Are you ready for winter? These five books will transport you to the middle of a snowstorm, so have your hot chocolate ready before you turn the first page.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
This classic children’s tale is set in a winter wonderland, where the Pevensie children must battle the White Witch and bring spring back to Narnia. Packed full of sleigh rides, snow-covered woods and frozen waterfalls, this book masterfully evokes the harsh beauty of winter with every page. Sit back, snack on some Turkish delight, and travel back to childhood.
A Song of Fire and Ice series by George R. R. Martin
“Winter is coming.” Has any other modern fantasy series produced a more iconic phrase? Although these epic fantasy novels visit the sun-drenched gardens of Dorne and the blistering hot Red Waste, the Northern sections of Westeros dominate the pages. Whether you’re following along with the young Starks as they huddle by the fire in Winterfell, cheering for the Night’s Watch as they defend the solid ice of the Wall or holding your breath as Jon Snow encounters Wildlings in the freezing cold of the uncharted lands beyond the Wall, you’re never far from a long night of dark, unrelenting cold.
Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris
Are grimdark fantasy novels not for you? Do you long for some Christmas cheer to read as you sip hot cocoa beneath a pile of blankets? Try humorist David Sedaris’s collection of holiday-themed short stories, including his beloved, career-launching account of working as a Macy’s elf for one long Christmas season.
The Long Winter by Laurall Ingalls Wilder
Return to a simpler time with the sixth book in the Little House on the Prairie series. The Ingalls family must survive a harsh winter in North Dakota with the help of their neighbors. This realistic story showcases the importance of community and is packed with heart-warming moments like Laura and her sisters learning to make maple syrup candy, settlers sharing food with each other and a much-anticipated Christmas morning in May when the snow finally melts.
The Shining by Stephen King
Winter can be wonderful, but it can also be cruel and isolating. In this horror novel, a suffocating snowfall that traps the Torrance family in an isolated hotel, opening the door for malevolent spirits to torment Jack, Wendy and Danny. With each passing day, Jack grows more insane, and Wendy and Danny have no way to escape. Make sure to read this novel by a bright, crackling fire, or the wind that howls through the pages of this book may echo too loudly in your skull.
Whether you’re looking for a winter-themed read to cool yourself down during a sweltering summer day or a snow-centered adventure to get you through a long day huddled beneath blankets, these five books to read in the cold will take you on a magical journey.