Ask a Literary Lady: Alone For the Holidays?

Dear Literary Lady,
My family won’t be able to get together for the holidays this year, so I’ll be spending it alone. Any suggestions for books to read when you’re missing your loved ones?
– L.Y., Atlanta, GA
Dear L.Y.,
I grew up far away from my family, so this is a question that I’m all too familiar with. There have been many holiday seasons where I’ve loaded up on books, curled up in my bed, and just hibernated until the holidays were over.
It’s hard to be surrounded by families when you’re not with your own, and the festivities of the holiday season can make you feel especially lonely. You don’t want to go out because the stores are either mobbed or closed. When you do make it out of your house, everything reminds you that you’re very much alone. You could spend the holidays with a friend’s family, but the thought of someone else’s crazy family is exhausting and makes you miss yours more.
So what’s the best thing to do? Stockpile books (and hot chocolate) and wait out the winter holidays.
In my experience, it’s important to get a wide variety of books to combat holiday moodiness. Sometimes you’re going to want a book that reminds you of home. Sometimes you’ll want a feel-good book about the holidays. Sometimes you’ll want to forget that it’s the holidays altogether. Sometimes you’ll want to be cheered up, and other times you’ll be craving a good cry. Make sure you get books for all those moments.
Here are some of my favorite books to read, and reread, whenever I’m alone for the holidays: