The Little Liar (& More Dec. Reads)
I finished reading five books during the month of December, including Mitch Albom’s The Little Liar . Read on for my impressions of each title.
The 5 Books I Read in December
Anti-Cancer by David Servan-Schreiber
In Dr. David Servan-Screiber’s deeply personal book, Anti-Cancer, the author traces his struggle with cancer through a surprise diagnosis, standard course of treatment, later relapse, subsequent lifestyle change, and ongoing recovery.
Of particular interest to me was the chapter on anti-cancer foods, as it confirmed that many of the diet and exercise changes I made after my own diagnosis have historically proven helpful & effective in fighting against metastatic tumors.
However, be warned: this book isn’t written from a Christian perspective, so much of its discussion feels hollow and depressing. Eventually, we’ll all die and face our Maker. Any response to cancer that doesn’t take that fact into account seems, to me, like a missed opportunity.
The Little Liar by Mitch Albom
Mitch Albom’s The Little Liar was voted onto our family reading list this year. One of my adult daughters suggested it, but I knew nothing about the story before listening to the audiobook with my husband last month.
We both found it powerfully moving.
Albom tells the poignant story of a Jewish family from Greece, split apart by the Nazis, and the lengths to which each family member goes to protect one another and survive the Holocaust — some, successfully; others, not.
Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens
I normally re-read A Christmas Carol every December — often aloud to my children — but this year I chose another Dickens classic instead: the third of five Christmas tales penned by this prolific author, Cricket on the Hearth.
In this short work, Dickens tells the story of a loving and cheerful household occupied by a faithful old carrier named John Peerybingle, his beautiful and vivacious young wife, Dot, their baby boy, and a nanny.
Can the happiness they seemingly share weather the secrets and suspicions that arrive, unbidden, on their doorstep?
The Holy Bible
I try to read through the Bible cover-to-cover every year and normally follow a One-Year Bible Reading Plan to help me do that. I finished my 2025 reading last week and got an early start on my 2026 read-through.
As you’ll undoubtedly notice if you subscribe for long, I’m an avid bookworm. But the most impactful book I’ve ever read is God’s Holy Word. My favorite translation: NASB. The one pictured is currently on sale.
Even if you never crack any of the other books I talk about on my blog or in my newsletters, I’d encourage you to spend time daily reading this one and praying for God to help you understand and apply what you read.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat
If you have ever cooked at all and would like to learn to do so better, Samin Nosrat’s bestseller, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat, deserves a spot on your reading list.
Nosrat has revolutionized the way I approach meal prep. Hers is not so much a recipe book as it is a simple explanation of the elements that make food taste good — salt, fat, acid, and heat — and how to combine them for maximal impact on flavor.
Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is an interesting, informative, and enjoyable read (and one our entire family has been passing around). Highly recommended.
Do you love to read as much as we do? I’ve gathered all my best resources for bibliophiles onto this page, or you can read more of my book reviews by following this link .
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