CRP's Blog

Winter weather is here, the holidays are just around the corner, and this is our last staff reads post of the year. Enjoy! We’ll be back soon with what we’re reading in the New Year. #CRPreads

I’ve got a ton of books on my to-be-read list, so I’m hoping to check off a few of them during the holidays! I might start out with My Father Before Me and balance out what sounds like a beautiful if somber read with feel-good Soft in the Head.  —Ashley Alferivic, publicity associate

My reading time has been devoted to holiday shopping lately and I am embarrassed to say I’m still making my way through Commonwealth by Ann Patchett! I’m hoping to log some long overdue hours with it over the holidays. I also just got the audiobook of The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead from Overdrive, so I’m looking forward to starting that soon too. —Caitlin Eck, publicity manager

Earlier this fall I was lucky to hear Charles Johnson give a talk at the Chicago Public Library. I’m embarrassed to admit that I’ve never read any of his fiction, so, over the holidays, I plan on reading the copy of Dreamer that I purchased in the lobby that night. I’m also eager to check out his new collection The Way of the Writer: Reflections on the Art and Craft of Storytelling at some point too. —Allison Felus, production manager

I’ve recently started a re-listen to the Harry Potter series–I’m perhaps not quite as excited as an eleven-year-old when they receive their letter from Hogwarts, but I’ve been pretty darn excited when receiving notification that my place on the library holds for the books has finally come up. I just finished listening to Chamber of Secrets and now I’m waiting for Prisoner of Azkaban, my favorite of the series. And during the holidays, I’m looking forward to reading Mary Robinette Kowal’s Ghost Talkers, a fantasy novel about the work of the Spirit Corp, a special branch of military intelligence during World War I that was comprised of spiritualists/mediums–mostly badass women–who learned intel from the recently killed soldiers on the front. I can’t wait! —Mary Kravenas, marketing manager

I just finished up The Power of Habit and, as a result, I’ve developed trust issues with grocery stores, toothpaste, and my own mind. Next up, I’m planning on reading The Cider House Rules over the holidays because I love John Irving and I want to get lost in a huge book this winter.  —Emily Lewis, editorial and marketing assistant

I’m currently reading Jan Swafford’s Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph. It’s an excellent biography.  —Yuval Taylor, senior editor

My sons’ big Christmas gift this year is going to be a dedicated play area in the basement. Which means I need to spend the next week clearing out a dedicated play area in the basement. I’ll be reviewing parts Alison Stewart’s Junk and putting a hold on a copy of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up at the library . . .  —Michelle Williams, managing editor

—compiled by Emily Lewis