The way in which botanist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer relates Indigenous wisdom and her understanding of the plant world to the concept of economy is surprisingly magical. Wall advocates for a gift economy, based on reciprocity, gratitude and community.

In the late 18th century, midwife and healer Martha Ballard is charged with determining the cause of death after the Kennebec River freezes around a local man. Martha is literate, a rarity for women of this time, and she keeps a diary of the local births and deaths, as well as local crimes including theft and rape. This riveting tale is more than just a typical mystery, and I found it fascinating to learn that this story is based on a real women who wrote herself into the history of a small Maine town.

A lighthearted and cheesy romance that fulfilled my cozy season fluff craving. Jeanie's beloved aunt gifts her the beloved bookstore that she ran until her retirement in the small town of Dream Harbor, where she meets local farmer Logan. It has all the small town, fall, grumpy/sunshiny deliciousness romance readers could want. If you like this one, there are 5 others to binge as well. It also happens to be the first pick of our new PRL romance book club, beginning in January 2026!