A dystopian take on King Lear, a dating-app mystery and a lyrical look at relationships — plus new celebrity books — here are PEOPLE’s picks for the best books of December, so far.
‘Inheriting Magic: My Journey Through Grief, Joy, Celebration, and Making Every Day Magical’ by Jennifer Love Hewitt
Jennifer Love Hewitt reflects on love, life and grief, including the death of her mother from cancer, in this new book, centered on the joy of celebrating life’s small occasions. A warm, much-needed read for this time of year.
‘Private Rites’ by Julia Armfield
After their father dies, estranged sisters Agnes, Isla and Irene reunite at the grand glass house where they grew up to sort through his belongings — and discover a secret that drives them farther apart than ever. As each of their lives begins to spiral out of control, it becomes clear that something sinister has been set in motion. This queer, dystopian take on Shakespeare’s King Lear set in a city drowned by endless rain is atmospheric, gripping and gorgeous.
‘What It’s Like in Words’ by Eliza Moss
Anyone who’s been involved with someone who wasn’t very nice to them will get chills of recognition from this stylish debut. Fortunately, Moss gives protagonist Enola not just a bad boyfriend but also a best friend, Ruth, who won’t give up on her. We all need one of those in our lives. — Marion Winik
‘The Rivals’ by Jane Pek
“I find it easier to come up with theories of murder than to sort out my own crap,” admits Manhattan detective Claudia Lin. She makes headway in both arenas — while also investigating a dating app’s deceptive practices — in this smart, wry and rollicking follow-up to 2022’s The Verifiers. — Kim Hubbard
‘Trial by Ambush: Murder, Injustice, and the Truth About the Case of Barbara Graham’ by Marcia Clark
When a petty robbery escalated into a brutal murder in 1953, the beautiful but troubled Barbara Graham found herself at the center of a media circus. She was painted as a villainous femme fatale, despite plenty of evidence to the contrary. In this gripping account, author and lawyer Marcia Clark — who also prosecuted O.J. Simpson — lays out her own investigation of the case.
‘Havoc’ by Christopher Bollen
The spectacular sunsets at the Royal Karnak Palace hotel in Luxor, Egypt, are one of many things Maggie Burkhardt, 81, loves about her late-pandemic hideout. But her sweet-old-lady act doesn’t fool mischievous Otto, 8. This destination thriller is perfect for White Lotus fans. — Marion Winik
‘Untethered’ by Angela Jackson-Brown
In a 1967 Alabama town at the tail-end of the civil rights movement, Katia Daniels runs a boys’ home. Her twin brother’s disappearance in Vietnam and a crisis with one of her wards force her to accept assistance from an old friend. A story of loss, community and hope. — Wadzanai Mhute
‘Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet’ by Samantha Allen
Adam’s ghostwriting job gets a little too literal when he has to write the late Roland’s story with the help of his ghost. When sparks fly, things get messy. Delightfully original.
‘The Shutouts’ by Gabrielle Korn
This propulsive novel spans 40 post-apocalyptic years as it explores the power of a mother’s love, humanity’s drive toward survival and whether we’re really stronger together.
‘Rental House’ by Weike Wang
When a couple weds, they also marry their in-laws. On vacations with their very different parents, Keru, a Chinese American consultant, and her White professor spouse, Nate, find they can’t escape their polar-opposite upbringings. Her frugal immigrant parents bring their own food, and Nate’s meddlesome mom harangues her son about his career and her desperation for a grandchild. A humorous, insightful take on marriage, ambition, race and class. — Andy Abrahams
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