UNP staff members are always reading new books, both within our list and outside of what we publish. Here are some of the books we gifted to loved ones this holiday season or are planning to read in the new year!

“I’m gifting copies of John Mabry’s Nebraska Volleyball for my grandma, aunt, and mom since they’re all big Husker volleyball fans. Over the break, I’m hoping to reread Suzanne Collins’ series, The Underland Chronicles, which follows Gregor and his adventures in a subterranean world beneath New York City.” -Sarah Kee

“I also gave a couple of copies of Mabry’s book to my family! I’m giving a copy of How to be a Good Creature by Sy Montgomery to my mother-in-law this year. She has a great fascination and appreciation for animals. This book is a memoir in short stories, sprinkled with beautiful illustrations by Rebecca Green. The author describes some of her cherished relationships with animals ranging from beloved pets to her creature encounters while traveling the world.” -Lacey Losh

“I am gifting the Bass Reeves trilogy by Sidney Thompson to my dad and brother for Christmas since they both enjoy Westerns, and the Ted Kooser: More Than a Local Wonder by Carla Ketner to my young nephews and son. Over the holiday break, I plan to read Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. My friend and fellow book club member has suggest that I read it multiple times and just loves it, so I thought I’d see what all the fuss is about.” -Emily Casillas

“I’ve been pretty busy this last month and haven’t done a lot of reading, so I’m hopeful that I’ll have the opportunity to catch up during the holiday break! I tend to keep a few books sitting on top my drawers for easy grabbing, including The Cartographers by Peng Shepard, about a woman and the map that estranged her relationship with her father, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, and The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin, the second in her Broken Earth trilogy.” -Taylor Martin

“Love to see the Ted Kooser book being gifted to littles! I look forward to giving one to my nephew when he’s old enough. I’m reading House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus III. It’s one of Oprah’s Book Club novels about a woman recently divorced and recovered from drug addiction who loses her house to an immigrant family that wrongfully purchased it. The author’s talent lies in being able to produce two very different lives that you feel equally sympathetic for, and while it’s a slow burn, I’m enjoying it so far.” -Taylor Gilreath

“I’m finishing up Godfall by Van Jensen (which I am also sending as a gift to my sister and brother-in-law, along with Rise Up! by Craig Harris). Next up on my list is The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins—courtesy of Sarah!” -Rosemary Sekora

“I am gifting It’s Fun to Be a Person I Don’t Know by Chachi D. Hauser and a copy of Forget I Told You This by Hilary Zaid to two of my friends since they like memoir and queer narratives. I’m also thinking about trying out Spotify’s audiobook expansion and listening to Yellowface by R.F. Kuang over the break while I sink what will inevitably be many hours into Tears of the Kingdom.” -Rebecca Jefferson