There’s nothing like spending a winter afternoon curled up in a cozy sweater with a warm mug of hot chocolate in one hand and a book in the other. Something about watching the snow drift down just outside the window accompanied by the sound of pages turning creates such a magical atmosphere to be whisked away into a story. Whether it be romance, fantasy, mystery, or horror, it is always a good idea to have a few books at the ready for when that perfect chilly afternoon comes along to spend the day reading under a blanket.
I’ve compiled a list of books that I’ve read and highly recommend, as well as books that I haven’t read yet but have been recommended to me by two or more people and are on my reading list. I’ve tried to include a few different genres and plots, so that regardless of your mood, there should be a book here that interests you. Hopefully this winter you’ll find a time to light a candle, sit back, relax, and enjoy one of the incredible books on this list.
“The Guest List” by Lucy Foley (psychological thriller/mystery)
This book was incredible in every way. I got it as a gift on Christmas morning and finished it by the next day. Lucy Foley is a literary genius who expertly weaved together a collection of storylines into twist after twist that will leave you reeling. A wedding held on a remote island off the coast of Ireland was the perfect setting for the slow-building tension that grew throughout this masterpiece of a story. Coming from someone who guesses the end of every movie within the first five minutes, I promise you will be surprised by the last 100 pages of this dark suspense piece. This book is perfect for any fans of Agatha Christie and was also selected for Reese’s Book Club list.
“The war outside” by monica hesse (Historical Fiction)
The caption from the post above provides a great summary of the book, but this is truly a well-written novel and it’s perfect for a fan of historical fiction pieces. I highly recommend it.
“Shatter me” series by tahereh mafi (Dystopian/Romance)
If you are a fan of young adult dystopian books (i.e. “The Hunger Games,” “Divergent”, etc.), then boy, oh boy, do I have a series for you. First of all, Tahereh Mafi is a poet who can make you feel all of the feels in just a few sentences. This series is so wonderful and WOW the romance is top notch. I have never read a better slow burn enemies-to-lovers series in my life. Aside from the incredible romance, Juliette is a really well done main character with a compelling internal monologue as she struggles with the isolation that comes from her lethal touch. This series is so so worth it and I promise, you will love every minute you spend reading these books (my personal favorite is “Ignite Me,” the third book, so it doesn’t go downhill after the first one).
“where the crawdads sing” by delia owens (fiction)
I have not yet gotten a chance to read this book, but I have heard SUCH great things about it from so many people. It was a Reese’s Book Club pick (which is always a great sign) and it has spent 124 weeks on the best seller list after topping the list for 32 non-consecutive weeks. “Where The Crawdads Sing” is a coming-of-age story as well as a mystery that follows two timelines: one about an isolated young girl named Kya growing up in a marsh in North Carolina and the other about the murder investigation of a local celebrity. By December 2019, the book sold over 4.5 million copies, and sold more print copies in 2019 than any other adult title. This book is next on my list and as soon as I get an opportunity to read it, I already know I will love every minute of it.
“The selection” series by kiera cass (Dystopian/romance)
“The Selection” really feels like the perfect mix between “The Hunger Games” and “The Princess Diaries.” With politics, romance and a feisty main character, I highly recommend this series to anybody who loves a good dystopian fiction. “The Selection” is a great read because it’s appropriate for so many age levels. I read it for the first time when I was eleven years old, but I really believe that it is just as enjoyable at eighteen. This series is set in a futuristic world divided into castes based on social status and features an outspoken girl from a poorer caste who is unafraid to tell people what is right — whether that person is the king or a camera with a live feed being broadcast to the entire country. This book is also SO romantic and features some of the best dialogue in any romance that I’ve gotten the privilege to read. If you’re in a reading slump, this is such a great series to pull you out of it. It’s a quick read, romantic, fun, and the line, “Break my heart. Break it a thousand times if you like. It was only ever yours to break anyway,” will live rent-free in your mind for months to come.
“The seven husbands of evelyn hugo” by taylor jenkins reid (historical fiction)
“The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” has been recommended to me by so many people that it had to be included on this list even though I haven’t gotten to read it yet. It tells the story of aging Hollywood star Evelyn Hugo’s interview with an unknown journalist named Monique Grant about the truth of her glamorous and scandalous life. The book is marked as historical fiction, romance, LGBT and fiction. Evelyn’s story is said to be one of friendship, ambition and forbidden love. I can’t wait to read it.
“It ends with us” by colleen hoover (romance)
This book is described as a heartbreaking, beautiful romance and one of the most powerful contemporary novels in recent years. It’s raw, honest and Lily is an incredible heroine who moves with strength and conviction as well as vulnerability. Colleen Hoover is one of the best modern writers and anything she touches is magical. This is a profound and important novel that needs to be read.
“a Good girl’s guide to murder” by holly jackson (mystery)
Who doesn’t love a good young adult mystery/thriller? This is a quick read and an adventure with great characters, fast pacing and a satisfying ending. When Andie Bell disappeared five years before, everyone believed she was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal Singh. But a senior named Pippa Fitz-Amobi takes on the case as her final project for school and starts to uncover things that point to a real killer still being out there. This is another great read to get you out of a reading slump and has been recommended to me by multiple different people.