Each year on Christmas Eve, I spent all of the morning (and sometimes the afternoon) reading. I get all of the stressful stuff done ahead so that I can have that time to read. And this is a particularly fun tradition for me this year as my Kobo Clara Colour just arrived! (Expect a review at some point in the new year once I’ve logged some pages.) This year I’ve chosen two books- one non-fiction (history), one fiction (YA mystery). I am fairly excited for both and will most likely have both read before the end of the year. Let’s get into my 2024 Christmas Eve Books!
2024 Christmas Eve Books
The Rebel Empresses: Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France, Power and Glamour in the Struggle for Europe, Nancy Goldstone (25 February 2025)
When they married Emperors Franz Joseph and Napoleon III, respectively, Elisabeth of Austria and Eugénie of France became two of the most famous women on the planet. Young and beautiful—becoming cultural and fashion icons of their time—they also played a pivotal role in ruling their realms during a tempestuous era characterized by unprecedented political and technological change.
Fearless, adventurous, and independent, Elisabeth and Eugénie represented a new kind of empress—one who rebelled against tradition and anticipated and embraced modern values. Yet both women endured hardship in their private and public lives. Elisabeth was plagued by a mother-in-law who snatched her infant children away and undermined her authority at court. Eugénie’s husband was an infamous philanderer who could not match the military prowess of his namesake. Between them, Elisabeth and Eugénie were personally involved in every major international confrontation in their turbulent century, which witnessed thrilling technological advances as well as revolutions, assassinations, and wars.
With her characteristic jump-off-the-page writing and in-depth research, Nancy Goldstone brings to life these two remarkable women, as Europe goes through the convulsions that led up to the international landscape we recognize today.
Why I Want to Read This…
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette for an eARC of this book- I’ve been waiting for this for months and I could not be more excited.
I have loved all of Goldstone’s books that I have read. I think that she tackles dual and group biographies well, and her writing style and organisation tends to make you reflect more. She is thorough in her research and provides a great bibliography (though you may not count it as a great thing that I walk away with more books to read).
I’m fascinated by both Eugenie and Sisi, so I will most likely be cracking this open first thing on Christmas Eve.
Death at Morning House, Maureen Johnson
The fire wasn’t Marlowe Wexler’s fault. Dates should be hot, but not hot enough to warrant literal firefighters. Akilah, the girl Marlowe has been in love with for years, will never go out with her again. No one dates an accidental arsonist.
With her house-sitting career up in flames, it seems the universe owes Marlowe a new summer job, and that’s how she ends up at Morning House, a mansion built on an island in the 1920s and abandoned shortly thereafter. It’s easy enough, giving tours. Low risk of fire. High chance of getting bored talking about stained glass and nut cutlets and Prohibition.
Oh, and the deaths. Did anyone mention the deaths?
Maybe this job isn’t such a gift after all. Morning House has a horrific secret that’s been buried for decades, and now the person who brought her here is missing.
All it takes is one clue to set off a catastrophic chain of events. One small detail, just like a spark, could burn it all down—if someone doesn’t bury Marlowe first.
Why I Want to Read This…
I really enjoyed Johnson’s Truly Devious series, so I was happy to see that she had published a new novel this year. I’m finding that I am very much enjoying newer YA mysteries, they are evolving quickly. (In the past, I quite often found that YA books felt like 60% of a story- great bones, but not quite as much meat. However, they are getting longer, and I enjoy that!)
Johnson is a creative storyteller, and the premise has really grabbed me. Is it festive to read about death on Christmas? Well, I guess that depends on who you ask!
Want more mystery recommendations? Find my list here!
Merry Christmas Eve, friends!
Cheers,
The Historian
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