Whether you are looking for an advent devotional, a cozy nonfiction read, or a festive holiday fiction—here is a list of recommendations to get you started. I hope these encourage some special reading moments this Christmas season!

Gift Guides are BACK! We know how difficult it can be to find that perfect gift—and how rewarding it is when you find it! We decided to help you out a bit by compiling a list of unique gift ideas, mostly artisan and from small shops. We hope it offers you some inspiration this season, and maybe even makes checking things off your list a bit easier. Happy gifting!

Garrison Keillor once said, “A book is a gift you can open again and again.” I could not agree more! If you are looking for the perfect gift here is a book guide for every type of reader in your life!

Sally Anne is a former literature and writing professor and has carefully curated a collection of books involving three of the most universal yet thought-provoking themes–marriage, death, and faith. Sally Anne’s Book Club is a member-led group within the Collective and open to members on the Dive Collective network.

Sally Anne is a former literature and writing professor and has carefully curated a collection of books involving three of the most universal yet thought-provoking themes–marriage, death, and faith. Sally Anne’s Book Club is a member-led group within the Collective and open to members on the Dive Collective network.

It’s almost spring! How do we know? We observe signs of it all around us in the cherry tree blossoms and the stores with blooming tulips for sale. What about growing something that is good to eat, like your own fresh greens? Things like bean sprouts, lettuce, bok choy, & kale are greens.

Each year I always look forward to planting the garden with my daughter. She loves to help plant, water, and harvest. This is a time that I will always cherish no matter how the garden turns out that year because, let’s face it, some years are better than others. Each year is a learning experience, and every year I try to learn a few new things.

January usually begins with a complete inundation of resolutions; diet talk and unrealistic expectations that leave most disappointed by February 1. With this in mind, I have started approaching the start of a new year with the aim to create a manageable goal that gets me excited to pursue each day.

New Year’s Eve morning in the Groomes Family looks quite different than most as anywhere from 60-80 people (ranging from 6 months to 80 years-old) cycle through our home chatting together while tasting roughly 3 dozen different varieties of pie. We call this Pie Breakfast, and it is our most treasured family tradition. 

The holidays bring people together, and the main events are usually special meals or gift exchanges. What about after the meal when the turkey tryptophan food coma sets in and the phones come out? While backyard football is fun for the ones who are still awake, it may not be something your great-aunt Sandy can do. There is a free way to wake up your guests and bring everyone together: Comedy Improv Games.

Years ago, I read about the most enchanting holiday tradition in Iceland. It is called Jólabókaflóð and translated means “Yule Book Flood.” On Christmas Eve, it is customary to give loved ones a book as a gift and then proceed to read the new book all night long. Sign me up! Seeing that we are still in the middle of a pandemic, Christmas is sure to look a little different this year, so why not adopt a new tradition of gifting books to those you love?! Here are my recommendations for readers of all ages and literary preferences. 

We know how difficult it can be to find that perfect gift—and how rewarding it is when you find it! We decided to help you out a bit by compiling a list of unique gift ideas, mostly artisan and from small shops. We hope it offers you some inspiration this season, and maybe even makes checking things off your list a bit easier. Happy gifting!

Holiday cups have dropped at Starbucks which means one thing—the Christmas season is upon us! If you are like me and enjoy curling up next to the Christmas tree under a warm blanket with a good book, I hope one of these holiday picks will add a little extra joy.