11 Books to Read during the Winter
Hello gorgeous bookworms! Winter has many of us divided - on one hand there’s the freezing weather, the dark mornings and evenings but on the other hand, it’s an excuse to buy that new winter coat you’ve been eyeing up, to cancel those plans and stay in. But I think we can all agree on one thing - ‘tis the season to READ!
I have put together 11 winter books to get you in the mood this season, that promises to bring you a little thrill, warmth, and wonder to your winter nights. From a magical Christmas thriller to enemies-to-lovers fantasy. Whether you’re wrapped up in a blanket by the fire, sipping on mulled wine or watching the snow fall outside, winter is the perfect time to dive into stories that mirror the magic, mystery and sometimes the quiet solitude of these chilly months.
I couldn’t write this and not include this classic, could I? For many of us it’s more than just a tale, it’s a cherished memory of shared readings with family, cosy afternoons spent lost in the pages and the magic of imagination igniting our young minds.
I’m sure you know the story but let me remind you - remember the thrill of discovering a hidden door that leads to a world filled with talking animals, epic battles and an unforgettable winter? The Pevensie siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy - step through the wardrobe into Narnia, where they find a country buried under the evil enchantment of the White Witch. When they meet the Lion Aslan, they realise they’ve been called to a great adventure and bravely join the battle to free Narnia from the Witch’s sinister spell.
Jump through the portal to nostalgia, a vessel of memories waiting to be revisited. This is a perfect winter book to transport you back to a place where the spirit of adventure lives on and let the magic of Narnia light up your winter days.
Forget cosying up by the fire, heat things up with this hilarious twisted thriller! This delightful dark comedy will have you laughing and wincing at every turn of the page.
Christmas is all about lists. To do lists. Shopping list. Lists to bloody Santa. And doesn’t Anna Johnson know it. Waking up on Christmas Eve after the annual Johnson party, she’s hungover, exhausted and really sick and tired of Christmas already. All she wants to do is tick off the last things on her endless to do list and sit down with a large glass of wine but that is not going to happen as a mysterious murder in her home has occurred.
So if you’re in the mood for some holiday ‘cheer’ with a heaping side of sarcasm and mayhem, this is the perfect winter read for you. Because nothing says ‘Happy Christmas’ like a bit of murder, some scandal and a good excuse to lock yourself away until the decorations come down.
This isn’t just a book, it’s an experience - a groundbreaking novel that’s both breathtaking and utterly immersive.
It is set in a world that faces devastating, world-shacking earthquakes and climate catastrophes, known as ‘seasons’ that can last for centuries. Imagine a perpetual winter where the earth itself is your enemy. The story follows three women - Essun, Damaya and Syenite - who each harbour hidden, powerful abilities to control the earth. These women’s paths intertwine in unexpected ways, revealing hidden histories and the truths of a world designed to control and suppress those who are different.
This winter, escape to a world where the stakes are as fierce as the cold itself. This intricately woven fantasy novel is a winter read you won’t want to put down.
This book is a perfect mix of festive romance, comedy and a touch of Groundhog Day.
It’s the most wonderful time of year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions. But perhaps worse of all, this is the last Christmas she’ll be at her favourite place in the world - the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family spent every Christmas since she was born. As she leaves this place for the final time, she sends out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe, the next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Maelyn wakes up, she’s on a plane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again.
While this book is a romance, it’s also about self-discovery. It reminds us that sometimes the real magic of the season is learning to trust ourselves, follow our hearts and break old patterns. You are going to want to add this winter romance to your collection.
Want a book to trap your soul from beginning to end? Then indulge yourself in this beautiful, moving and emotive story.
A young woman makes a bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue and her dazzling adventures across centuries and continents, across history and art, as she learns how far she will go to leave her marks on the world. But everything changes, nearly 300 years later when she meets a young man in a bookshop and he remembers her name.
The irony of Addie’s story - being unforgettable yet forgotten - is that this novel will stay with long after you close it. Much like winter’s last snowfall, it’s a story that lingers, leaving traces of itself in your heart and mind. Do yourself a favour and add this your list of winter reads - you will not be disappointed.
This winter, if your idea of a cosy escape includes dark secrets, unpredictable twists and a few audible gasps then add this book to your winter reading list.
Simon and Vickey could’t seem more of a wealthy Chicago couple with a stable, if unexciting, marriage. But when a beautiful socialite is found hanging in a mansion in a nearby suburb, Simon and Vicky’s complex web of secrets begins to unravel. Just when you think you’ve figured it out, Ellis pulls the rug out from under you.
This isn’t your average mystery, it’s a complex blend of psychological mind games and suspenseful revelations. Settle in and be prepared to questions every character’s intentions.
Here’s a fun murderous little tale for you lovely people, one that will make you think twice about cosy holiday gatherings and trust no one at the Christmas table.
When Ashley Smith - a bright-eyed but lonely American studying in London - is invited to spend Christmas with her classmates family at their Cotwolds Manor House. But this isn’t your typical heartwarming Christmas gathering. She becomes entangled in the family’s dark history, uncovering secrets that suggest her friend’s invitation wasn’t as innocent as it seemed.
So if you’re searching for books for the winter that balance cosy charm with a sinister undertone, make room on your shelf for this one.
Winter is nearly upon us and what better time to submerge yourself into a wintery tale of forbidden love, fierce loyalty and survival against all odds. This winter romance is definitely on my TBR!
This dark romantic fantasy follows Rune as on one night her life changes forever. In the aftermath of a devastating revolution, Rune and her fellow witches have diminished from powerful rulers to outcasts ruthlessly hunted due to their waning magic and Rune must hide what she is. Rune finds herself drawn to Gideon - a notorious and unforgiving witch hunter. But does Rune end up falling for Gideon?
Ciccarelli masterfully builds romance between characters with layers of tension and uncertainty, balancing moments of warmth and vulnerability with the ever-present danger surrounding Rune. This novel is packed with action but also a love story that feels inevitable yet impossible and one that will linger with you like a haunting melody long after the final page.
‘Tis the season for…murder? If your winter reading list needs a little crime blended with some Christmas spirit then get your hands on this clever ‘whodunit’ that has a healthy dose of mystery.
In the picturesque village of Hampton, Daniel Clement and his mother are joined by the residents to drink, eat and be merry. The holidays should be a time of joy but when a guest ends up dead under the mistletoe at the party, the festivities take a darker turn. Can Daniel and the detective solve the crime and catch the Christmas killer?
This is perfect wintery read if you’re looking for something quick or even a palate cleanser but will still leave you with a satisfying chill down your spine and a craving for more.
Looking for a short but gripping book this winter? I present you ‘The Party’ by Tessa Hadley! This story is beautifully crafted, both cosy and unsettling, it will keep you turning the pages.
An irresistible novella about two sisters and a night that changes everything, from the master chronicler of our heart’s hidden desires. The sisters attend an art students party, there they meet two men. As the night unfolds, the sisters learn things about themselves and each other that shock them, and release them into a new phase of their lives.
Do yourself a favour a get your hands on this wintery read. It’s a quick yet impactful book that will keep you engrossed. Let Hadley’s storytelling take you into the depths of friendship, envy and the complexities of the past.
Now this book - just wow! As winter settles in and nights grow longer, there’s nothing like curling up with a book that feels as dark and immersive as the season itself. This spellbinding fantasy novel is captivating with its eerier, atmospheric world - a place cloaked in mist and magic, where secrets lurk just beneath the surface.
Elspeth Spindle has a dark secret - she’s haunted by an ancient spirit trapped inside her head, she calls him the ‘Nightmare’. He protects her. He keeps her secrets. But nothing comes for free, especially magic. As her world becomes more dangerous, she realises that her darkest companion might be her only hope.
This is the perfect time to dive into this haunting winter book. Let yourself be swept away into Gilling’s enchanting, twisted tale. If you’re craving an unforgettable read, that will plague you longer than it should, this is the book to pick up.
And that’s a wrap! These 11 books offer you a mix of mystery, magic, romance and reflection, each one perfect for the season’s quiet moments and chilly nights. Whether you want to curl up with a spine-tingling fantasy, a whodunit mystery or to laugh-out-loud at a Christmas thriller, there’s something for every one of you lovely bookworms.
P.S. If you can’t get enough then check out the links below for even more book recommendations.