DCTRENDING'S 2024 Winter Booklist
Reading for Healing, Hope, and Action
As 2024 winds down, once again we’ve asked local booksellers to share their book recommendations with our readers. In a world increasingly marked by uncertainty and division, books offer solace and meaning like never before. The stories we read, share, and talk about can be beacons of hope, or calls to action. Ultimately, the stories we choose to elevate matter.
Given the complexities of our current global situation, we're taking a different approach with our fourth annual booklist and have decided against a holiday gift guide. Instead, we partnered with local independent bookstores to curate a focused list of recent socially, culturally, and/or politically engaged works. Because we seek to uplift local voices, this list is made up of books by D.C. area authors.
This year’s participating bookstores are located across the metro area in Virginia, Maryland, and the District. Read on for the top picks of books by D.C. area authors from Bards Alley Bookshop, East City Bookshop, Loyalty Bookstores, People’s Book, Scrawl Books, and the editors at DCTRENDING.
Bards Alley Bookshop
110 Church St. NW, Vienna, VA 22180
Phone: (571) 459-2653
Website: www.bardsalley.com
When Jen Morrow opened Bards Alley in 2017, she wanted to create a space where young and old could gather to exchange ideas, receive personalized book recommendations, and discover new books and local authors. Bard is an allusion to Shakespeare but also the long tradition of poets as storytellers. Check out their bookish subscription boxes, book clubs, and events.
Bard’s Alley Recs
Every Valley: The Desperate Lives and Troubled Times That Made Handel's Messiah
by Charles King
Nonfiction
Charles King, a professor at Georgetown University, uses Messiah as the throughline for an adventurous history of the Enlightenment that connects classical music to royal intrigue, romantic scandal, and the transatlantic slave trade. In the process, he revives George Frideric Handel and Charles Jennings's work, demonstrating why it continues to comfort and inspire audiences almost three centuries later. Recommended by staff member Amy Woolsey.
Symbiote (forthcoming in 2025)
by Michael Nayak
Science fiction
“Nayak's upcoming Symbiote is genre-bending, blending elements from science fiction, climate fiction, and military thrillers. When an epidemic of violent tendencies in the isolated region of Antarctica, survivors must parse out the uninfected lest the epidemic spreads internationally. Every turn of the page is tense and atmospheric, and it makes for a perfect wintertime read.” Recommended by General Manager Mallory Sutton.
East City Bookshop
645 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Unit 100, Washington DC 20003
Phone: 202-290-1636
info@eastcitybookshop.com
Website: www.eastcitybookshop.com
East City Bookshop opened in 2016 and is a gathering place for book lovers of all ages. Owner Laurie Gillman was inspired to open the store after her neighborhood bookstore closed and left a void. East City Bookshop offers a selection of toys, gifts, art supplies, and bookish items. Their mission is to provide friendly and warm service, community-oriented events, and support for the literary arts at every reading level. Find events, book clubs for adults and kids, storytime, and personalized gift bundles and concierge shopping.
east city recs
By Louis Bayard
Historical fiction
“An empathetic, witty, thoroughly engrossing portrait of the Wilde family—Oscar, his wife Constance, and their sons. Focusing on each family member, along with Oscar's longtime lover Lord Alfred Douglas, Bayard masterfully brings historical figures out of the shadows and shines a light on the lesser-known characters and their stories, giving us a much richer experience of history we thought we knew.” Recommended by Owner Laurie Gillman.
By Laura Hankin
Fiction
“I anticipate this book will resonate with so many readers. Hankin's portrayal of the ways friendships change as people enter different phases of life is so spot-on, it's impossible to look away. She combines that gravity with the levity of love in a manner that is truly standout, and, dare I say it, five stars.” Recommended by staff member Destinee Hodge.
Loyalty Bookstores
Locations: Petworth | 843 Upshur Street NW, Washington, DC 20011
At the DC Pop Up | 1155 Dahlia St NW, Washington, DC 20012
Silver Spring | 923 Gist Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Email: info@loyaltybookstores.com
Loyalty Bookstores was founded by Hannah Oliver Depp, a Black and Queer Bookseller who has spent her career working to diversify the book industry and better serve the powerful communities of color and queerness. When Christine Bollow joined and became co-owner, she brought events experience and perspective as a Queer, disabled, and biracial Filipina bookseller. Check out their subscription boxes, membership programs, and community events.
Loyalty Recs
by Salinee Goldenberg
Fantasy
“Marketed as The Witcher meets Princess Mononoke, The Last Phi Hunter is steeped in Thai mythology and culture, making it an engaging, dynamic read. With queer characters, an epic quest, cool monsters, and badass fight scenes, this is a rich addition to the dark fantasy genre!” Recommended by Co-Owner and Director of Programs Christine Bollow.
Gather Me: A Memoir in Praise of the Books That Saved Me
by Glory Edim
Memoir
“Before I started this book, I knew it would be essential to my life. Glory's words and her life story are profoundly transformative to witness as a reader. I love exploring how books impact the lives of Black women.” A staff favorite! Recommended by bookseller Chardai Powell.
Like Happiness
by Ursula Villarreal-Moura:
Fiction
“I had to double check that this is a debut novel because the writing has the self-assuredness and weight of an author well into their career. With fantastic prose and a compelling story and protagonist, Like Happiness grabbed my attention from page one and never let go. I cannot wait to follow Ursula Villarreal-Moura's career; I know I will eagerly read anything she writes!" Recommended by Co-Owner/Director of Programs Christine Bollow.
Also recommended by Loyalty Booksellers: You Know What You Did by K.T. Nguyen. Psychological thriller. Daughter of the Merciful Deep by Leslye Penelope. Historical fantasy. Looking For a Sign by Susie Dumond. LGBTQ+ romance.
People’s Book
7014-A Westmoreland Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912
Phone: (240) 641-8979
Email: info@peoplesbooktakoma.com
Website: www.peoplesbooktakoma.com
People’s Book opened in 2023. Owner Megan Bormet is a mom and former educator. When she moved to Takoma Park, she was looking forward to spending a lot of time in her local bookstore. There wasn’t one, so she opened her own. The store hosts a free story time for kids every Sunday morning, along with many other events, book clubs, and even a zine subscription box. All books are recommended by owner Megan Bormet.
People’s Book recs
Inclusive Transportation: A Manifesto for Repairing Divided Communities
by Veronica Davis
Nonfiction
Transportation expert Veronica O. Davis shines a light on the inequitable and often destructive practice of transportation planning and engineering. She calls for new thinking and more diverse leadership to create transportation networks that connect people to jobs, education, opportunities, and to each other. Inclusive Transportation is a vision for change and a new era of transportation planning. Davis used to live in D.C., though she has since relocated.
by Renee Bracey Sherman and Regina Mahone
Nonfiction
A galvanizing history of abortion recentering people of color to put forth a timely argument that we must liberate abortion for all. Award-winning abortion activist Renee Bracey Sherman (who is based in D.C.) and journalist Regina Mahone illustrate the long racist history that brought us to this moment, uncover the hidden figures who set the foundation activists and storytellers build on today, and explain how abortion remains essential to the health of our communities.
by Perry Zurn, Andrea J. Pitts, Talia Mae Bettcher, and Pj Dipietro
Nonfiction
Establishing trans philosophy as a unique field of inquiry, offering tools for our quest toward a more just and equitable world. Trans Philosophy defines this burgeoning and polymorphous discipline as philosophical work that is accountable to and illuminative of cross-cultural and global trans experiences, histories, and cultural productions. Zurn is a professor of philosophy at American University.
Scrawl Books
11911 Freedom Dr., Reston VA 20190
Phone: 703-966-2111
Email: info@scrawlbooks.com
Website: https://www.scrawlbooks.com
Scrawl Books supports local literacy efforts and freedom of speech and strives to reflect and contribute to the diversity of Reston, Herndon, and the surrounding area. Owner Rachel Wood, who opened the store in 2015, is a former librarian with over 20 years of experience connecting books with people. Check out their book bundles and subscriptions, community support programs, and events. All recommendations are from Leah Grover, Communication and Events Manager.
Scrawl Recs
The Kingdom, The Power, and The Glory
By Tim Alberta
Nonfiction
“Tim Alberta writes, to borrow his own phrase, with ‘brutal candor.’ He pulls no punches, both in his journalism, and in his criticism and exhortation. This is THE book that I recommend for this moment. Although Alberta currently lives in Michigan, he lived in D.C. for over a decade.”
by Sarah McCammon
Nonfiction
“The Exvangelicals is a searing look at the harms perpetuated by the white evangelical church, yet it's written with such genuine care. An equally important read whether you're completely unaware of the culture of evangelicalism or you grew up in the church. McCammon is a Norfolk author, and you might recognize her name from her work as a political correspondent with NPR.”
DCTRENDING Recs
Our primary objective is to shed light on the many talented authors in the D.C. area, particularly those whose work explores themes of cultural awareness, social change, and social impact. The following recommendations are from our Local Authors Editor, Norah Vawter.
by Mojgan Ghazirad
Fiction
The House on Sun Street is a lyrical, nuanced novel that brings the Iranian Revolution of 1979 to life. Author Mojgan Ghazirad is a native of Iran who now lives in the D.C. area. She’s waded through her childhood memories of living through the Revolution to show us the human dimension of a country in turmoil. It’s easy to get lost in this beautiful novel, with its poetic prose, quiet but powerful voice, and strong cast of characters. Read our review here.
For the Blessings of Jupiter and Venus
by Varun Gauri
Fiction
This debut novel won the Washington Writers’ Publishing House’s 2024 Carol Trawick Fiction Prize. Disillusioned with modern romance, globe-trotting Meena tries an arranged marriage with Avi, an aspiring politician in Ohio. But when Avi's political opponent launches racist attacks, Meena and Avi are forced to defend their immigrant community. This is an intimate, funny, and heartbreaking novel about small-town America and the politics of marriage. Look out for our forthcoming review in 2025.
Norah Vawter is the Local Authors Editor for DCTRENDING. She’s a freelance writer, editor, and novelist, represented by Victress Literary. Norah lives in Virginia with her family. Follow her @norahvawter on Instagram, Threads, and Substack.