Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah!
Get ready, we’re going into the new year with candles and jelly donuts and latkes and it’s going to be a party!
Like last year, I’ve put together eight care packages designed to make your winter more fun, mellow, warm, and entertaining.
Just in time for the beginning of 2026!
First: my Hanukkah wishes for you tonight and for the next eight: may each candle lit lead to another and another, until we have all connected to bathe the world in light and warmth. May there be peace in our lifetime.
Now, let’s talk about what’s in the care packages. I used to be super great at care packages because my kids went to sleepaway camp – not the type of camp where the care packages included Gucci bags and Loro Piana slippers wrapped in an Hermes scarf or anything – and I LOVED putting them together.
I still sort of send care packages now that they’re in college because I have to send them things pretty regularly, but that’s a small item in a bubble mailer. This is a whole ass box.
So what’s in the care package?
I’m not telling!
Well, I’ll share some details so you know what to expect, but some of it will be a surprise. It might rhyme with “schmeggo.”
In keeping with my wishes for all of you to have a cozy and warm 2026, the care packages will include:
- things that are fuzzy
- things that are warm
- things that are soothing
- things that are fizzy
- things that are indulgent
- things that are fun!
And, like last year, I reached out to folks I know in publishing, and have assorted books, of course! There will be several books in each package, including some major titles from this year. And maybe an ARC or two (shhh!).
This is a way for me to thank you for being part of yet another lovely year here at SBTB. We are still here, and it’s because of you hanging out with us each day. It’s been a big year, and we’re looking forward to more mayhem and silliness in 2026!
SO, ready to enter to win?
To enter, please comment and tell us what book (or recommendation of any sort!) that you found at SBTB that you most enjoyed?
It doesn’t have to be a 2024 book, of course. Any book that you haven’t read is a new book! But what did you discover this year at SBTB that you really liked?
Standard disclaimers apply: We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to international residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and ready to be warm and cozy. May cause increased feelings of security, warmth, and delight.
Comments will close 21 December 2025 at or near 11:59am ET, and winners will be announced shortly afterward. Packages will be shipped out in January 2026.
Thank you to the indefatigable Kristen Dwyer of LeoPR for their generosity!
Good luck, Happy Hanukkah, and thank you for being part of Smart Bitches! May you have a lovely holiday, and for everyone, a peaceful new year.
Congrats to our winners! If your comment was selected, you’ll have an email in your inbox from me. Congratulations and thank you for making this year’s care package extravaganza so much fun!
- Libby
- Eleine
- Becky
- lorenet335
- EditChief
- Kaelie C.
- Darlynne
- Heather L
It was many years ago, but I don’t know if I would have found Loretta Chase’s books without SATB. Lord of Scoundrels and Mr. Impossible are two of my favorites!
Happy Hanukkah! Many thanks to SBTB for introducing me to the steamy, sweet and hilarious books of Lisa Henry and Sarah Honey. This year’s standout was their Road Trip.
So, so many. If I had to pick my favorites, they would have to be Mariana Zapata and Murderbot.
SBTB led me to the delightful Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots.
In a bit of a twist, I’m gonna go with a recommendation from the SBTB comment section for the If Books Could Kill podcast
Oh, so many – but let’s go with the Celia Lake books.
All Systems Red: The Murderbot Diaries. I would’ve never picked up this book (or series) on my own. It was truly a delightful read. My all time favorite historical romance recommendation is Tessa Dare’s A Week to be Wicked. What a fun book and it’s a comfort reread.
Happy Hanukkah! I’ve enjoyed so many book recommendations from SBTB reviewers and readers. Murderbot, Celia Lake, Anne Bishop’s “The Others” and Mimi Matthews, to name just a few. I trust the recommendations I get from all of you!! Thank you!
Hi! This year, I read all of Lyla Sage’s books. I think I started with Wild and Wrangled, but your rec got me. I wouldn’t have even known about them if it wasn’t for SBTB!! Thank you for putting lots of books on my radar and my TBR pile!
Chag chanuka sameach!
Right now I’m listening to At First Spite and it’s delightful and full of my catnip: forced proximity and he falls fast/first/HARD.
I’ve gotten so many great recommendations, I would have to say Murderbot, Olivia Dade and Mimi Matthews. Thank you!
I’ve been in a book slump this past year (for various reasons) and I’ve found myself instead returning to my keeper shelf and rereading old favorites. This includes several writers I’ve discovered here, including Lucy Parker, Cara Bastone, Abby Jimenez, Sarina Bowen. Bastone’s new release “Promise Me Sunshine” was one 2025 release that I did read (twice).
Thank you for all you do, and have a lovely season of lights.
Happy Hanukkah! I found Ali Hazelwood through recommendations on here. She’s my favorite.
Happy Hanukkah!!
For me the best recommendation has been the Murderbot books. It would have taken me much longer to read them if they weren’t recommended by a community of book lovers I trust.
I found Sophie Kim’s The God and the Gumiho (and the sequel) through y’all. I loved both of those books!
Happy Hanukkah! I was delighted to find The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year in a little free library, because I read about it here and it sounded right up my alley! And what a most wonderful time of the year it is to appreciate Smart Bitches and the cozy care packages. Thanks for all you do all year long!
Happy Chanukah, I have ignored Ali Hazelwood for years but Bride intrigued me thanks to you.
The Spellshop – a lovely story that I have recommended multiple times to friends seeking a cozy, warm read.
Happy Hanukkah!! For me, I will always be grateful for Smart Bitches introducing me to Jennifer Crusie… I had never heard of her until y’all were raving about Bet Me and her others, and it led me down a path of reading delight and to so many other authors as well.
I’ll always be grateful for you all. 🙂
I found a lot of good book recommendations on the site. This year, the one that comes to mind is Local Custom in the Liaden Universe. I remember it because the series is primarily sci-fi. Happy Holidays!
Many books. The highlight is probably the Murderbot series, which has become a comfort read for me.
Happy Hannukah, Merry Christmas, or happy whatever holiday you practice!
Her Pretend Christmas Date by Jackie Lau. It’s everything that Catherine said it was! <3
It’s hard to pick one but I’ll go with Charming by Jade Linwood, just a delight and I really hope there’s a book 3 coming in that series. Happy Hanukkah!
One of the features I always appreciate here is The Rec League. I love that there is so much variety in romances. There is something for everyone. So many times I find books that I didn’t know I needed, for example, most recently on the Short Kings topic. So, thanks S. for asking the question!
This is an oldie, but Pregnesia. 😂 With everything going on I really wanted a mindless read and it was exactly what I needed in a book.
Many, many recommendations!
So many, but I wouldn’t have read Murderbot without the recs here!
The first one that comes to mind is The Seven Year Slip! I kept seeing it pop up and finally read it this year and loved it.
Happy Hanukkah! One of the first books I read because of SBTB was Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt and after reading it I immediately started from the first book in the series and read all the way through. What a delicious read. Thanks for all you do!
This sight introduced me to Ilona Andrews, and a reread of their works is currently getting me through these times.
Thank you!!
I just finished reading, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year, which was mentioned by y’all, and it was really fun!
I discovered Lynn Painter from SBTB this year. One of my new favs
I will always and forever be grateful for Lord of the Scoundrels. The recommendation was peak.
So many good books & authors come to mind, but three of my favorite I found on SBTB are Lucy Parker, Elle Kennedy & Kennedy Ryan. Happy Hannukah!
So many good books & authors come to mind, but three of my favorite I found on SBTB are Lucy Parker, Elle Kennedy & Kennedy Ryan. Happy Hannukah!
I don’t keep close track of where I get book recommendations, but I’m confident this site introduced me to most of my favorite historical romance authors over the years: Julie Anne Long, Tessa Dare, Courtney Milan and Kat Sebastian. Maybe KJ Charles too. More recently, Murderbot!!! 😍
This year I loved discovering Olivia Atwater through SBTN! Am forever grateful to have Mhaira MacFarlene too!
I used to read Mills and Boon(s) of yesteryear but had given up on them until I read your comments’ sections and Disco Dolly Deb’s posts. Now, I eagerly await various super angsty Harlequins and have a list of authors whose works I look out for. Thanks to DDD and the posters and commenters here!
Happy Hanukkah 🙂
My whole family needs to thank you for the recommendation of The Murderbot Diaries. I’ve never found a more relatable protagonist. After we devoured those books, we tackled her entire back catalog. Thank you!
Happy Hanukkah! I’ve discovered so many books through SBTB. This year, I’m so thankful to SBTB for introducing me to Lyla Sage and the Rebel Blue Ranch series.