Who: Megan, Merchandising
What: Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
Why: I’ve read it every holiday season since college, and I still laugh just as hard as I did the first time.  All of his books are hilarious and incredibly well written.

Who: Beatrice, Accessories
What: Shutter Island, by Dennis Lehane
Why: It’s a great psychological thriller, by a great writer – a combination that should be easy to come by, but is actually very hard to find!  Lehane has great powers of description, and really makes you empathize with all the characters – good and evil.  A multi-faceted thriller that’s impossible to put down.

Who: Lauren, DVF Stylist
What: Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami (2002)
Why: This book immerses me in Japanese history while taking me for a ride through inconceivable fantasies.

Who: Sarah, Architecture
What:  Why Architecture Matters by Paul Goldberg
Why: Just got it yesterday from my roomies for Christmas….(they saw the author interviewed on The Colbert Report)

Who: Marty, Store Manager/Woodbury
What:  Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
Why:  For everyone, there is a different interpretation… but for me, it was about Bella’s strength and how love gave her this great strength… it was great to follow her development from this young, fragile girl to emerge as a huge pillar of strength at the end… and I’m a total sucker for romance.

Who: Ashley, Creative
What: The Journeys of Socrates
Why: My mother insisted that it was the “best book she has ever read”…and so she might be right.  Even though I have not read any of his other books, it proved to be an amazing story. We are all on a journey in life and anyone who has spent any time in self-exploration will appreciate this latest book from Dan Millan. His writing is down to earth and thought provoking, and the ending holds the best surprise. It is a true story about how life always comes full circle.

Who: Valeria, Sales
What: The Curious Incident of the Dog at Night Time by Mark Haddon
Why: It’s so fresh, funny and sad at the same time. Once I started I couldn’t stop reading it – it’s entertaining and it gives a lot to think of.

Who: Eva, Southampton Store
What: The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston
Why: It’s the true story of Italy’s most infamous serial killer who murdered and ravaged the bodies of young lovers across Florence’s countryside. If you’re like me and can’t get enough Hannibal Lector and Cold Case Files on A&E, it’s a must read.  Upon moving his family to Italy, Preston learns that he lives next door to where one of the horrific crimes took place and teams up with Mario Spezi, a journalist who had been covering the case since the 80s, to further investigate. And in an interesting twist, the story involves the crazy prosecutor who just put Amanda Knox behind bars. Not exactly in the holiday spirit, but a great book to enjoy with a fire and eggnog.

KEYWORDS: Books