There are books that stay with me long after I have finished them. I am sure that many of you know what I am talking about when I say this. This month we are featuring two books that did this for me. The first is The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion. The intensity and depth of Didion's writing of the year after the death of her husband, John Dunne, is inspiring. I have shared this book with so many people for its stark look at grief. It would lend itself to a fabulous discussion. If you would like to read more about my personal thoughts on this book, read the blog that I wrote after seeing Didion last November.

I love this month's lineup of guides and features. So many of our featured titles are books that I have read --- and thoroughly enjoyed. I like when that happens as I feel like I am plucking books from my personal shelves to hand to you.

Happy New Year! I hope you had a terrific holiday. I spent a chunk of Christmas week on the Outer Banks knitting and reading --- often simultaneously. I like this way to multi-task! One quick note: I noticed that when I am reading "the exciting parts" I pick up stitches. I have learned to put down the knitting when I am at those points. At one point I had added TEN extra stitches to a twenty stitch wide scarf!

If you are like me, you are caught up in the holidaze. My lists have lists, but somehow this year is calmer than others. I don't think I am more prepared. I do think I have made a pact with myself to just enjoy the season and not get myself frenzied. So far, with two weeks to go, it's working. Each night I am making time for personal reading, which is something I usually forego as the pace ramps up going into the holiday. It really makes a difference to just give myself those few minutes of escape!

You would think after recommending books to the 1.1 million readers in our Network each month I would find suggesting books to friends to be a snap. But, oh no, this is pressure. In the past months I have found myself sweating my role of what I call, "Book Concierge." I wrote a blog about it last month that has been getting some great reader mail. I thought you would enjoy reading it here. Our poll question asks if you find yourself in a role of recommending books to friends since you are in a book club --- and well-read.