Winter Reading List (Top 10 Winter Books)

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Here are my top 10 winter books for your winter reading list. These books will warm your heart and fill you with whimsy during the cold winter season. ❄️

1. “In a Holidaze” by Christina Lauren

“In a Holidaze” is by the famous author duo of many bestselling romances such as “The Honey-Don’t List,” “The Unhoneymooners” and “Roomies” to name a few. Christina Lauren are known to write wickedly good romances and this holiday romance is no exception to wooing readers of the genre.

Thus, “In a Holidaze” is a lighter winter read and guaranteed to be bingeable like a holiday romcom. The story is about Mae who is not having a wonderful time in life and who is ecstatic to join the two other families during the holidays – her favourite time of the year. This gathering is set in a cabin in Utah and it will be the last the families will be spending since they’ve been going since childhood.

Romance ensues… two brothers and one Christmas wish. Will Mae get her wish and be happy? Well… there is a twist… Mae is stuck in a groundhog type day that is enabled by funny accidents until she can solve how to break the time loop.

2. “Spinning Silver” by Naomi Novik

“Spinning Silver” is a gripping – chilly – fantasy retelling of many commonly known fairy tales. It draws inspirations from Rumplestiltskin, Hansel & Gretel, A Thousand And One Arabian Nights, to name a few. Every story is woven beautifully and the characters are unmistakably captivating.

The story follows Miryem, a descendent girl of moneylenders but when her father can no longer collect his debts; Miryem embarks in an arduous journey. She goes to collect what her family is due and bring them out of poverty. Doing so, she becomes known as the girl who can turn silver into gold. News travels fast and the fey king is interested in challenging Miryem. Along the way, she forms unlikely alliances and she is faced with choices that could alter both kingdoms – fey and human – forever.

3. “The Bear and the Nightingale” by Katherine Arden

“The Bear and the Nightingale” is the first book in the Winternight Trilogy. This trilogy is set in Moscow and follows Russian folklore. It is a very imaginative book and perfect for the wintertime.

The main character Vasilisa listens to the chilling tales of her nurse while she huddles closely for warmth with her siblings. When her mother passes away, her father brings home a new wife. This new stepmother prohibits Vasilisa from engaging with the spirits from the tale but slowly the young girl uncovers the magical gifts that had once laid dormant.

4. “The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey

“The Snow Child” is another book set in the cold wilderness, precisely Alaska in the year 1920. This one is yet again another fantasy-like novel. In which a pair – Jack and Mabel – are struggling with their first season in snowy Alaska. Together, they build a snow child and the next day the snow child disappears. Her name is Faina and she stalks the woods with fox at her side. Jack and Mabel come to understand and accept her as a daughter.

“The Snow Child” is beautifully written and ideal for the winter time. The quintessential book for lovers of the literary fiction genre.

5. “Gingerbread” by Helen Oyeyemi

“Gingerbread” is destined to fit in your winter reading list, especially with its title. (Anyone else eat a lot of gingerbread cookies during the wintertime? Or just me…)

This story deals with family legacy, particularly inheritance. And yet, it is another fantasy, magical realism, and retelling-like book. Think in the vein: “Hansel and Gretel.”

Perdita Lee and her mother Harriet Lee seem to be living in odd circumstances, making delicious gingerbread. Gretel, Perdita’s childhood friend, is one of the top admirers of these cookies. Soon, Perdita is not simply a British schoolgirl as she gets caught up in the search of her mother’s long lost-friend. Through this a new retelling, Harriet’s own story arises.

SEE ALSO: Keto Gingerbread Cookie Recipe

6. “Winter Town” by Stephen Emond

“Winter Town” is a bit of a different book in this winter reading list because it is also part graphic novel.

The main character Evan looks forward to see the girl next door and childhood friend named Lucy every winter. But this year she is completely transformed into someone else: she has become full Goth. Yet, Evan is determined to rekindle with the girl he used to know.

“Winter Town” is a perfect winter read with beautiful wintery artwork.

7. “The Winter Sea” by Susanna Kearsley

“The Winter Sea” is the first book in the ‘Slains’ duology. This book has the reminiscent feelings of the “Outlander” series by Diana Gabaldon. “The Winter Sea” is a historical romance set in 1708 Scotland.

The main character Carrie McClelland wants to write the story of the near restoration of exiled James Stewart’s Scottish crown by the invasion of Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers.

Carrie wants to write a fictionalized account of her ancestors but suddenly fiction resembles reality as she uncovers truths that could ruin her.

8 “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman

“Beartown” is also the first book of a trilogy. It has been heavily acclaimed in the book world for its atmosphere and its portrayals of society.

This town – Beartown – is the epitome of winter as the story centers around the ice rink. A small community has a big emphasis on its junior ice hockey team – they are the town’s pride and joy. This year, they have a chance at wining the semi-final match but something terrible happens. The incident leaves the town in traumatic tension.

Will the small community of Beartown survive this turmoil?

9. “One Day in December” by Josie Silver

“One Day in December” is a love story filled with chances. That’s the thing with winter romances; they dance around the hopeful faith between the magic of Christmas and the New Year.

This story follows Laurie who does not believe in the fated “love at first sight.” Until one day in December her bus stops at a café and she makes eye contact with this stranger. And she knows he’s the one. She spends the next year, searching cafés and bus stops but to no avail. Laurie can’t find him. Until one day at her best friend’s Christmas party, she encounters this stranger once again. His name is Jack and he’s the boyfriend of Laurie’s best friend.

“One Day in December” is the perfect contemporary love story for your winter reading list.

10. “In the Midst of Winter” by Isabel Allende

“In the Midst of Winter” is a melancholic romantic tale. Allende’s writing style is beautiful and incomparable. In this historical fiction, the past and present story line of three very different characters intermingle.

This story is about a love story emerging from a traffic accident. A wintertime of deep snow and snowstorms in which present story lines from Brooklyn to Guatemala intercedes with the recent past to 1970s Chile and Brazil.

A story about love, humanity, and connectivity right in the midst of winter.

I hope you enjoyed this winter reading list! Let me know what is on your winter reading list! 📖

Also let me know what other reading lists you would like to see.