10 Books with Winter Vibes
Titles for cold, dark days + a new playlist
In a recent post called Five Steps to Help You Choose Books You'll Love, I mentioned knowing your "book words." Book words are the qualities you look for when choosing a book to read. One of my words is "atmospheric." I love it when writers instill a strong sense of place in their stories. I'm not always good at remembering specific plot points or character names, but I can recall the vibes of a book and how it made me feel.
Winter isn't my favorite season, but I enjoy books with winter vibes. I love reading seasonally, so I want to share some winter-ish titles with you in this post in case you do, too. First, let me explain what winter vibes mean to me. Think coldness, isolation, darkness, tension, and a desire to escape. Some of these books are actually set in winter, but others aren't, and there are some nonfiction titles, too. While different genres, topics, and settings, each book brings to mind those qualities I listed above.
I decided not to stop at books this week, so I also made a Wintry Mix playlist for you. You'll find the link at the end of this post. Let's start with the books!
Two types of books I don't read very often are classics and long books, yet the first book I'm recommending today is a gigantic Russian classic you might have heard of called Anna Karenina. I found a beautiful used copy at Hastings (R.I.P.) and decided to try reading it for reasons unbeknownst to me now. I'm so glad I made that choice because I ended up loving this novel. I read the edition pictured above, and I think the translators, Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, did an incredible job. The text wasn't as intimidating as I thought it would be. Instead of slogging my way through all 838 pages, I thoroughly enjoyed the time I spent reading Tolstoy's classic about a love affair, morality, and social expectations. What better time than winter to settle down with a long book about an unforgettable woman?
When I share book lists, I've read all the books listed, but I'm making an exception for this one. I picked up my copy of Cole Arthur Riley's newest release this afternoon and can't wait to dive in. Cole is the brilliant person behind the Black Liturgies Instagram account, and she wrote an excellent debut called This Here Flesh, which I just reread with my book club. I am so excited to read her new words, and I'm confident they'll speak truth, grace, and goodness into my life during this challenging season.
Naomi Cottle is a private investigator called upon to find a missing child who disappeared when she and her family searched for a Christmas tree in the forest. A former missing child herself, Naomi is specially equipped to find the missing girl. But, as she begins her search in the snowy woods, memories from her past come back in dreams and force her to face things she thought she’d forgotten. This novel is as atmospheric as they come, though heartbreaking.
The Hunting Party is the perfect choice for a snowy weekend away. The story is set at a luxurious, remote lodge where a group of friends come together to celebrate the new year. A blizzard snows in the group, ensuring no one can leave the property. When someone is found dead on New Year’s Day, everyone becomes a suspect as old memories and resentments surface.
Tana French is the queen of atmospheric mysteries, and she shines with In the Woods, the first book in her Dublin Murder Squad series. This book follows Rob Ryan, a detective working on a case similar to one he was part of as a child. When a girl is found dead in the woods, Rob faces his past as he tries to uncover the killer alongside his partner, Cassie. In the Woods is such a tense, dark, and moody novel. It sets the standard for what I want in a mystery.
Barbara Brown Taylor is one of my favorite religious writers. In this book, she's seeking to understand darkness better, both literal and spiritual. Taylor explores the natural world and examines biblical texts in which God worked at night. Thanks to her wisdom and unique insights, there are few I'd trust to hold my hand in the darkness as much as Barbara Brown Taylor. This book is ideal for those of us who long for glimpses of the holy amid the long nights that seem endless.
Small Things Like These is a novella set during the Christmas season in Ireland. It’s 1985, and Bill Furlong is an honest and hardworking husband, father, and man of faith. He works as a coal merchant and makes a startling discovery when he drops off a delivery to a local convent. This is a slim book but one that will stay with you. Claire Keegan is so good at capturing real and complex human emotions.
Set in 1920s Alaska, The Snow Child tells the story of Jack and Mabel, a childless couple who build a child out of snow. The snow child disappears, but a little girl named Faina appears in the woods. Who she is and where she came from are the questions that power this memorable story. Just like with Anna Karenina, this type of book isn’t what I usually reach for, but I’m glad I read it. The isolation and brutal cold of winter felt palpable in these pages.
In 2016, Navied Mahdavian and his wife lived in San Francisco when they decided they were ready for an adventure. That adventure led them to rural Idaho, where they built a cabin and a new life for themselves. Mahdavian was an artist new to gardening and hunting. He and his wife had little experience with winter and snowy roads. Thankfully, they encountered some helpful neighbors, but Mahdavian, the son of Iranian immigrants, also faced racism that caused him to wonder if Idaho was the right place to raise a family. This graphic memoir is a beautiful story of identity and belonging.
January and February can be difficult months. The holidays are over, your New Year’s resolutions are probably broken, and winter days can seem longer than ever. Wintering is the perfect book for times like those. Katherine May writes about difficult seasons in her own life and how she learned the importance of rest and reflection. Reading this book felt like a warm hug, but not in a creepy way. You get it. I read this book in 2022, but just pulled it from my bookshelf to reread.
I hope this post inspires you to get cozy and enjoy a great weekend read. Here’s the aforementioned playlist full of songs that give me the same wintry vibes as these books. Enjoy!
What are your favorite wintry reads or songs? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
I’ve heard good things about The Frozen River. I’ll have to add it to my ever-growing list.
These all look so good!
Wintering really stood out as something I’d probably enjoy.
I always look forward to your playlists too!🎶❤️🎶