our customers. People come in and are blown away by what we do with a limited space.”
While the final months of the year are typically seen as an ending, May believes it is the best time to reflect and dive into something new.
“We think of spring as a time of rebirth, and it is, but flowers don’t bloom unless you plant that seed,” he says. “I think winter is the best time to be planting those seeds so you’re actually entering into something new.”
May describes his book niches as “horror and cozy fantasy;” in other words, books that make you feel a range of emotions from comfort to despair. With this in mind, his book recommendations take a slight turn from what might traditionally be considered fitting for the holiday season.
First up is “Practical Magic” by Alice Hoffman, a bewitching tale of two sisters who come from a long line of witches cursed with tragic love. As they navigate the challenges of their magical heritage and the complexities of their own lives, they find strength in family and self-acceptance. “It’s just cozy, and the themes of generational family bonds and enchantment complement the warm qualities of the end-of-year months,” May says.
A classic, “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë is a dark and passionate tale of intense love and revenge set on the bleak, windswept Yorkshire moors. The story revolves around the turbulent relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, exploring themes of obsession and the destructive power of unbridled emotions. The brooding atmosphere makes it a perfect read for the winter season as the cold, dark days mirror the novel’s intense, haunting tone.
In “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune, we meet Linus Baker, a social worker who is assigned to oversee an orphanage for magical children on a mysterious island. As Linus uncovers the unique talents of the children and the warmth of their unconventional guardian, he experiences a profound transformation in his understanding of family and acceptance. This heartwarming novel provides a comforting escape with its themes of found family and magic.
Dan Simmons’ “The Terror” is a chilling historical horror novel based on a true story that details the ill-fated 19th-century Arctic expedition led by Captain Sir John Franklin, which becomes trapped in the ice while being stalked by a mysterious and malevolent creature. As the crew members face the brutal conditions of the frozen wasteland and the growing threat of the monstrous entity, their struggle for survival becomes a harrowing test of endurance and sanity. “It’s historical horror and it’s very bleak, but just as winter is a good time for family, it’s pretty bleak as well,” May says.
Finally, “Sea of Tranquility” by Emily St. John Mandel intertwines multiple timelines and characters, from a time-traveling detective in a dystopian future to an author grappling with the echoes of a mysterious pandemic. The novel explores themes of time, memory, and the interconnectedness of human lives through a near-poetic narrative. Its reflective nature offers an escape that complements the introspective and quiet moments of the colder months. May describes the author’s writing as “incredibly intricate” and “absolutely phenomenal,” and would recommend any of her books.
These books can be purchased at Skylark Bookshop in downtown Columbia, where shoppers will also find a staff dedicated to finding the perfect book for everyone who walks through the door.
