10 Best Books To Cozy Up With This Winter

One of the best things to do in winter is cozy up inside and watch the snow fall. But you may want to do something other than just rewatching the same TV shows. Reading a book is a great way to keep your mind active and engaged, but still entertained. These are the best books to cozy up with this winter, that won’t make you fall asleep.

1. The Testaments

For all you The Handmaids Tales lovers out there, this is the sequel to that beloved book. Taking place fifteen years after the end of The Handmaids Tale, it’s crucial to reading the first to really understanding it. (And if you didn’t read the book, bing watching the TV series will be good enough to fill in the plot points.) The book was so good that is won 2019 Man Booker Prize, which is awarded to the best original novel published in the U.K. This story is so good you won’t be able to put it down and you’ll even forget about how cold it is outside. The only thing you’ll be worried about is finishing the book as soon as possible.

2. Girl, Woman, Other

Also a Man Booker Prize winner, aka this book is so good we are giving it awards. This book is perfect for those who want to be able to put a book down for a few days and come back to it at their convenience. Each chapter is a story of a different woman, and although the characters do intertwine, each story could be read on its own. It follows the lives of black women in Britain and their everyday lives, struggles, triumphs, heartbreak and everything in between. It explores themes of politics, feminism and sexuality. This book is a great option for those who want to be able to come home and night and read just a little bit, it’s not like a suspense novel where you can’t put it down. But, it’s good enough that each day you’ll enjoy cozying up with it and reading about the compelling lives of the characters in these books.

3. The Nickel Boys

Although this book is fictional it is based off of the real life Florida School for Boys, which was a juvenile reform school that operated for over 100 years. The school was repeatedly reported for mistreating students by abusing, torturing and even killing some of the students. Although this book touches on very serious issues you won’t be able to stop reading it. This book is for those who like compelling documentaries, since it is based on reality. So instead of turning on a documentary, this is a great option that will have you wondering why you had never heard about this story before.

4. The Silent Patient

This psychological thriller is perfect for those who couldn’t get enough of Girl on The Train. The story revolves around a woman who kills her husband unexpectedly and then never speaks after. It follows her and her therapist who tries desperately to uncover the motive behind the killing. For anyone who wants a book they can’y put down, one that’s semi creepy but very suspenseful, this is a great option. if you’re looking for something to break up the mundanity of Christmas stories, this will certainly give you a different story for winter.

5. The Turn Of The Key

Like the above book, this is also about a woman charged with murder. (There’s something about the cold weather that makes us al compelled to read crimes stories). The book is unique in that it is told completely through notes the main character writes to one of her potential legal advisors. The letters are her explaining what happens, and trying to get him to take her case. The story is even more creepy in that, it’s about a nanny who was charged with murdering one of the children she took care of. This suspense novel is another binge reading book that you won’t be able to put down.

6. Grand Union

Grand Union is a collection of short stories all by the same author, Zadie Smith. The stories all range in tone, theme and story. With such a range of stories, there’s something for everyone. There’s humor along with more serious topics and even showcasing the mundanity of life. This is a good option for those who love literature and appreciate it as an art form. This is for those who love to analyze works. It’s also a good option for those who don’t want to feel like they have to read an entire book in a sitting. With it being a collection of short stories you can read a story a day or you can read a few in the day. Regardless of your reading style, you’ll be able to read at your own pace with these stories.

7. An Anonymous Girl

This story was one of the best selling books last winter and was a New York Times best seller. So, if you missed it last winter, this is the perfect option. Another thriller that you won’t be able to put down. This follows a makeup artist looking for more money, so she lies to get into a psychological study. This book switches back and forth in narration between the main character, Jessica and the Doctor conducting the study, Lydia. This switching narration will keep you on your toes, and turning the pages.

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8. Little Women

For anyone looking for a great classic to read, Little Women is the perfect answer. This is the story so many people are familiar with but maybe haven’t truly read it. It’s an easy read for any age, but will be nostalgic for anyone twenties or older. Since so much of the novel takes place in winter, it’s an easy book to copy up with. But if you’re like Joey in Friends and you don’t know the story, have a freezer ready to hide it in when it gets too sad. Read it before you see the new movie so you have a good base to compare it too.

9. Why Not Me?

This book by the hilarious Mindy Kaling, is the perfect option for someone who needs a good laugh in winter, and let’s face it, we all do. And who better to give us a laugh than the queen of comedy herself, Mindy Kaling. This book is a collection of memoirs about her adult life, touching on her fame as well as her introduction to Hollywood. It’s beyond relatable, and everyone reading will both feel comforted by the fact that she relates to so many things us “average” people do. But you’ll also be laughing the entire time, her voice is so prevalent throughout that you can practically hear her while you read it. This is great for the person wanting some humor after The Office comes of Netflix in the New Year, without missing our favorite girl.

10. In The Midst Of Winter

Having Winter in its title gives this book an edge over the others but it’s also an amazing read.This story takes place in New York in the winter, it explores the lives of three very different characters and the struggles of humanity when it comes to immigrants and refugees. Although touching on serious subjects, it’s still a pleasant read and is a love story that will warm your heart. And who doesn’t love a good love story in the middle of winter.