December 2022 Book Club

Due to my recent health issues, this is the first time I’ve read my IRL book club’s book and attended the discussion since September. I’m glad I was able to go because not only do I love my book club, I look forward to December’s meeting all year.

We met in-person last Thursday evening to discuss December’s book, IN A HOLIDAZE by Christina Lauren. There were eleven of us who met together and only two people didn’t read the book. Here are some highlights of our discussion:

  • A couple of us really enjoyed the story, especially the romance part of it.
  • Most of the group thought it was fun but nothing to write home about. One of them didn’t think the big reveal was big enough. View Spoiler »
  • A few people really disliked the book. Interestingly, two of them don’t like the movie GROUNDHOG DAY either. The other person was just sick of implausible romances.
  • A couple of people wished there had been more GROUNDHOG DAY scenarios. I was okay with how that part happened. Although, I would’ve been okay with more as well.
  • Some of us liked the underlying message of seizing the day and taking life by the horns.
  • Most of us, if not all of us, loved that it’s set in Park City, Utah (about an hour from where we all live). This lead to a discussion about the authors. Most of us had no idea that Christina Hobbs (the Christina part of the duo) is local.
  • Some of us liked reading about the Christmas traditions Maelyn and her family/friends participate in each year. We liked that the story explored remembering why each tradition is important and not just going through the motions because that’s what’s always been done.

Even though IN A HOLIDAZE is mostly fluffy romance, we had a pretty good discussion. Next year, we want to find a Christmas murder mystery to read for the ones in the group that aren’t big romance fans. If you have any suggestions, let me know in the comments.

The rest of our book club was our annual Christmas party. For the party, we each bring a treat to share if we can. This year we had a wide variety–one of our member’s homemade shortbread cookies which are everyone’s favorites, peppermint Oreo ice cream pie, gingerbread cookies, apples with dip, and chips with homemade seven-layer bean dip. It was all really yummy.

We also have a book exchange. We each bring a wrapped book, one of our favorite reads from the year, and then we play a white elephant type swapping game using dice. Once each book is unwrapped, which took about 35 minutes for that to happen, we each roll the dice once more until ending on the last person who unwrapped a book. (If someone rolls “unwrap” during that last round, we let them roll again, steal someone’s book, or keep the one they have.)

For those interested in the dice game, here it is:

  • 2: Steal or stay the same
  • 3: Trade with someone wearing red
  • 4: Trade with the person on your right
  • 5: Pass once to the left
  • 6: Pass twice to the right
  • 7: Unwrap
  • 8: Pass twice to the left
  • 9: Pass once to the right
  • 10: Unwrap
  • 11: Trade with someone wearing green
  • 12: Steal or stay the same

We had quite a few awesome books up for grabs. I would’ve been happy with any of them. I brought A RIVER ENCHANTED by Rebecca Ross and I ended up with PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION by Emily Henry, which I’m very excited to read. The other books up for grabs were:

  • THE MEASURE by Nikki Erlick
  • RESCUE by Jennifer A. Nielsen
  • THE LAST HOUSE ON NEEDLESS STREET by Catriona Ward
  • I MUST BETRAY YOU by Ruta Sepetys
  • THE STORIED LIFE OF AJ FIKRY by Gabrielle Zevin
  • CRAVE by Tracy Wolff
  • BETTER THAN THE MOVIES by Lynn Painter
  • THE PASSION OF DOLSSA by Julie Berry
  • THE DARK DESCENT OF ELIZABETH FRANKENSTEIN by Kiersten White

Next month, we’re reading MY GRANDMOTHER ASKED ME TO TELL YOU SHE’S SORRY by Frederik Backman. I’m excited to read another book by him since I adored ANXIOUS PEOPLE earlier this year.

Anyway, have you read IN A HOLIDAZE? If so, what do you think about my book club’s discussion about it?

About Jenni Elyse


Hi, I'm Jenni. I’m an eclectic reader. I mostly read fiction and I favor fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thrillers, and romance. The more kissing in a book the better!
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10 replies
    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      I hope you enjoyed IN A HOLIDAZE and that the fluffiness helps do the lightening you want. I’ve heard such great things about AJ Fikry. I wanted that book the most, but I’m glad I got the one I did. 😀

  3. Louise Hallett
    Louise Hallett says:

    I’ve not read this one though I do love a seasonal romance so will see if it’s available at my library. Yay for getting to meet up in person with your book club!

  4. Kami
    Kami says:

    Nice recap! I can’t believe you remembered so much from book club! I love our December book club traditions.

    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      Thanks, Kami! 😀 I usually write up my post as soon as I get home or the very next morning so it’s all fresh in my mind. Our traditions are awesome! 😀

    • Jenni Elyse
      Jenni Elyse says:

      Thanks! 😀 I’m very blessed to have such an awesome book club. And, I’m with you, I like fluffy. 😀 There’s too much sadness, darkness, and hardship in the world and fluffy romances help make living in that more bearable.

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