Cozy Books for Winter Reading
“Well the weather outside is frightful, but my books are so delightful...”
Isn’t that how the song goes? Regardless, Winter is Reading Season with a capital “R”, and I’ve got a jolly list of books for you to snuggle up next to the fire with, whether you’re looking for cozy Christmas stories, meaningful memoirs, compelling classics, or a bingeable series you can “sleigh” all day.
‘Tis the Season…
Cozy Books for Winter Reading
Settle in and COzy Up
Turn on some Music for Sweater Weather or Songs for a Rainy Day, dish yourself up a little Rose Petal + Pistachio Chocolate or perhaps some Pretty Perfect Pumpkin Pie, and dive into the pages of one of these cozy books for Winter reading.
*NOTE: I am a proud affiliate of these books, and I do receive a small commission from each sale.
Cozy Christmas Stories
Holidays on Ice, by David Sedaris
Holidays on Ice is a light collection of short stories, some more humorous than others, but the over-all effect is merry and bright. The first piece, “SantaLand Diaries,” is my favorite Sedaris story, bar none, and its cynicism is positively refreshing at this time of year.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C.S. Lewis
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a magnificent adventure at any time of year. Still, there’s something about snuggling in when it’s cold and gray outside and reading about Christmas coming to the snow-bound world of Narnia that really takes you there.
Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
“That was a very happy breakfast though they didn’t get any of it. And when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.” I’d never minimize Little Women’s universal timelessness by categorizing it strictly as a “Christmas book.” Still, I can’t name a story that captures more completely the true spirit of Christmas.
Last Christmas in Paris, by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb
No book list feels complete to me without a nod to my favorite city in the world. Paris aside, though, this is an endearing read, and a seamless blend of fiction, history, epistle, romance, and war. Within just a few pages, it will have you enveloped like a warm blanket, and carry you through a story of friendship, emancipation, love, loss, tragedy, despair, hope, and yes, dreams of Paris.
Meaningful Memoirs
Long Life, by Mary Oliver
Though it’s a slim volume, Long Life may take the entire season to read, because each time you finish a page, you’ll find yourself yearning to return to reread it, just. one. more. time. (Or maybe that’s just me.) Mary Oliver is my favorite poet, and her prose is just as beautiful. Just as layered. Just as transformative.
Journal of a Solitude, by May Sarton
Not everyone can say, “Hey, I’m going to shut myself in a house for a really long time and write about watering my plants and my depression, and it’s going to be really beautiful and you will not want me to stop writing,” but May Sarton does exactly that in Journal of a Solitude. Introspective and intimate, this is the perfect book to comfort yourself with on a quiet day in January.
M Train, by Patti Smith
Patti Smith wrote a book about nothing and it’s everything. M Train is filled with dreams, detective shows, talismans, cats, constant travels, coffee, more coffee, missing things, memories, and miles and miles of lyrical Patti Smith prose. The kind of pages a reader wants to fall into and never return from.
Compelling Classics
Anna Karenina, by Leo Tolstoy
How do you write a “blurb” about a masterpiece? I haven’t figured that out yet, so I’m simply going to encourage you to read Anna Karenina. Do not be intimidated by its size or its Russianness. I promise: you can trust Tolstoy. If you give yourself over to him, he will carry you through one of the most sprawling and romantic adventures ever dreamt up. Indeed, when you turn the last page, you will feel as though you are awakening from a magnificent dream.
A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens
Of all Dickens’s work, A Christmas Carol may have seemed more fitting for this winter theme, but I’ve chosen A Tale of Two Cities for its warmth, which I am well aware is not a quality the writer is known for. Certainly, the story takes place in “the worst of times,” a period in European history tainted with hatred, violence, and vengeance. “The best of times,’ however, are found in the love and compassion which endure it all. A Tale of Two Cities is a slow burn, but by the last page, the flames roar.
Villette, by Charlotte Brontë
Lucy Snowe is certainly aptly named for the heroine of a “winter” novel, but that’s not why her story ended up on this list. Admittedly, Villette is not as easy a read as Jane Eyre. Lucy’s reticence as a narrator forces the reader to reach out further to engage with her; yet her depth of feeling and humor are compelling, and I defy anyone (well, anyone who likes Victorian fiction) to read 50 pages of Villette and then try to put it down. The truth is that against all odds, Villette surpasses Jane Eyre in its intimacy, layers, and heartrending love story.
Bingeable Book Series You Can “Sleigh” All Day
A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas
I began reading this series thinking I was diving into a silly story about sexy fairies, and while I was right about the sexy fairies, what I wasn’t expecting were the compelling characters, magnificent world, and engaging storytelling that throttled me through one 800-page book in two days. This is the series to pick up if you want to escape the stormy weather of the real world, into a kingdom of magic, danger, and romance.
Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon
Full disclosure: There is a high probability that when I recommend bingeing Outlander, I’m referring to the show. In fact, that is what I recommend, because not even the most imaginative reader could dream up a sexier vision of James Fraser than Sam Heughan portrays in the television adaptation. If you’re an adamant read-the-book-first type, though, get cracking on this series immediately. If you hurry, you’ll be melting under Jamie Fraser’s smoldering gaze before you realize your hands were cold.
The Jane Austen Collection
Ok, ok, ok, so this isn’t a “series.” Still, I’d be remiss if I didn’t at least suggest spending some winter months warming yourself by the light of Austen’s sun-drenched stories of family, friendship, and love. Each Jane Austen novel is a standalone masterpiece. As a collection, they deliver an ocean of sentences to swoon over, wit that keeps you on your toes, and love stories that are simultaneously realistic and utterly romantic. Why not dive deep?
Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling
You’ve most likely already read Harry Potter—if not, you have some explaining to do. Regardless, I can think of worse ways to pass the time than reliving one of the greatest heroic adventures of all time. If you’re doubtful it will be able to hold your attention a second time around, I dare you to pick it up again, and just try to put it down.
Your turn!
What are your favorite winter reads? Do you have any books to add to the list? Leave your suggestions in the comments. All us other bookworms would love to hear from you!