With the 2025 holiday season fully upon us, now is the ideal time for Westchester’s colleagues to share the books we are gifting or hope to receive in the closing weeks of the year. Some of the book selections also include interesting tidbits of literary lore or a favorite independent bookstore that you can purchase these and many other titles from to round out your shopping list.
To learn more about any of the titles below, clicking on the cover images will bring you to the IndieBound powered by Bookshop.org site. Happy holidays and happy reading!
Bog Queen
Author: Anna North
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Why I want to gift this book:
I have found the book I will be buying in bulk and sharing this holiday season. On a recent trip to New Paltz, NY to shop in the amazing book shops there, I came across this title at Literally Books (New Paltz’s newest book shop, located in the historic Water Street Market). The Bog Queen is evocative of what makes New Paltz such a wonderful town to explore – it’s a blend of history, mystery, the rational, and the mystical. Two stories play side by side with one another throughout the book – the tragic death of a female druid in Roman-era England and the forensic research by a modern-day woman who is tasked with evaluating the archaeological discovery of the 2,000-year-old victim. For lovers of The Detectorists, Midsomer Murders, or The Wicker Man, this book will resonate.
Shared by: Tyler M. Carey, Chief Revenue Officer
Favorite Independent Bookstore: Literally Books, New Paltz, NY
Best Offer Wins
Author: Marissa Kashino
Publisher: Celadon Books (Imprint of Macmillan, a Westchester client)
Why I want to receive this book:
I would love to receive this book because it was highly discussed during my time at the NYU Publishing program during its pre-release. I had the privilege of attending two dedicated marketing sessions, led by Jennifer Jackson, Executive Director of Marketing at Celadon/Macmillan, which used this book as a central example. Her enthusiasm—combined with the book’s thrilling premise—makes me very excited for it. As a non-fiction reader, I would be eager to use this opportunity to dive into the thriller genre. I’m also very interested in how Kashino is going to make me root for her main character, who seemingly becomes more of an antagonist throughout the novel’s duration.
Shared by: Alli DeMan, Account Manager
Favorite Independent Bookstore: Pickwick Book Shop, Nyack, NY
Yellowface
Author: Rebecca F. Kuang
Publisher: The Borough Press
Why I want to gift this book:
I read this book recently and it’s the first book I’ve read in a long time that I’ve found utterly compelling and absorbing, so I would love to gift this experience to another bookworm! The writing is so sharp, precise, and economical; it feels like nothing is wasted. The story is well paced and keeps twisting and turning. The fact that it’s about the publishing world is fascinating too. I found myself wondering how many of the details in the story would be reflected in the publication of this very book!
Shared by: Estelle Lloyd, Senior Project Manager, Westchester Publishing Services UK
1776
Author: David McCullough
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Why I want to gift this book:
My daughters have become huge fans of the Broadway show Hamilton. After endless hours of listening to them sing along to the soundtrack, I mentioned to my oldest daughter that she should read 1776. She decided to borrow the book from her school library, and I would like to get a copy to add to my personal library so she and I can discuss it.
Shared by: Melody Negron, Production Supervisor
Matching Minds with Sondheim: The Puzzles and Games of the Broadway Legend
Author: Barry Joseph
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Why I want to gift this book:
I’m giving this book to my wife who is a passionate fan of Sondheim, and also loves games and puzzles. This book looks like the perfect intersection of her interests. Bonus, the author is also speaking at our local library next month!
Shared by: JodieAnne Sclafani, Director, Central Services
Favorite independent bookstore: Binnacle Books, Beacon, NY
While none of my family is from Iceland, we’ve embraced their Christmas tradition called Jólabókaflóð (Jolabokaflod, or the “Christmas Book Flood”)—honestly, I think it’s the best part of the holiday season!
A Flower Traveled in My Blood
Author: Haley Cohen Gilliland
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
On the gifting side, I’m looking forward to giving A Flower Traveled in My Blood. It’s a heartbreaking account of stolen children in Argentina during the late 1970s, but also a powerful testament to the strength and determination of the grandmothers (abuelas) who fought for justice. I know some members of my family will appreciate this true story—tragic yet deeply inspiring.
The Peepshow: The Murders at Rillington Place
Author: Kate Summerscale
Publisher: Penguin Random House
I have several titles on my wish list, but the one I’m really hoping to unwrap is The Peepshow: The Murders at Rillington Place by Kate Summerscale (Penguin Random House). I love a good true crime story, and this one is set in London in 1953, exploring whether the authorities convicted the wrong 
person. Summerscale dives into the archives to shed new light on this chilling case, and I can’t wait to read her perspective and discoveries.
Shared by: Deb Taylor, President
The American Revolution, An Intimate History
Author: Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns
Publisher: Knopf
Why I want to gift this book: I’ve been watching the documentary film series this book is the companion for, and it provides a deeper context to historical events that shaped the foundational years of the United States’ existence through the inclusion of first-hand recollections from individuals whose names haven’t been part of the narrative before now. This gorgeous, coffee-table sized book (all five pounds of it!) is thoroughly researched by historian Geoffrey C. Ward, and is filled with full-color images that beautifully supplement the writing. The person I purchased this for is a history buff, so I’m looking forward to seeing their delighted expression when they unwrap this.
Shared by: Nicole Tomassi, Marketing & Conference Manager
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China
Author: Jung Chang
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Why I want to gift this book: I am reading the sequel right now (Fly, Wild Swans) and realised that my daughter has not read the original book. I think it is a seminal piece that brings China’s twentieth-century history alive through the story of 3 generations of women, including the author’s own experience. Poignant to give this as a gift to my daughter.
Shared by: Julie Willis, Director, Editorial and Production, Westchester Publishing Services UK
Additional links:
New York Public Library Top 2025 checkouts: https://www.nypl.org/blog/2025/12/16/top-checkouts-nyc-boroughs
Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2025
Literary Hub Ultimate Best Books of 2025 List – A compilation of 58 best-of lists from 49 outlets, including Kirkus, Powells, The New York Times, Shelf Awareness, and many more
