Rita Reads: November 2025 Roundup📚✨

👋 Hi friends,

With the busy month of December almost upon us, I think it’s important to slow down and take a moment for yourself. The holiday season brings joy and a whole lot of planning. Consider this your reminder to pause, unwind, and escape into a feel-good story.

This month, I’m sharing three holiday-themed books perfect for cozy evenings on the couch. Whether you're looking for something heartwarming, charming, or unexpectedly reflective, these stories capture the spirit of the season in their own unique ways.

Happy reading,

Fiction

David Baldacci is an American novelist best known for his suspense novels and legal thrillers. An attorney by training, he wrote his first book, Absolute Power, over the course of three years while practicing law. When it was published in 1996, it became an international bestseller, launching a career that has now spanned more than 40 novels published in over 80 countries. Though he's famous for fast-paced thrillers, Baldacci occasionally steps into lighter, more heartwarming territory, and The Christmas Train is one of those rare departures.

The Christmas Train is a real shift from Baldacci’s usual thrillers, and I loved seeing this softer, more sentimental side of his writing. It’s a heart-warming holiday story filled with romance, self-discovery, and a little mystery, all set aboard a cross-country train.

The story follows Tom Langdon, a journalist who’s been temporarily banned from flying after an altercation with airport security. Forced to travel by train from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles in the days before Christmas, Tom just wants to arrive in time to see his girlfriend. Instead, he finds himself surrounded by quirky fellow passengers, unexpected challenges, and even a former love. Along the way, Tom gains a deeper understanding of the true meaning of Christmas.

It’s a cozy, charming read for the season. And fun fact: Hallmark adapted it into a movie in 2017, starring Dermot Mulroney as Tom Langdon.

Fiction

Fannie Flagg (born Patricia Neal) grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and has worked as a writer and actress across television, film, and theater. She’s best known for her beloved novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, which became an Academy Award–nominated film in 1992. Flagg’s books often blend small-town charm and heartfelt storytelling, and those qualities shine in her holiday tale.

The only Fannie Flagg novel I’d read before this was Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (which I loved), so I wanted to try one of her Christmas stories. A Redbird Christmas did not disappoint.

The story begins with Oswald, a grumpy man from Chicago who’s told by his doctor that he must move to a warmer climate for his health. He ends up in the tiny town of Lost River, Arkansas, where he rents a room and quickly meets the warm, welcoming residents who make up this close-knit community. Soon, Oswald befriends a little girl named Patsy and her very special friend, a red bird named Jack. Jack becomes the heart of this magical holiday story.

This book is sweet and full of the type of kindness and community that feels especially meaningful this time of year. A lovely, memorable holiday read.

Fiction

Fredrik Backman is a Swedish novelist, blogger, and columnist best known for his international bestseller A Man Called Ove. Across more than a dozen novels, Backman has become known for stories that explore family, connection, and the quiet ways people change each other’s lives. His writing often blends humor and heartbreak, and The Deal of a Lifetime is no exception.

This book was not what I was expecting. It isn’t a sweet holiday tale, but in true Backman fashion, it’s a complex, emotional story about a flawed man reckoning with the choices he’s made.

At just 65 pages, it’s a short read — but a powerful one. The story follows a successful, self-centered businessman who is forced to confront the end of his life and ask himself what truly matters. As he reflects on years of ambition, distance, and regret, he faces a life-altering decision: would he sacrifice his own life to save someone else’s? Before he can make this “deal of a lifetime,” he must finally decide whether his own life has been worth living.

I’ve read this book at least three times now, and each time I’ve found deeper meaning in what Backman is trying to illustrate. It’s a small book with a big message, which is a perfect reminder for the season.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the books I’ll be reading next. Plus, you can follow me on Goodreads to keep up with my latest ratings.

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Thanks for spending a little of your time with me. I hope these stories, recommendations, and little literary detours brought a smile to your day or even inspired your next great read. Keep turning those pages and sharing the joy of books with someone you love. Until next time!