Winter Reading Guide

Hello rosebuds!💐

As most of you know, each season I like to share a few of my recommended reads for that specific time of year. Although winter has been here for quite a bit already, we still have until March 20th when the season is officially over.

So, what do I look for when recommending winter reads? Here’s a breakdown:

1. Classics
2. Historical Fiction books
3. Fantasy books
4. Fairy tales or retellings
5. Anything with a winter setting
6. Anything with cozy vibes

I am splitting this post up into two sections. The first being the winter books I have already read and would recommend, the second being the winter books I have not read but would like to get to this season.

Now, enough babbling. Let us begin!

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WINTER BOOKS I’VE READ

1. Whichwood
by: Tahereh Mafi
why read this in winter:
Whichwood is a middle grade fantasy book and the companion novel to Furthermore. In Whichwood we follow a girl named Laylee who is fated to wash the bodies of the dead and prepare them for the afterlife. She is stuck in a loneliness right after the death of her mother and is basically just going through the motions when one day two familiar faces appear and change everything. Although this story is set in the same world, as Furthermore, you could totally treat this narrative as a standalone.

I’m mainly recommending Whichwood for two reasons. 1.) The town of Whichwood where the story takes place is known for it’s winter weather with temperatures below freezing. 2.) This narrative just so happens to fall into the fantasy category–a genre I love reading when it’s cold out. Other than those two main factors, there are still many reasons why one should pick this book up during the winter time. What it really comes down to though, is the fact that Whichwood totally gives off those cozy winter vibes. This is a story you will definitely want to enjoy while snuggled up in your blanket and sipping a big cup of hot cocoa.

2. Little House in the Big Woods
by: Laura Ingalls Wilder
why read this in winter:
Little House in the Big Woods is book one in the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I think perhaps the most famous book in this series is Little House on the Prairie. The story follows a young Laura and her family as they go through Pioneer Life in a log cabin in Wisconsin. The series as a whole is based off the real life adventures of the author.

Although Little House in the Big Woods takes place throughout the course of several seasons, a huge majority of the story follows the characters as they prepare for the long winter by hunting and saving food. We also get to experience a chapter that involves a lovely Christmas celebration between Laura’s immediate and extended family members.

Even though nothing really exciting happens within the plot, something about Wilder’s writing will just pull you in. Not only is the narrative easy to read, but the book itself is super short (think 224 pages) making it the perfect tale to pickup during a day when you are all snowed in.

3. Snow & Rose
by: Emily Winfield Martin
why read this in winter:
Snow and Rose is a Middle Grade retelling of the Snow White and Rose Red fairy tale. The story follows sisters Snow and Rose after their father disappears in the woods and their mother falls into a deep sorrow. The enchanted woods is under a set of terrible spells, and it is up to Snow and Rose to break them.

Snow and Rose is a perfectly atmospheric story set in a wintry landscape. Martin does an amazing job at giving the reader lush descriptions of the sister’s surroundings, and let’s not forget to mention her beautiful illustrations that totally add to that frosty mood. Either way, you can’t really go wrong by reading a fairy tale retelling in the winter.

4. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
by: C.S. Lewis
why read this in winter:
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a children’s classic that follows three siblings as they stumble through a wardrobe and discover the land of Narnia. There are mythical beings, a talking lion and magic galore.

If there ever was a perfect book to read during the winter season, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe would be it. Not only does this story tick off the boxes for being both in the classic and fantasy genres, but the entire tale is set in Narnia–a place where it is ‘always winter, but never Christmas’. The setting of this story could not be more perfect for the freezing weather. I mean, the villain is a snow queen who put Narnia under a curse where it is permanently winter time. You can’t get more wintry than that!

5. Heartless
by: Marissa Meyer
why read this in winter:
Heartless is basically a prequel to Lewis Carroll’s classic tale, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. In this retelling, we follow the Queen of Hearts and the events that lead up to her becoming the ruthless, violent villain we know today. Before she was evil, she was just Catherine–a sweet girl who loved to bake. Considering the fact that we all know how the Queen of Hearts turns out, pretty much anyone will be able to guess that this is a terribly tragic tale with a not so happy ending.

The main reason I am recommending Heartless to read during the winter is because I personally find retellings of fairy tales and classics to be extremely cozy–especially when they have fantasy elements as well.

6. Red Queen
by: Victoria Aveyard
why read this in winter:
Red Queen is a YA fantasy that is about a world where there are two kinds of people—those with red blood, and those with silver. The red bloods are what you and I are—regular humans, with nothing special about them. On the other hand, the silver bloods are like gods brought down to earth. They each have unique powers and abilities. The main character Mare, deemed a red blood at birth discovers she has a somewhat deadly ability.

People either love or hate Red Queen. I am one of those individuals who totally adore it. Even though this is a fantasy (a genre I will always recommend for the winter season) there is just something else about this story that makes me think of the frigid weather. Maybe it’s the fact that the villains literally manage to chill me to the bones, or it might even be the eerie world/setting. Either way, Red Queen would make a perfect book to pick up this season.

6. The Snow Queen
by: Hans Christian Andersen
why read this in winter:
The Snow Queen is a classic fairy tale that follows a young girl named Gerda, and her journey to save her friend Kay who is lured from his home by the evil Snow Queen. As Gerda searches for her companion, she meets an array of characters who each help her out in one way or another.

The Snow Queen is the ultimate book to read during this season, as it is set with the backdrop of winter. There’s also tons of snow and an ice palace too. You simply can’t go wrong by choosing to pick up The Snow Queen this season.

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WINTER BOOKS I WANT TO READ

1. Murder on the Orient Express
by: Agatha Christie
why read this in winter:
Murder on the Orient Express is a classic mystery novel by author Agatha Christie. The story takes place aboard a luxurious train known as the Orient Express. When an avalanche stops the train dead in it’s tracks, a murder is discovered with thirteen possible suspects. It is up to the world’s greatest detective, Hercule Poirot to uncover the truth.

I don’t know about you, but to me there is just something about reading a mystery that makes me want to curl up in a warm blanket–especially when it’s cold out. I picked this specific murder mystery for this list, because 1) it falls into both the classic and mystery genres, and 2) it also takes place during the winter season. Not only are the characters trapped in a secluded location, but they also have nowhere to escape to considering the train is surrounded by an avalanche. I mean, you just can’t get more wintry than that.

2. The Dollmaker of Krakow
by: R.M. Romero
why read this in winter:
The Dollmaker of Krakow is a middle grade historical fiction novel that takes place during the second world war. In it, we follow a living doll named Karolina who is spirited away from the land of dolls and into the hands of a dollmaker in Krakow, Poland. Karolina is brought to life right before the dollmaker’s eyes, and before he even knows it he is smiling and laughing–something the dollmaker never does–all at the same time.

Unforunately, this newfound happiness is quickly dashed when the Nazi soldiers begin to invade Poland. Karolina and the dollmaker soon realize that their Jewish friends are in serious danger and decide they must help save them no matter what happens.

This would make a great winter read not only because it is a historical fiction novel with fantasy elements, but it also takes place in Poland with a cold, wintry backdrop.

3. Six of Crows
by: Leigh Bardugo
why read this in winter:
Six of Crows is a young adult fantasy novel set in Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha-verse. In it, we follow six menacing outcasts who all go on one seemingly impossible heist.

I have yet to read this book, and that fact alone is enough to make me seriously ashamed. The fact that this is a fantasy novel that follows a group of anti-heroes is enough for me to want to read this during the winter. I also have this odd feeling that the setting might have a winter vibe to it.

4. Spinning Silver
by: Naomi Novik 
why read this in winter:
Spinning Silver is a fantasy novel set in the same world as Novik’s other book, Uprooted, but instead follows a different cast of characters. Like Uprooted, Spinning Silver is a fairy tale retelling, but this time the story was inspired by Rumpelstiltskin. In terms of general plot, I don’t need to know much more considering I love reading anything that has to do with fairy tales during the winter season.

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I hope you enjoyed reading today’s post!

Until next time,

November & HoHoHo Readathon Wrap-up

Hello snowflakes!❄️

I’m posting this a bit late, but today I am coming at you with my November Wrap-up. Last month I participated in the HoHoHo readathon and had an amazing time doing so. I ended up completing all four books that were on my TBR during those ten days. I also finished one additional book as well.

I am keeping today’s intro short and sweet, so without further ado, let’s get into November’s wrap-up!

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THE WRAP-UP

1. Frankenstein
by: Mary Shelley

Frankenstein follows a science student, Victor Frankenstein who is obsessed with discovering the cause of existence and giving life to inanimate matter. After creating and bringing to life a human being from stolen body parts, Frankenstein is disgusted at the creature’s ugliness and ultimately abandons it. This leads Victor’s creation to turn evil.

I personally believe Frankenstein would make a great book club pick as it has tons of potential for discussion. Prior to picking this up I noticed that in most of the goodreads reviews, everyone one saying how Victor Frankenstein is the true monster. Now, I don’t one hundred percent disagree with that. Victor, shunned the monster–which mind you, was his creation–before even getting to know him or let alone being able teach him what was considered morally right and wrong. The more I read though, I realized that like everyone, the monster always had a choice. He could have stayed pure at heart if only he tried hard enough. Unfortunately, he let his trials and tribulations get the best of him and ultimately went down a very dark path. The monster always had a choice and every situation he was put in, he was faced a decision to make. I am a firm believer that it is the way we react to our hardships that truly matters. Everyone is faced with their own struggles at some point in time, and one can either grow from it or turn bitter. I believe the monster did the latter.

Overall, I still ultimately enjoyed Frankenstein a lot. The writing was super easy to get through compared to most other classics, such as Pride and Prejudice. In the end, I decided on a solid 4 flowers.

My Rating:

2. Winter Story
by: Jill Barklem

Winter Story is the fourth and final book in the seasonal Brambley Hedge series. Each book is named after and takes place in a different season. So, it starts with Spring Story and ends with Winter Story.

In this narrative we follow the mice as they prepare for a huge snow day as well as a snow ball. When I say snow ball what I mean is the event with dancing, food and festivities–not the kind you build and throw at other individuals.

This was the first book I picked up for the HoHoHo readathon, and like the other volumes in the Brambley Hedge series, I finished it in one sitting. Although a cute narrative, it wasn’t my favorite. I just didn’t think there was enough going on in the story to seem interesting. With that said, I ended up giving Winter Story 3.5 flowers.

My Rating: 

3. A Christmas Carol
by: Charles Dickens

This famous story follows Ebenezer Scrooge who is a greedy and just all around mean individual. On Christmas eve he is visited but three spirits–the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. Each apparition takes Scrooge on a time traveling adventure and shows him what he was, who he currently is, and who he will turn out to be if he continues on the same path. This is a story that is about the true meaning of Christmas and what it means to be a good person.

This was my first time reading A Christmas Carol, and I have to say that I think this is a new favorite holiday read right up there with The Nutcracker. In terms of book to movie comparison, I think the films got everything pretty much right. As I was reading this, I just couldn’t help but picture Scrooge McDuck from the animated Disney version as Ebenezer!

My Rating: 

4. Whichwood
by: Tahereh Mafi

Whichwood is a middle grade fantasy novel and the sequel to Furthermore. In Whichwood we follow a girl named Laylee who is fated to wash the bodies of the dead and prepare them for the afterlife. She is stuck in a loneliness right after the death of her mother and is basically just going through the motions when one day two familiar faces appear and change everything.

Whichwood was such an atmospheric read and I loved it. I can’t decide if I enjoyed it a little more than Furthermore or just the same. The writing was super whimsical, and I just loved how Tahereh Mafi was often talking to the reader as she was telling the story. I don’t really have any complaints, and am still deciding if I should give it 5 flowers instead of 4.5.

My Rating: 

5. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
by: C.S. Lewis 

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a children’s classic that follows three siblings as they stumble through a wardrobe and discover the land of Narnia. There are mythical beings, a talking lion and magic galore.

This was the last book I completed for the HoHoHo readathon. The writing was super easy to get through and the story and world was interesting and unique. The reason I didn’t give it five flowers was really only because the world of Narnia and some of the characters just creeped me out. Even when I watched the movie when it first came out years ago, I was always kind of freaked out by just the idea of Narnia. Characters like Tumnas always gave me chills because come on, you lore a child to your apartment intending to kidnap it and then apologize hoping that everything will be all sunshine and rainbows? Like, no thank you. If I was Lucy, I would run straight back to the wardrobe and never look back. Also, the fact that Tumnas is half animal, half man was enough to give me the heebie jeeebies.

My Rating: 

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Did you read any of the above books? What books did you read in November? How many? Sound off in the comments below!

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I hope you enjoyed reading my November Wrap-up!

Until next time,