Holiday Reading Starts Here: Sixteen Last Minute Book Suggestions From Bronx River Books
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“In the winter she curls up around a good book and dreams away the cold.” – From Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch.
A good book is an ideal holiday gift. Not too expensive. Easy to wrap. Provides portable enjoyment on demand. The bibliolaters at Bronx River Books (37 Spencer Place in Scarsdale Village) have identified an eclectic assortment of fiction and nonfiction books that will charm and inform even the pickiest readers -- or brighten your own winter nights. 
The surprise bestseller of the year is surely The Correspondent by Virginia Evans, an epistolary novel in which the smart and feisty 73-year-old Sybil Van Antwerp writes to neighbors, relatives, and even famous strangers, revealing a life still expanding with curiosity and courage. Both sharp and uplifting, the novel explores the risks and rewards of telling other people’s stories as Sybil’s correspondence blurs into personal entanglements, offering a book-club-ready blend of wit, emotional insight, and late-in-life revelation.
In 1929, Andrew Ross Sorkin (a Scarsdale High School alum and New York Times financial columnist) turns the catastrophe of the Great Stock Market Crash into gripping narrative nonfiction. 1929 illuminates the forces and policies that sent the U.S. economy over the cliff. An excellent gift for general readers, financial professionals, and anyone fascinated by how quickly the ground can shift under our feet.
Ian McEwan’s elegant new novel, What We Can Know, is a literary detective story that segues back and forth between 2014 and 2119. Families fracture, England floods, science blurs into philosophy, and the limits of certainty haunt every relationship.
For the romance reader in your life, pick up Say You’ll Remember Me, the latest from Abby Jimenez. Samantha and Xavier share one spectacular date before life pulls them apart, and what follows is a tender, funny, deeply emotional portrait of two people fighting to keep love alive under difficult circumstances. Equal parts moving, hilarious, and sexy, it’s the perfect reminder of how love endures even when timing doesn’t cooperate.
Good Things, by Samin Nosrat (who earlier wrote Salt Fat Acid Heat), is the cookbook/memoir that everyone is asking for this season. It brings 
together more than 125 of her favorite recipes — the dishes she most loves to cook for herself and for friends.
Fantasy fans should pick up the latest from author Alix E. Harrow. In The Everlasting, an obsessive history professor travels back in time and is confronted with the object of his research, the legendary Una Everlasting. A complex and deeply moving tale of the weight of history, the influence of storytelling, and the power of love.
If watching the game together is a key part of your family’s holiday celebration, pick up Every Day Is Sunday. Author Ken Belson charts the NFL’s massive rise in prominence (and profit) by examining the roles of three central figures: Roger Goodell, Robert Kraft, and Jerry Jones. With discussions of everything from rule changes to the legalization of sports betting, this book is perfect for football fans and observers of American culture.
Who would have thought that a book about a woman who retreats to a small mouse-plagued convent in Australia would make the New York Times list of ten best books of 2025. Stone Yard Devotional, by Charlotte Wood, is a quietly luminous meditation on solitude, regret, faith, and the possibility of renewal—perfect for readers drawn to introspective, character-driven fiction. 
Could your marriage survive 118 days adrift in the Pacific on an inflatable life raft? In A Marriage at Sea, Sophie Elmhirst tells the true story of a British couple who attempt to save their faltering marriage by embarking on a long ocean voyage in a tiny sailboat. Suffice it to say, it’s not all smooth sailing.
Travel the dangerous streets of London in the pages of Dark Renaissance, Stephen Greenblatt’s new biography of Christopher Marlowe, Shakespeare’s hotheaded contemporary – the playwright of Tamburlaine and Dr. Faustus, a reveler, street fighter, heretic, and rumored spy, who was murdered in 1593 at age 29.
Malevolent “antimemes” feed on your memories – they are living black holes that consume the very thoughts that make you . . . you. How do you combat an enemy you can’t recall. It’s a task for the Antimemetics Division, o
f course. You’ll never forget reading There Is No Antimemetics Division, the science fiction/horror novel by the mysteriously pseudonymized author “qntm.” (Or just maybe you already have.)
In Breakneck, Dan Wang traces the high stakes race between China and the West to master the technologies that will shape the 21st century. A sample observation: China is an engineering state, relentlessly pursuing megaprojects, while the United States has become a lawyerly society, cautiously scrutinizing all technological change -- good and bad. Shortlisted for the Financial Times book of the year.
You might want to revisit a classic, Wuthering Heights by Charlotte Bronte, and, at last, internalize the meaning of the word “wuthering.” It’s the source of a ballyhooed film, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, scheduled to be released on February 13.
For younger readers, fans of Where’s Waldo will take delight in Find Vincent Van Gogh. It’s filled with fascinating art facts and lots of things to spot.
The Rose Field is the conclusion of Philip Pullman’s story of Lyra SilverTongue, which began in the Dark Materials series, one of the all-time great works of fantasy that has been charming young readers since 1995. Lyra answers the question “how to remain in a world filled with splendor, horror, greed, and my story.”
And then there’s Katherine Applegate, the author of The One and Only Ivan, who again delights her readers with Pocket Bear, the unofficial leader of Second Chances Home for the Tossed and Treasured, where stuffed animals are refurbished and given a fresh chance to be loved.
Bronx River Books wishes you a splendid new year filled with good reading – and fresh chances.
Messiah Time in Scarsdale
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The New Choral Society performed two sold out Messiah concerts for the 32nd year. (Photo credit: Tony Allen Photography)Hallelujah and Amen!
If you are a devout and regular reader of The New Yorker magazine like I am, you no doubt read in its December 8, 2025, issue in the “Goings On” column that “you may be able to hear faint chants of ‘Hallelujah’ starting to emerge from classical-music venues throughout the city. That’s right, it’s Messiah season.
“Catch Handel’s masterpiece at Carnegie Hall, with the Oratorio Society (Dec. 22); at Lincoln Center, with the New York Philharmonic (Dec.10-13) or National Chorale (Dec. 15); or at Trinity Church (Dec.10-12), St. Thomas Church (Dec. 11), St. Helena Church (Dec. 13), or St. Ann’s Church (Dec. 22). Probably any church, really. They (the New Yorkers) like this kind of thing,” The New Yorker said.
But Westchester New Choral Society fans, forget all that New Yok City stuff, especially if you were smart enough to purchase tickets ahead of time to Messiah Part I at either of the New Choral Society’s sold-out performance on Friday night, Dec. 5th or Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7th.
If you’re a Westchester person and a fan of the New Choral Society’s music like I am, you probably beat the New Yorkers and their musicians to the punch for a Messiah concert of your own in your own neighborhood. Congratulations! The Choral Society’s Messiah, Part I was as good as it’s ever been in the last 32 years. Dr. John T. King, founder of the New Choral Society (NCS) in 1994 and always the Artistic Director and Conductor for all those years and his singers and orchestra, did it again for both 2025 performances. First class indeed, again!
As usual, all four soloists were excellent and on point. They were Véronique Filloux, Soprano; Hannah Jones, Mezzo-Soprano; Angel Raii Gomez, Tenor, and Ben Strong, Bass-Baritone. Their bios are impressive, and I am sure you’ll be hearing more about them in the future. It was difficult to pick a favorite, so I didn’t. Jones, Gomez and Strong appeared by kind permission of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program of the Metropolitan Opera.
Dr. John T. King backstage with soloists Véronique Filloux, Ben Strong, Angel Raii Gomez, and Hannah Jones. (Photo Credit: Tony Allen Photography)
As the concerts progressed, it was obvious that hard work in rehearsals, dedication and professionalism had prevailed. The audiences responded by singing along at the end of each recital and stomped their feet while ushering in a “BRAVO” to salute the performances.
In addition, there were some side bars to report.
They included: (1) Amazingly, 6 of the 23 original NCS members performed with the chorus, including Bonnie Gould who came out of retirement for Sunday’s performance; (2) Sopranos Anita Kaplan and Angela Nally singing in their final NCS performances who have sung with the group for 30 and 32 years respectively; (3) Debra Hess traveling once again from Athens, GA, to sing the alto part in both performances; (4) Una Tone, Concertmaster, back from her professional violin work on Broadway, to sit in her expected Violin 1 spot; (5) The chorus sitting in a new arrangement where the soprano and bass sections were mixed together on the left and the alto and tenor sections were mixed together on the right; (6) Photographer Tony Allen quietly roaming the sanctuary to get special shots, and (7) Soprano Dorothy Kroenlein, another NCS original, smiling throughout both performances.
Dr. John T. King with singers Anita Kaplan and Angela Nally who are retiring from the chorus after 30 and 32 years respectively. (Photo credit: Justin O'Leary)
Also important to note, as mentioned in the program, NCS has launched a “Partners in Music” program where it records select live concert performances to share with partner senior residences whose residents can’t easily attend in-person. The first partners are The Osborn in Rye and Kendal on Hudson in Sleepy Hollow.
20th Annual Have a Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive Luncheon
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Scarsdale resident and Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) Board member Linda Plattus hosted her 20th annual luncheon, along with WJCS Board Members Sarah Kayle and Nina Ross; NextGen Council Members Yael Friedland and Samantha Stavis; and Host Committee Michelle Dinenberg, Poornima Eber, Allison Friedland, Fara Friedman, Jennifer Galeon, Jessica Levinson, Jessica Eckhaus Modell, and Robin Silk on November 19, 2025.
Luncheon guest brought toys, games, and gift cards that will be distributed to WJCS clients who live in under-resourced communities. For many of these families in need, these toys will be the only gift they are able to give their children this season. Over 1,000 gifts have been committed to the drive to date.
Guests heard from WJCS Board President William Shirley, Chief Executive Officer Seth Diamond, Assistant Executive Director of Children, Youth, and Families Katrina Schermerhorn, and Director of Family Matters Carolyn Murphy about the breadth and depth of WJCS's programs and services that improve the lives of thousands of Westchester residents each year.
The floral centerpiece was donated by House of Flowers in Mamaroneck, and cookies and cakes were donated by Martine’s Fine Bake Shop in Scarsdale. Donations to the WJCS Have a Heart for the Holidays Gift Drive can be made here.
And They're Back! Class of 1970 Celebrates 55th Reunion
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75 classmates and spouses of the Scarsdale High School Class of 1970 enjoyed a celebration of their 55th reunion on October 10 and 11, 2025. Alumni planned a terrific weekend filled with activities at the Edith Macy Center in Briarcliff Manor. First, some visited their elementary schools, then laughed and hugged and enjoyed rekindling old friendships.
Submitted by Karen Milnes of Ashville, North Carolina.
Community Leaders and Supporters Gather at Hoff-Barthelson to Celebrate Music and Young Talent
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NY State Senator Shelly Mayer, Meera Chari, HBMS Executive Director Gabriella Sanna, Ariana Thomas, and Scarsdale Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg. Photo by Steven Schnur.Hoff-Barthelson Music School welcomed New York State Senator Shelly Mayer, Scarsdale Deputy Mayor Dara Gruenberg, and other supporters of the School for a festive afternoon of music, cocktails, and conversation celebrating HBMS students and the vibrant community that sustains them.
The event featured outstanding performances by HBMS high school seniors Meera Chari (cello) and Ariana Thomas (piano), whose artistry and dedication embody Hoff-Barthelson’s mission to inspire excellence and foster a lifelong love of music.
“We are deeply grateful for the partnership and support of our community,” said Gabriella Sanna, Executive Director of Hoff-Barthelson Music School. “It is through this shared commitment that our students are able to grow as musicians and as confident, creative individuals. Their success reflects the spirit of collaboration that defines Hoff-Barthelson.”
Dana Matsushita, Chair of the HBMS Board of Trustees, added, “Hoff-Barthelson’s strength lies in the extraordinary network of families, faculty, alumni, and friends who believe in the transformative power of music education. It was wonderful to see so many supporters come together to celebrate our students and reaffirm the School’s vital role in the cultural life of our community.”
