The weather is cold, the night is longer, and the coffee is hot! This is some of the best times to grab a book, blanket, and your favorite warm drink and have a night in. What to read though? Luckily for you, I might have the answer. While many holidays happen in the winter solstice months, the vibe and feel of winter seem to be familiar to everyone. So rather than present a list of books for specific holidays, I am going to give you a list of books that just feel right for the colder, darker times of the year. Here are 5 books to read during the winter solstice.
One Dark Window
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig is the story of a young lady, Elspeth, trying to understand a voice that has been inside her head for the past eleven years, The Nightmare. The story revolves around found family, "sins of the father," and discrimination and has one of the most original and unique magic systems I've seen since Mistborn.
The reason One Dark Window is perfect for the cold months, and I'll throw in the sequel Two Twisted Crowns as well, is because the whole story is based around the winter solstice. The winter solstice is a very important plot point for the story and the world that is built just feels right when your world is cold too. On top of that, the magic system screams old magic. Their magic smells of salt and the way it is talked about and described it just feels like a dark, cold forest that has rumors of witches in there and we are told to stay away from it. When you read this book, it just feels like you should be huddled up next to a fire in an old, ancient castle as the sun is going down.
Under the Whispering Door
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune is about Wallace, a lawyer, who dies and is brought to this tea shop to prepare him for his trip to the afterlife.
I may be a little biased on this one because I did read it over a holiday break, but this book just gives a feeling of comfort and like you're at home no matter where you read it. That is a big point of the book, feeling at home and accepting where you are, and while reading the book it almost gives off that presence and aura that feels right in the winter times with so many holidays that focus on family. Where One Dark Window felt like reading in an old castle next to a fire, Under the Whispering Door feels like getting wrapped in a warm blanket, drinking a hot drink to stay warm, and having your heart ripped out by the ending.
The Bear and the Nightingale
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden is a story about a young girl, Vasya, who can communicate with mythological creatures at a time when religious zealots are trying to stamp out the belief in these creatures.
This story is based in Russia, specifically Siberia, and the world of the book is helped by knowing that outside the warm home you're in there is a cold chill blowing around. The story itself is heavy on folklore and the folklore style. It isn't fairytales that are being told, but folk legends. Folk legends come with a foundation of stories being told to families on their own, long travels at night, and story time around the fire to be kept warm. The folklore style is enhanced when you, yourself, are in similar situations. It is the perfect read for after dinner when the sun has set and all you have is the side lamp right next to you.
The Enigma of Room 622
The Enigma of Room 622 by Joel Dicker is about a writer, Joel, who experiences a break-up and the death of his publisher and tries to get away to the Swiss Alps for some rest. He ends up finding out about a murder mystery that happened in room 622, but according to everyone there, room 622 doesn't exist.
The idea of getting away to the Swiss Alps after a rough time for some rest really can connect with some people during the winter solstice. Whether going on vacation or visiting family, so much about the holidays during the winter revolved around resting and renewal at the end of the year and the start of a new one. Add in the element of heartbreak at the beginning and the thriller of a murder mystery that everybody loves, and this book is the perfect read for when everyone has gone to bed and you're on the couch with a blanket and, finally, some peace and quiet.
A Dance of Dragons
A Dance of Dragons by George R.R Martin is the most recent book in his ongoing series A Song of Ice and Fire. This book focuses on the stories of Jon Snow and characters in the North and Daenerys Targaryen and characters across the Narrow Sea.
This may be cheating because it is technically the most recent of five books that are currently out, but A Dance of Dragons fits the idea of the winter solstice the most of them all. Granted, I think all five books would be a great read for the colder months, but this one in particular fits. It is high fantasy, so much of the story is set in very cold areas (with some warmer ones to clean the palate), and is heavily stepped in the "legends" of the books with a focus on the White Walkers and Dragons. Honestly, when reading this book, it almost feels like you're in your barracks awaiting your watch at the top of The Wall with your black coat lying right next to you. Ready to be worn.