To keep it short, here are three of my favorite non-wintery winter reads. Grab a warm blanket and some hot cocoa to best enjoy these stories.
“The Devil in the Flesh” by Raymond Radiguet, Published 1923
Weighing in at a light 127 pages, Radiguet’s premier novel is perfect for those stuck in a funk: finish it in an afternoon, or sit with Francois and Marthe for a little longer…. A modern day classic in French literature, Radiguet was able to capture the essence of puppy love and a seductive affair in his first go-around. His untimely death from typhoid fever at twenty cut his sure to be illustrious writing career short, but the post WWI Parisian sun will never set on The Devil in the Flesh.
“Simon Snow Series’ (Trilogy) by Rainbow Rowell, Published 2015, 2019, 2021
Currently on my third(?) reread, the Simon Snow Series is my idea of the perfect fantasy world. It’s so easy to jump into and the characters feel like the friend group of my dreams. A chunk of the first novel (Carry On) takes place around Christmas time, so November is the perfect time to start investing in the over one thousand page journey of Simon Snow. With themes of fantasy, romance, vampire-ism, travel and magic, let Rainbow Rowell spell you into Watford this winter.
“Bones and All” by Camille DeAngelis, Published 2015
Given that the story takes place in the summer, DeAngelis’s critique on ethics and veganism somehow also feels perfect for winter reading. Maybe the visually dark film adaptation by Luca Guadagnino that was released in November of 2022 connects the film to Christmas time. The story centers on Maren: a teenage girl with a genetic disease. The plot of the novel differs slightly from that of the film, so if you have already seen the movie, I strongly encourage you to read the book. DeAngelis’ self-described reasoning for writing this story adds a layer of intrigue. With themes of romance, cannibalism, loneliness, and family, I guarantee Bones and All can keep you hooked through those long… dark… isolated… winter nights….