The holidays come with a little extra time on the couch, slower mornings, long flights home and nights where the only thing on the agenda is relaxation. It’s the perfect season to grab a blanket, pour yourself something warm and dive into a good book.
This month’s Tri Delta Reads is packed with stories and wisdom from our very own sisters—books that inspire, entertain and remind us just how much talent is in our sisterhood. From mindset to dating chaos, here’s what to add to your holiday reading list.
BOOK FEATURES
“Finding Your True Path: Adventure Awaits”
Kristin Patterson Lenz, Coe
If you’re craving clarity, direction or the spark to finally chase the dream that’s been sitting in the back of your mind, this book delivers. Kristin gives you practical steps, honest encouragement and the permission to build a life that actually energizes you.
Drawing from her experience building the lifestyle brand White Arrows Home, Kristin walks readers through uncovering their passions, making decisions with confidence, connecting with others in meaningful ways and taking real steps toward a more fulfilling life. It’s part motivation, part strategy guide—perfect for anyone entering a new season or feeling stuck.
Kristin is a writer, podcaster, speaker and shop owner whose brick-and-mortar store White Arrows Home earned national recognition with a Retailer of Excellence Award in 2023. She’s passionate about helping women find direction and connection in their lives. Kristin and her husband live in the Northwoods of Wisconsin with their five children.
“Off Script”
Erin Carlman, Southern Methodist
This book is for the romance lover who wants something sweet, fun, emotional and bingeable. If you’re a sucker for chemistry, late-night phone calls and world-colliding love stories, you’ll tear through this one.
Hollywood actor Ben Sutton isn’t looking for love—until a misdialed phone call introduces him to Carlisle Matthews, a southern girl chasing a fresh start in Los Angeles. Their connection grows through texts, calls and secret dates, but when Ben’s studio hands down a major demand before his film tour, the couple has to decide whether their love can survive the pressures of fame.
After years in neuropsychology and at home raising her daughters, Erin now devotes her time to writing the characters who live in her imagination. She lives on the Texas coast with her husband, their two daughters and their pup, known affectionately as “Damnit Dolly.” She loves cooking, reading, Wordle and wine—not always in that order.
“Everything Is an Event: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Memorable Occasions for Today’s Lifestyle”
Marinda Freeman, Franklin
If planning a gathering makes your stomach drop, this book will be your new best friend. Marinda takes the overwhelm out of hosting and replaces it with confidence, clarity and actual joy. Yes—you can enjoy your own event!
Marinda breaks down the art of event planning into 15 easy-to-follow principles. With more than 130 photos and illustrations, timelines, recipes and real-world tips, she shows readers how to create events that feel thoughtful, personal and fun, all without the stress.
A seasoned event designer known for crafting experiences that foster connection and inspiration, Marinda is also a licensed spiritual counselor and the author of “The Grief Train: A Healing Journey of Love, Loss and Renewal.” Originally from the Midwest and having lived in New York, she now lives in Marin County, California, and is an active member of her local Tri Delta alumnae chapter.
“Ghosts, Texts and Exes: Navigating the Dating Circus”
Rocci Jackson, Pacific
A hilariously raw, unfiltered guide to the highs, lows and “WTF” moments of modern dating. From ghosting and bad profile pics to overconfident texters and disastrous first dates, this book dives headfirst into the madness—armed with sass, sarcasm and painfully relatable stories. Rocci is here to tell you the truth about dating, to make you laugh at the absurdity of it all and to remind you that whether you find “the one” or not, you are already whole. But it’s not just about dating; it’s about owning your confidence, embracing your authenticity and refusing to let the chaos break you. Whether you’re swiping for love or just here for the drama, this book will have you laughing, cringing and realizing that in the end, we’re all in this mess together.
Rocci is a storyteller with a background in mental health, blending honesty with humor as she explores dating, connection and self-growth. A proud Tri Delta alumna and active book club organizer, she believes in community, empowerment and laughing at yourself when needed. She lives on the California coast with her partner Shawn, her family and a strong support system that fuels her writing.
“Pearls of Wisdom: Discovering the Extraordinary in the Ordinary”
Julie Simpson Hollingsworth, Delta State
If you love southern storytelling, faith-based wisdom and finding deeper meaning in everyday moments, this one is for you! Julie uses elements of her southern upbringing—sweet tea afternoons, church gatherings, family memories, etc.—to show how ordinary experiences become “pearls” shaped by God’s grace. Through life’s grit and beauty, she reminds readers that each moment can teach, guide and connect us.
Oh, sugar, life in the South isn’t just lived—it’s savored, steeped and strung together like a necklace of cherished memories and hard-earned truths. In “Pearls of Wisdom,” southern belle Julie Hollingsworth invites you to take a seat on the porch and discover how life’s ordinary days can become extraordinary.
Julie is a Mississippi-born storyteller with decades of experience in marketing, communications and ministry. She’s earned more than 50 awards for her professional work, but her proudest title is “Mom of the Year,” gifted to her by her daughter on a surprise radio show. When she’s not teaching Bible study or speaking, she’s tending her flower beds, traveling with her daughter or wrangling her four Labradors.
Happy Reading!