Novel Ideas: Winter picks from The Martin Group Book Club

Reading is fundamental to every task within an integrated communications firm—but it’s not always what any professional would refer to as “fun.”

Necessary? Yes. Instructional and always integral to a successful project or campaign? You bet. But enchanting, gleeful, and fantastical? Not always.

That’s why this October, our team at The Martin Group started our first-ever book club, with one novel selected every month to satiate the literary needs of our Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, and New York City staffers. That’s four offices full of voracious readers, ones who balance their expertise in account management, graphic design, and media buying with a love of multi-dimensional protagonists and lines of colorful dialogue. The creativity and artistic craftsmanship certainly inform our work, but diving into complex scenes or magical worlds also offers a much-needed respite from what can be a demanding day-to-day.

With the establishment of our agency’s inaugural book club, we now have an impressive stable of fiction aficionados with different tastes, from different backgrounds, and with (in some cases) exhausting lists of already-read books on Goodreads. This means we have all types of different books we call favorites, and even more reasons for our specific selections.

As we creep toward prime reading season, some of our club members would like to pass on book recommendations perfect for the months ahead. Whether enjoyed aside a fireplace, curled under a blanket, or while shivering in the bleachers of your kid’s hockey practice, each title has the potential to provide a break from your daily grind, warm your soul, and reintroduce you to the joy beautiful writing can bring.

Happy reading, and here you go:

The reader: Caitlin Tracy

The read: The Spectacular by Fiona Davis

Fiona Davis is a historical fiction writer who always centers her novels on a major landmark or event in New York City history. This selection concentrates on a young woman who enters Radio City Music Hall as a dancer, hoping to join the Rockettes. (Nothing says Christmas more than the Rockettes’ Christmas show, right?) Not only does this story have interesting family dynamics, time jumps, and romance, but you will also learn about the Big Apple Bomber. Important to remember this is a historical fiction story, centering this fictional character’s life story and experiences around real events and iconic NYC landmarks.

And if this isn’t your cup of tea, be patient. Davis has a new novel due for release on January 7, 2025.

Find it here.

The reader: Laura Werling

The read: The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna

This book feels like a warm fireplace and a hot beverage, and is the perfect getaway from reality. The book’s protagonist, Mika Moon, is one of the few remaining witches in Britain. To combat her loneliness and isolation, she decides to share videos of herself pretending to be a witch—but doesn’t expect anyone to take her seriously. When someone does—and notices the magic on the videos is real—Mika receives an unexpected invitation to travel to the mystical Nowhere House to teach three young witches how to use their magic.

It’s a heartwarming story about finding kinship, love, and purpose where you least expect it; and I loved this book because it was a welcomed departure from the typical murder mysteries and serious subjects currently lining store shelves.  It’s nice to just enjoy the fantasy of it, and take a little break from the real world.

(Also, I enjoyed it so much that I read it twice.)

Find it here.

The reader: Susan Zeigler

The read: Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

This book quickly became a surprise favorite for me this year, thanks to the buzz on BookTok. It follows Win and Bo as they navigate the challenges of starting an unexpected family while building new relationships. The story highlights the importance of healthy communication and has a warm, cozy vibe with perfectly imperfect characters facing everyday struggles. Their swoon-worthy romance is filled with sweet banter and playful teasing, and the friendships add depth and charm to the entire story.

It’s the perfect read for curling up with this winter!

Find it here.

The reader: Kristina Robinson

The read: House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune

This work is not my typical read by any means, but now, it is easily one of my favorites. It is a lighthearted read with a wholesome story—a noted departure from the battle sequences and morally gray characters of my typical read—and kept me smiling, sobbing, and laughing out loud with every turn of the page. Klune has a brilliant way of bringing this story to life. He masterfully balances fun and whimsy with themes of acceptance, opening your heart, finding a family, and what it means to be home; and his characters are well-developed, with each having their own distinct voice and personality.

I found myself rooting for them throughout the book in moments both big and small, especially the protagonist, Linus Baker. The plot’s pacing takes its time in the beginning, but Klune has a wonderful way of storytelling that keeps things exciting. By the end of the book, I had grown very attached to everyone at the Marsyas Island Orphanage. My heartstrings tugged, and now, I have a newfound appreciation for buttons.

(Get the book; you’ll see. It gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.)

Find it here.

The reader: Chase Martin

The read: Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr

A finalist for the National Book Award in 2021, this is a captivating follow-up to the author’s Pulitzer Prize-winner, All the Light We Cannot See. The intriguing teaser at the end of that novel piqued my interest, and I’m glad I picked up this one, too. Spanning an intricate narrative across time, it expertly combines a historical foundation with present-day and dystopian future elements. Doerr wonderfully develops multiple main characters, beautifully weaving their stories together to reach a satisfying conclusion.

I’m eager to explore more of his work, and I now consider myself an Anthony Doerr fan. Read this one, and you’ll become one, too. 

Find it here.

The reader: Bria Meredith

The read: The Women by Kristin Hannah

This is a historical fiction novel that boasts significant emotional depth in its narrative and within the relationships between its characters. Hannah portrays how women can be heroes, tackling both personal struggles and societal challenges along the way. Following her journey, the enjoyably digestible story provides insight into friendship, sacrifice, and the bonds that unite women, along with lively scenes to keep your attention as you cozy up next to your roaring fireplace.

Grab some hot cocoa and get ready to feel ALL the feels!

Find it here.

The reader: Bayley Ward

The read: Beach Read by Emily Henry

This book is a great romance novel, and good news: it takes place in much warmer months, as opposed to the months you’ll be reading. It follows the lives of two writers, who happen to cross paths while trying to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life to help ease writer’s block. It reminds me of a warm summer night on the beach, but one with plenty of twists and turns throughout the evening. And page by page, I was hooked.

Whether I am on the beach or stuck inside on a snowy day in WNY, Emily Henry’s books are filled with a little bit of everything and are perfect for a vacation—no matter how warm or cold it is. And whether this selection or others in her canon, they’re all good beach reads. No pun intended.

(Well, maybe a little pun.)

Find it here.

The reader: Margaret Niederpruem

The read: Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

Is this a girly rom com? Yes—but it has good dialogue, loveable characters, and a twist of an ending you will not see coming. This story follows Elliot and Macey, who started out as best friends sharing their love of books, then eventually become sweethearts. What I love most about this book is that the characters are avid readers, so while they’re snuggled up enjoying their books, you feel like you’re right there alongside them.

It’s a comfortable read that pairs perfectly with the season—and a warm cup of whatever you’re into.

Find it here.

To learn more about the experience, hobbies, and tastes of The Martin Group, click here.