Tag: holidays

The Blog Wants to Know: Dec. 2025

In this holiday season, you might be working through your shopping list of gifts for loved ones, but it’s okay to share what you might like this season so we asked our library staff what they’re hoping for!

What’s something you’re hoping for in the holidays, whether a gift from others or a gift you might get for yourself? What’s something you’ve had your eye on for a while? Maybe your wish list might inspire some ideas for others! 

Ashley, Interlibrary Loan and Cataloguing: This holiday, I got myself a little gift.  I moved into a bigger apartment this summer so I was lacking a few items to fill the space.  I really wanted a dining table with chairs for my kitchen.  I finally found one that was reasonably priced and the perfect fit.  Last weekend I went to pick it up and got it set up in my space.  I LOVE it!  I cannot wait to have people over for a little dinner party.  Luckily Christmas is just around the corner!

Kathy, Public Support Services: There is not anything I need anymore, so the thing I want most is to spend time with my family!

Dawn S., Youth Services Coordinator: What I want the most is for life to slow down a bit this holiday season so I can enjoy it. I feel like I’m always running from place to place and exhausting myself. I want to spend the holidays with my family and enjoy my surroundings. 

Tabbitha, Youth Services: Honestly, the best gift I could ask for isn’t something that can be wrapped. I just want time with my family! Just to be present, share some laughs, and intentionally create those beautiful, core memories that we all can share for years to come and that will stick with my daughters for a life time.

Alyssa, Adult and Teen Services: I had the opportunity to take surf lessons with my goddaughter this summer, and I realized pretty quickly how much strength and training it requires. Since Kansas is the most landlocked state ever, I know that I need something to help for the next time I get to hop on a board in the ocean. I found this awesome balance board called the RevBalance Swell, and I really hope to snag that so I can practice my balance for the waves!

Shane, Public Support Services: I always appreciate a gift that makes my life easier in some way. This year I asked for a Happy Planner for next year, a new computer keyboard, and a water distiller. However, I have been eyeing a sale for a Big Blanket Co. Hideout Hoodie. I just can’t justify the full cost to spend on myself!

Now it’s your turn! What are some of your holiday wishes this year? Share them in the comments below, and Happy Holidays!


What’s Ashley Reading?: Good Spirits

Good Spirits by B. K. Borison

First line: On the first day of December, the universe gave to me –

Summary: Harriet York is being haunted. She has no idea why because she tries to be a good person. However, when the Ghost of Christmas Past arrives she begins to wonder what may have happened in her past to warrant this visit.

Nolan Callahan has spent nearly a century as the Ghost of Christmas Past. He has hoped that one day he will be able to move on but that day has not arrived. Each passing year becomes lonelier and then this year he is met with his most challenging assignment ever.

As Harriet and Nolan try to discover what is in Harriet’s past that brought them together, they find that their connection may go beyond what either of them ever imagined.

My Thoughts: I was very excited to get an early copy of this book! It has a pretty cover and such a cute summary. I had only started reading B.K. Borison this year with her book, First-Time Caller, and now I am hooked. The writing is fun and the romance a bit spicy.

From the beginning I loved the banter between the characters. Each one of them is sure that they know what is going on but soon discover that there is more at play here. Harriet is a people pleaser so she allows Nolan to try and fix the issue even though she is sure this is all a mistake. Nolan just wants to finish the job and move her along to the next ghost.

As the story progressed we learn more about each character. I loved to see the romance blossom but with it came parts where I felt so bad for each of them. They had parts of their lives that they had trouble acknowledging. It shows a lot when an author can make the reader feel for the fictional characters and I felt Borison did a fantastic job with this. By the end it all comes together with the warm holiday goodness you want.

If you are wanting a spicy holiday romance then I would highly recommend this! It hits all the Christmas-y vibes with candy canes, holiday pajamas and A Christmas Carol retelling.

Hmmm, are Christmas novels a . . . novelty?

So as Ashley was preparing for her book displays for December, and she mentioned that she was creating a display for seasonal titles, I started wondering about how many Christmas novels she’d find. Just regular adult fiction titles — not children’s books or other types of books.

Season's Reading holiday book display at the library for December
Ashley found lots of titles to include on her holiday book display this month!

I’ve never been a big reader of fictional stories that happen around Christmas, just as I’ve never been a big watcher of Christmas Hallmark movies. There’s certainly nothing wrong with either of those things, I just have never really had an interest in them.

But there I was, skimming through bargain Kindle titles on Amazon (I’m always up for a good book that costs a dollar or two) and up pops a title from an author I know and love, Kristin Hannah. Christmas novel. $2. Surely, I can give this a try, right? So I hit that little buy now button and onto my Kindle it goes.

Then I started noticing. Christmas novels are everywhere! Anne Perry, author of the wonderful Victorian mystery series featuring Charlotte and Thomas Pitt, and Inspector William Monk, has been writing a Christmas book every year for the past 16 years. Other titles are available from Debbie Macomber, Susan Mallery and Janet Evanovich and many, many more authors. There are comedies, romances, mysteries.

When I look at the books waiting on the carts to be shelved, I see Christmas novels. When I check in books, it feels like there’s bound to be one in the stack. Obviously, people love reading these stories, so maybe I ought to give it a try.

I just finished a book, and I was looking for something to read. I opened my Kindle, started leafing through my library, and here’s that Christmas book I just bought. I figured I’d give it a shot, because after all, it’s nearly Christmas. I started it on my lunch hour and I was hooked! In fact, don’t let the boss know, but I got so caught up in the story, that I was a few minutes late getting back to work!

So, tell me, do you love a good Christmas novel? And do I need to try watching Hallmark Christmas movies?