Unboxing My Latest Book Haul
Book Mail: A Roundup of the Book Mail I Received Last Week
Mid-November has that gentle hush before the holidays, when the world feels slower, cozier—and this week’s book mail made it even sweeter. My TBR pile has grown into a soft stack of promise, thanks to a book haul brimming with new book releases that seem tailor-made for chilly evenings and candlelight reading. Each parcel carried thoughtful book recommendations, little nudges from friends and fellow readers who somehow always know what my heart needs next. With so many titles destined to be among the best books of 2025, I can’t help but feel that this is the season for stories—unwrapping them one by one, like tiny gifts meant just for me.
Where to Buy These Books:
I want to note that I do not get paid to do these posts, I just love authors and the book industry. However, they do take time and energy to create. If you want to donate a few dollars to my coffee fund, which keeps this blog going, you can do so here: https://venmo.com/AshleyHasty or here: http://paypal.me/hastybooklist.
What I Wore:
In mid November, when cozy textures and golden tones define the season, a camel and black striped short-sleeve sweater paired with jeans becomes the perfect main character outfit—chic, timeless, and effortlessly confident. Styled with your everyday gold hoop earrings and your signature herringbone necklace layered with a graduated rope chain, the look radiates main character energy through its understated sophistication. As you peruse a fresh stack of book mail, filled with character-driven novels, books that inspire confidence, and stories about strong characters, you can feel yourself embodying main character energy. This is where main character aesthetic books and clothing intersect—fashion for self-expression that mirrors the same introspection and creativity found in books for self-discovery. In this moment, surrounded by soft light, good stories, and thoughtful style, you’re living your main character life—poised between chapters, savoring the beauty of both fashion and fiction.
This Week’s Book Mail Includes:
The Secret Christmas Library by Jenny Colgan – When a book hunter, a rival treasure seeker, and a Highland laird are snowed into a crumbling castle, a race to uncover a lost literary treasure turns into a heartwarming holiday mystery filled with love, rivalry, and festive cheer.
The Marriage Narrative by Claire Kann – A no-nonsense entrepreneur and a reality-TV heir enter a marriage of convenience for mutual gain—but as real emotions spark, they must decide if their story ends as business or becomes true love.
The Seventh Champion by Sylvia Mercedes – A reluctant dragon princess and a scarred prince form an uneasy alliance to escape a deadly competition for her hand, unaware their fates—and hearts—are bound by a dark past.
Next Time Will Be Our Turn by Jesse Q. Sutanto – At a family celebration, a granddaughter’s world shifts when her grandmother’s bold act of love unearths a decades-long secret romance and a powerful story of identity, courage, and self-discovery.
The Botanist’s Assistant by Peggy Townsend – When her quiet, orderly world is shattered by a suspicious death, a meticulous research assistant must turn detective in this witty and uplifting mystery about resilience and reinvention.
The Jilted Countess by Loretta Ellsworth – Based on a true story, a Hungarian countess jilted by her G.I. fiancé seeks a new American husband through a newspaper appeal, finding unexpected love and heartbreak in postwar Minnesota.
An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister – Two rival English professors fake a marriage to secure a coveted job—only to find that pretending to be in love might be the smartest lesson they’ve ever learned.
The Black Market by Jed Alexander – On Halloween night, two friends hunt for a hidden marketplace trading in magical mischief, uncovering eerie wonders and dark consequences in this illustrated middle-grade adventure.
Día de los Muertos Day of the Dead ABC by Gabriela Orozco Belt and Estelí Meza – Journey through the alphabet to discover the colorful traditions, foods, and symbols of Día de los Muertos in this beautifully bilingual celebration of Mexican culture.
Bit Player on Big Stages by Roger Turenne – From small-town Manitoba to global diplomacy, Roger Turenne’s remarkable memoir traces a life of advocacy, courage, and dedication to language, culture, and conservation.
Risk Resilience and Redemption by Frank W. Baker – The harrowing yet hopeful true story of two Holocaust survivors whose courage, love, and faith carried them from unimaginable darkness to a new life in America.
Innocence Road by Laura Griffin – A determined detective returns to her Texas hometown to confront buried secrets and track a ruthless serial killer in this gripping small-town crime thriller.
Songbird of the Sorrows by Braidee Otto – A princess turned spy must navigate forbidden love, deadly trials, and a kingdom on the brink of war in this sweeping romantasy of passion and rebellion.
Why We Celebrate Día de los Muertos by Melanie Stuart-Campbell – Filled with fun facts and hands-on activities, this lively introduction invites young readers to honor loved ones and explore the joy and meaning behind Día de los Muertos.
ABCs of California’s Native Bees by Krystle Hickman – A stunning photographic A-to-Z exploration of California’s native bees that reveals the beauty, diversity, and importance of these often-overlooked pollinators.
