Wrapping Stacks for ’24
Dec. 8 — Welcome to the December issue of Stacks, the monthly newsletter about Atlanta’s literary scene. We publish on the second Sunday of every month.
? ‘Tis the season for amazing reads, and to look back on all the great books this year brought to us! As 2025 draws near, we hope you savor the last bits of 2024 with family and friends. Listen to Christmas tunes, drink hot chocolate by the fire, read a favorite winter tale, and enjoy the highly-anticipated 2024 Stacks Wrapped!
For this month’s edition of Stacks, we covered our gift guide for book lovers, local Atlanta literary events, and look back on 2024’s literary world.
? Thanks for reading, and please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or feedback! Also, if you enjoy Stacks, please forward it to a friend and encourage them to subscribe using this link.
See you in 2025!
-Eloisa, Caroline, and Sarah
? Celebrate the season with the ASO & Chorus as they perform timeless carols, Thurs., Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. Then start the new year with Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Fri., Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. & Sun., Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. Get tickets here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
2024 Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers
? Although Cyber Monday has passed, it isn’t too late to grab a quick gift for your book-loving family and friends! Here is a list of our top nine gifts to get the bibliophile in your life this holiday season.
1. Customized Ideal Bookshelf
Our top gift for bibliophiles is a custom Ideal Bookshelf by Jane Mount. Choose the books that changed your life, that define who you are, that you read again and again into a painted customized print, mug, tote, or iPhone case. But make sure to order soon– all orders are 20% off through December 8th!
Check out Ideal Bookshelf here.
2. Tiffany Heart Bookmark
For your book-loving friend with designer taste, this Elsa Peretti sterling silver bookmark is a stylish way to keep your place.
$65 at Tiffany & CO.
3. Lazy Glasses
Your friend who likes reading before bed will love these 90-degree glasses. This funky contraption is built so you can read while lying down and is perfect not only for your lazy friends but also can help alleviate neck and back pain!
4. Italian Summer Reading Journal
Complete with a book wish list, a borrowing and lending tracker, book reviews, and an address book, this reading journal is great for your friends who love journaling almost as much as they love reading. Coming in four different colors, we love the “Italian Summer Pattern” and can see it fitting perfectly in our bookshelves.
5. Iced Coffee Cups
Who doesn’t know a book lover who doesn’t love an iced drink with their novel? This glass cup set comes with a bamboo top and a fashionable glass straw, making your home like a coffee shop (or another drink… whatever floats your boat)!
6. Subscription to The Bitter Southerner
We at Stacks are big readers of The Bitter Southerner, an Athens, Ga.-based independent publisher, founded in 2013 that is working to make the South, and America, a better place. It aims to present a more diverse and authentic picture of the South, including stories about social justice, art, music, and progressive movements. This package includes a full year’s subscription to The Bitter Southerner and 15% off all orders in the general store.
$65 from The Bitter Southerner.
7. Kindle
The new Amazon Kindle holds 16 GB of books, magazines, and comics all packed in a lightweight 6-inch display. Wrapped in with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, this new Kindle offers access to over 4 million titles, thousands of audiobooks, and more. We are also obsessed with the new matcha-colored case!
8. Thumb Page Holder
For your friend who is always on the go, this inventive bookmark fits directly into the curve of your book, offering a convenient way to hold your page with one hand. Plus the dried flower design is super cute!
9. Pocket-sized Classic
Macmillan Publisher’s Twentieth Anniversary Modern Classic Line pairs iconic books with a design that’s both small enough to fit in your pocket and unique enough to stand out on your bookshelf. We love the minimalist designs of their Series 3 Collection, especially “The Hours” by Michael Cunningham.
Around $15 each, click here to learn more.
Literary Events
? TODAY at 2:00 p.m., the Atlanta Chapter of Let’s Book Brunch kicks off its inaugural event at Omni Coffee & Eggs. The book of the month is “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden, a gripping psychological thriller with unexpected plot twists. Enjoy a delicious brunch spread and fun activities to connect with fellow book lovers. General admission is $20.
? On Tues., Dec. 10 at 7:00 p.m., A Cappella Books welcomes Thurston Moore, founding member of Sonic Youth, to discuss his new memoir, “Sonic Life: A Memoir” at The Tara Theatre. In conversation with music journalist, Chad Radford, Moore shares insights into his life, art, and the music scene that helped shape him and his literary development. Tickets start at $16.
?? On Tues. Dec. 10 at 7:00 p.m., Toni Tipton-Martin and Morgan Bolling discuss their new book, “When Southern Women Cook” at the Atlanta History Center. A first-of-its-kind Southern cookbook, it features more than 300 Cook’s Country recipes and fascinating insights into the culinary techniques and heroes of the American South, including 200+ stories of women who’ve shaped the cuisine. AHC member tickets are $6, and $12 for nonmembers.
☕ On Wed., Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m., the Sandy Springs Book Club will meet at the Pontoon Brewing Company Tap Room. Whether you bring your own book or choose one from their free library, it’s a perfect way to enjoy a relaxing evening of reading and community. Grab a bite and drink beforehand, and settle in for an hour of quiet reading. The Event is FREE.
? On Sun., Dec. 15 at 2:30 p.m., Trees Atlanta hosts a holiday tree tour and book exchange on the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum Southwest Trail, starting at Best End Brewery. The tour highlights holiday evergreens and unique plants followed by a book exchange featuring “tree-themed” reads. Registration is required, but the event is FREE.
Stacks: 2024 Wrapped
What a year! Here were some of our 2023 favorites, covered in Stacks and beyond.
Favorite Book of 2024: “Intermezzo” by Salley Rooney
? An instant New York Times Bestseller, Sally Rooney’s highly anticipated “Intermezzo” is an exquisitely moving story about grief, love, and family. Following two brothers – Peter a Dublin lawyer in his thirties and Ivan a twenty-two-year-old competitive chess player – as they navigate the death of their father and new relationships, Sally Rooney pulls on our heartstrings yet again. “Intermezzo” is a must-read of literature this year!
Favorite Event of the Year: Decatur Book Festival
?️ The Decatur Book Festival back in October celebrated the beautiful literary community in Decatur. The author panels and book signings provided opportunities to engage in insightful discussions before stopping by the local food trucks. Whether you are simply browsing for your next read or looking for a lively day out, the Decatur Book Festival is worth checking out – you don’t want to miss the festival’s 20th anniversary next October.
Favorite Podcast of the Year: The Reader Podcast
? “The Reader Podcast” is all about offering inspiring stories, poems, and meaningful conversations around shared reading–it’s simply a warm hug! Hosted by Frances Macmillan, each episode explores a unique theme, bringing us into a world of community fueled by a passion for literature. You can find it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Podbean–don’t miss out!
Favorite Book-to-Screen Adaptation of the Year: ‘We Were the Lucky Ones’
?️ “We Were the Lucky Ones,” based on the moving novel by Georgia Hunter came out as a limited series in March and we still can’t stop thinking about it. The dialogue is captivating and particularly beautiful, along with incredible performances by Joey King as Halina and Logan Lerman as Addy. Taking place in WWII Europe, the Jewish Kurc family struggles to maintain their normalcy amidst the encroaching horrors of the conflict. Amidst tales of refugees, captives, and resistance fighters, the narrative unfolds as a poignant battle for liberation. Based on a true story, “We Were the Lucky Ones” celebrates the resilience to discover hope amidst the bleakest of circumstances. You can watch it on Disney + or Hulu.
Favorite IG Account of the Year: reading_robyn_
? A fellow booklover who is clearly passionate about literature and traveling, Robyn has curated a lively feed. With her book recommendations as well as exciting reviews of the latest releases, you are sure to find your next page-turner scrolling through her account! And if you are looking for a new book club to join, Robyn hosts book club meetings with her followers or you can tune into her Spotify podcast “Reading Robyn’s Book Club.”
Favorite Bookstore of the Year: A Capella Books
? We absolutely adore A Capella Books, a true gem in Georgia! This is the go-to spot if you’re looking for an indie bookstore with characters and a wide selection of new and used books! Nestled in the heart of Atlanta, it’s the perfect place to find your next great read or attend one of their fantastic author events.
Favorite Literary Organization: Lostintheletters
?️ This year, we’ve loved Lostintheletters, an Atlanta-based literary organization that champions inclusive, community-based storytelling and creative writing. Known for curating intimate readings, workshops, and events, they foster a meaningful community, highlighting the literary voices that shape Atlanta’s culture. Be sure to check them out for a dose of creativity and inspiration!
Favorite Literary Figure: Emily Giffin
? Not only is Emily Giffin a star in the Atlanta Literary World, appearing at the Book Festival at the MJCCA this fall after a sold-out Book Talk at the Atlanta History Center in July, but she is also passionately committed to building a literary community across Atlanta. Her help to promote authors like Ed Burns at a SCAD show in October as well as her enthusiastic support of Atlanta’s thriving book scene through her Instagram (with a following of 129k!) is inspiring. We also loved her latest novel, The Summer Pact, which came out in July. You can read Eloisa’s exclusive interview with her here.
The Best Books We Read This Year
“Hello Beautiful” by Ann Napolitano
As much as I loved “Dear Edward,” this novel tops the list of Ann Napolitano’s incredible work. Based on the classic, “Little Women”, “Hello Beautiful” follows four sisters and a broken man who marries into the family through the trials and tribulations of love, loss, and ambition. Achingly beautiful and immersive, I was captivated by Napolitano’s writing and poignant characters, all mirroring familiar characteristics of the March sisters. But get ready– many tears will be shed by the end! – Eloisa
“My Brilliant Friend” by Elena Ferrante
In this novel, Elena Ferrante’s distinctive voice and honest portrayal of growing up drew me in immediately. Beginning in the 1950s in a poor yet vibrant neighborhood on the outskirts of Naples, Italy, the first book in the four-volume series is about a lifelong friendship between two women, Elena and Lila. Her writing feels very intimate with long inner monologues, revealing the rich inner lives of the characters and their deeply complicated relationships. I was so invested in Elena and Lila’s journey into adulthood that I couldn’t put this book down! – Caroline
“Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan
While I’ve always admired Amy Tan’s storytelling, “The Joy Luck Club” is her most unforgettable work. The novel intricately tells the stories of four Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters, capturing the tension and love that arise from cultural and family expectations. Tan’s writing is rich and deeply resonant, drawing me into the triumphs and heartaches of the beautifully flawed yet relatable characters. Heartfelt and thought-provoking, this book will have you laughing, crying, and reflecting on the powerful ties of heritage and family! – Sarah
? Celebrate the season with the ASO & Chorus as they perform timeless carols, Thurs., Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. Then start the new year with Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Fri., Jan. 10 at 3 p.m. & Sun., Jan. 12 at 3 p.m. Get tickets here. SPONSOR MESSAGE
