It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The winter holidays are the perfect chance to get comfortable with a good book, and luckily we have some best sellers right now. We’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for.

Sunday Funday by Katherine Hallgan

Hardback, $20 (10 percent off with membership)

A great book full of seasonal activities that families and friends can enjoy together. From gardening projects to creative hand-made things and warming winter recipes (食谱), there’s something for everyone, whatever the weather.

The History of the World in 100 Animals by Simon Barnes

Hardback, $16.99

This beautifully pictured book explores the good relationship between humans and animals, from bees to chimpanzees (黑猩猩) who share more than 90% of our DNA. If you are crazy about animals, this is the book for you.

Accidentally Famous by David Baddiel

Paperback, $12.99

Nothing amazing ever happens to Billy Smith but when TV workers visit his school he becomes popular, but as everyone knows, being famous comes with a price. David Baddiel’s laugh-out-loud book asks what life would be like if everyone suddenly knew your name.

Eddie Albert and the Animal Gang by Paul O’Grady

Paperback, $15

This action-filled adventure from TV favourite Paul O’Grady follows a young boy with a very special gift—he can talk to animals! On a trip to Amsterdam, Eddie meets a monkey in danger and rescues the young creature with the help of his animal friends.

Sejal Mehta’s Top 4 Reads

Sejal Mehta, a journalist and editor, has been making the recommended books accessible for her audiences.

A Walk in the Woods     Bill Bryson

Bryson reminds us how vital humour is in non-fiction in this travelogue that takes us through the author’s insightful, educational and consistently funny journey along the Appalachian Trail. Sequences where he reflects on the possibilities of being attacked by bears are laugh-out-loud funny, followed by moments of deep insight about an unfamiliar ecosystem that he ends up feeling a deep closeness with.

Ghachar Ghochar     Vivek Shanbhag

Originally written in Kannada, and translated masterfully by Srinath Perur, this story expertly weaves together family life, the ups and downs of wealth, class anxiety and social ambition. The title loosely means something ‘tangled (纠缠) beyond repair’, a nonsense phrase the narrator learns from his wife.

The Extreme Life of The Sea     Anthony R. and Stephen Palumbi

A glorious example of science communication about creatures of the deep, the authors take us on a deep dive with beautiful sentences: “The dark unnerves us. Whether it’s in the space below the stairs or beyond the campfire’s edge, people are nervous about surprises that hide unseen. The deepest reaches of the sea are really similar to life on another planet…Crushing pressures, deep cold and everlasting darkness rule the world’s basement.”

On Writing: A Memoir (回忆录) of the Craft     Stephen King

While King is known for his horror stories, there are parts of this book-part life navigation and part writing masterclass-that I return to when I find myself stuck, or unable to find my words. These lines and the paragraph that precedes it always hit home: “The writer must have a good imagination to begin with, but the imagination has to be muscular, which means it must be exercised in a disciplined way, day in and day out, by writing, failing, succeeding and revising.”

MOTHER EARTH NEWS GUIDE TO VEGETABLE GARDENING

For years, millions of readers have turned to Mother Earth News for trusted advice on growing vegetables and fruits. This book covers decades of wisdom, bringing together all the essential techniques, complete growing guides, helpful tips, useful photographs, and inspiring illustrations for which Mother Earth News is known.

Plan for self-sufficiency with a garden focused on food! Choose from a variety of plans for kitchen gardens, and look through strategies for small-space gardening, and suggestions on soil PH. Longtime gardeners are sure to find something new on plans for extending the seasons.

That’s right, garden through the seasons with dozens of vegetable-and fruit-specific growing guides. Start with your favorites or learn to love something new. In slower-growing or more challenging seasons, Mother is there to help. Whether you need to know the best vegetables to grow in the shade or the top gardening tips for soil health in winter, this book has it all. Subscribe from June1 to June 10 and save 30% off the cover price. If you pay with a credit card, you can save additional 2 dollars.