9 Books to Read this Winter

Winter is here. As temperatures plummet across the northern hemisphere and people scurry inside warm houses, it is the perfect time to settle into that recliner, grab a cup of hot cocoa and read a book. What else are you going to do?  

(Yes, you can always binge watch Netflix, but is that what you really want to do with your life?

What I read is  determined by how my day was, what I am feeling, how much time I have on hand and very often, what the world looks outside my window.

In winter, when its grey and chilly, I try to stay away from intensely demanding books. I look for excitement in murder mysteries & ghost stories. Or warmth in family dramas and comedies. 

So here is what I recommend you put on your reading list for this winter

1. Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

This novel-within-novel whodunit will keep you guessing till the end. Incredibly layered, well-written and quite a page-turner. One of the best murder mystery novels that I have read in recent times. Also,  if you are a mystery buff like me you are going to love all the hidden references to Agatha Christie’s work.

2. The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie

And speaking of the Queen of Crime herself, it’s impossible to pick a favorite and honestly any of the Hercule Poirot novels are perfect for reading by the fireside. My personal favorite is The ABC Murders, a series of unrelated murders that happen in small English towns. The only connecting clue is the murders happen in a sequence of towns named alphabetically – so is a serial killer on lose?

3. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

‘Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again’; goodness knows how often this opening line been quoted or has made into Trivia quizzes. Du Maurier’s famous novel, made even more so by Hitchcock’s adaptation is the story of a naive young girl who marries a rich wealthy man and finds herself in a Gothic nightmare. Even though nothing really happens, a lot is implied and you are hooked from page one. 

4. The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

 I get the chills just writing about it. This is no-nonsense horror. There is a stranded mansion with creepy history, dead children, restless souls and a proper haunting. Enough said – you will be want to read this with all the lights on. 

5. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

Based in a wintry fantasy land, an inspired variation of the famous Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, Spinning Silver is a tale about a young, poor girl who learn to spin silver into gold and all the trouble of the world that brings her. There are fire demons and winter lords, not one but three strong female leads, dodgy romances and enough plot points to keep you interested. My review here is here

6. The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker

In the tradition of Euripides’s The Trojan Women, Pat Barker gives voice to the women in Trojan War who have been so unfairly treated in literature. The novel is narrated by Briseis, who was captured by Achilles during the Trojan war and made into his sex-slave. Through her, we journey into the Greek camps outside Troy and hear stories of death, disease and despair. We get a glimpse into what possibly motivated this army to annihilate an entire kingdom over a woman. 

7. The Makioka Sisters by Junichirō Tanizaki

A saga about the declining fortunes of a wealthy Japanese family in Osaka just before the onset of WW II. It captures the heart of old aristocracy in a traditional Japan and gives us a glimpse into a different culture. The story primarily focuses on the lives of the four sisters; two  married, one a runaway and the last one desperately trying to find a husband. Beautifully written, with well layered characters – this is a lovely read.

8. The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens

Now this is a personal favorite and I have to warn you it’s not for everyone. It also might take you a couple of months to finish! But if you can convince yourself to read some 19th century English – then what a treat this is.

The Pickwick Papers record the often hilarious adventures of four English gentleman as the traipse around the country side. I dare you to not laugh out loud when reading this.

9. Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck

No winter reading list can be complete without a travel book, to satisfy that craving to be in the great outdoors. In Travels with Charley, the famous Californian writer takes a road trip across America, in his camper and with his dog, Charley as his only companion. If there is any book, that can make you fall in love with the great wilderness and open lands of America then this is it.

Hopefully there is enough mix of new and old here for everyone. If you had to make a list of books to read in winter, what would it be?