10 Wonderful Winter Reads

The start of December always brings my love of winter to the surface. I love decorating for Christmas, the snowflakes, the two feet of snow that used to pile up outside my home, the cold, the sweaters and scarves, the twinkling lights... and of course, the books.

I know other people might also be getting into the spirit of winter. So, I put together a list of books with major winter vibes (or winter in the title) that I have read and loved or that I hope to read and love very soon.

Nonfiction

#1 Labyrinth of Ice by Buddy Levy

If you followed my reviews over the summer, you know that I read and loved this book! It follows Greeley and his crew up north towards Greenland on the quest to reach furthest north. Amid perils and the dark night, the men struggle to survive while collecting important data about the north.

#2 The Polar Bear Expedition by James Carl Nelson

The Polar Bear Expedition is a soldier's-eye view of the invasion of Russia in the aftermath of World War I. A group of 5,000 U.S. soldiers journeyed through the arctic areas to find themselves in battle hundreds of miles above Moscow. Temperatures plummet and the battle continues as the Bolsheviks advance on their position. This book seems short when you hold it, but it is dense and packed with military history. A piece of history I hadn’t heard about before, this is a great read for anybody interested in extreme situations, military history, and an interest in geography.

Romance

#3 The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morgenthaler

In the small town of Moose Springs, Alaska, Graham Barnett is the owner of The Tourist Trap diner where Zoey Caldwell happens to be staying. When their lives cross paths, will sparks fly? This romance is a light-hearted and fun read for any romance fan who wants to stay curled up in the comforts of their home. Not overly mushy, this reads like a rom-com.

Thriller

#4 The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

I cannot rave enough about this book. I remember reading it and thinking, "what?" It was full of spook, some lore, and lots of creepy situations in a haunted house. This book has hidden diaries, locked doors, missing people, and lots of mystery.

#5 Winter Moon by Dean Koontz

This book is one that I continually think about and refer back to for amazing quotes. Full of Sci-Fi elements and gripping scenes, this will be a book that you won't be able to put down.

In Montana, Eduardo Fernandez lives alone on a ranch, miles away from the next neighbor. After witnessing a strange nocturnal event, he begins to dig deeper and deeper in an attempt to understand what he saw. While he searches, a family in LA discovers that their life is more intertwined with the man on the ranch than they had ever imagined before. Soon they are drawn out there where they discover the oddities for their own and struggle to keep their family alive.

Short Story

#6 The Call of the Wild by Jack London

I love a good collection of short stories and Jack London is the perfect author for winter tales. His stories are rich with imagery that depicts the harsh nature in the north. He describes sled runs, rugged cabins, and... the call of the wild. Plus the benefit of short stories is that you can quickly read one and then move on if you are struggling for reading time.

Fantasy

#7 The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

I love all of the Narnia stories but this one is one of my favorites. It is a timeless tale that is great for people of all ages. The Pevensie children - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - are sent to live with their uncle during the war where they enter Narnia through a wardrobe. The White Witch has taken over the land of Narnia and cast an endless winter over all the land. The children must take matters into their own hands in order to save their new friends.

#8 Kingdom of Ice & Bone

I could not put this book down. I fell in love with the world in which the characters lived, the love and struggle they endured to find each other and stick together. And, the winter! It really was full of winter elements of the setting furthered the character’s conflicts. This is book two in a trilogy, but I read it as a stand alone and didn’t miss a beat.

Fiction

#9 The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

This is one of my favorite books of the year. I loved reading this book for a number of reasons. Kristin Hannah is such a phenomenal writer and she captured so much emotion that it made me cry... but don’t let that deter you!

Leni and her parents end up moving to the wild bush in Alaska. Through many trials and long nights, they begin to build a life for themselves. The long winter and extreme isolation takes its toll on the family and causes conflict and potential for disaster, but Leni finds her strength and begins to understand the true meaning of love and family.

#10 The Glass Woman by Caroline Lea

This book, set in 1686 Iceland, is the story of Jón and Rósa. Married suddenly, they move to the remote village of Stykkishólmur. Jón tells Rósa that she must never open up the door to the loft. But as she begins to hear noises she becomes more and more afraid of what is hiding in her house.

The writing of this story was so unique. Caroline Lea was able to create so much mystery and intrigue inside each chapter.

Happy reading!