There are a few categories of books I enjoy reading when it’s cold outside. Here they are, along with a few recommendations from those categories and some books I have on my TBR.
Series
Nothing makes me feel cosier than cuddling up and diving into a series I know will keep me completely immersed and help me lose the real world completely. This is my top pick, and I don’t care if it’s not at all original. It’s that good.
M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin series is the only cosy mystery series I’ve really delved into (I think I’m on the 26th book in the series now) and I adore it. The writing is pretty basic, and the plots are sometimes a bit predictable, but they’re light and keep you flipping pages well past your bedtime. They’re quick reads and satisfying to race through.
Kathy Reichs’ Temperance Brennan series (yes, the one Bones was based on) is one of my favourite mystery series. It’s about a forensic anthropologist who has to do lots of gross investigation to figure out the stories of the murder victims that come her way. Edge of your seat, but also includes some more academic information that will intrigue those interested in the field.
The Ruth Galloway series is a new one to me, thanks to my mum’s recommendation. It’s about an archaeologist who keeps getting mixed up in modern-day crimes and ending up in dangerous situations. The books can be a little repetitive and sometimes go a little slower than some of the other thrillers I’ve read, but I’m on the third in the series and this does improve somewhat after the first one. I love that Ruth Galloway has plenty of realistic flaws and quirks – she’s overweight, a single mum by the second book, struggles to balance work and home life and doesn’t have (or really want) a romantic partner. But in spite of this she is an expert in her field who is respected and looked up to by her colleagues and the police officers she assists. I find her to be a great role model and reminds me that you don’t have to be perfect to be kickass, which is a lesson I really need to be taught at the moment.
Heartwarming Tales
All three of these books made me feel heartened and like the world isn’t a totally horrible place in their own way. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry is just a perfect story that will make any reader, no matter how tough, have all the feels. Fangirl is more about learning to find your feet as a young adult in a harsh world, but it has some really lovely moments and characters and is definitely a quick and easy book to devour on a snowy weekend. Cold Comfort Farm is just hilarious and a bit twee (in a good way) and will delight anyone who has a British sense of humour.
Books Set In Cold Climates
I know there are others that don’t involve blood and murder, but this is the only one that comes to mind at the moment! It definitely had that wintery feel, though, and made me feel extra snug and warm reading it under my blanket with a cup of tea!
Some books on my winter TBR
The Year of Living Danishly and Names for the Sea have both been on my radar for a while thanks to the British booktubers I watch. Both are about women who travel to foreign countries (Denmark and Iceland, respectively) with their families, and their experiences of getting to know a new country, a new language and a new way of life. They both sound interesting and like the kind of book that can transport you.
A Tree Grows In Brooklyn is a book I’ve had on my TBR for a long time but haven’t ever read in its entirety. I know it’ll be full of all the feels, but ultimately be a heartwarming story with characters who will stick with me long after I close the covers.
One Day In December isn’t my usual type of book – I think it’s mostly a romance – but it sounds like it could be a cosy feel-good romp. It’s also this month’s pick for Reese Witherspoon’s book club, so there’s that.
I also love stories about Christmas – and it’s the only time of year I’ll read ridiculously silly books without shame because if there’s a hint of cosy Christmas atmosphere I’m so in. Oddly I can’t think of any to recommend at the moment though (I think I’m not yet in full Christmas mode) so I’d love for you guys to recommend your favourites in the comments, please!
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.
Fangirl is such a wonderful book. I thought about including it on my list this week, but then it’s set all year round, so I chose other books instead.
I’ve seen Harry Potter on a lot of lists today. I think The Year of Living Danishly sounds interesting. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.