5 of the coziest books to read this winter
Finding a good book to read during the winter months can sometimes prove difficult; do I want something cozy? Something exciting? Some lovely book filled with melancholy? My favorite books to read in the winter embody one or all of these elements, and have become books that I return to yearly for their seasonal aesthetics.
1. The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky
This book is thick, and could easily carry you through the entire winter season. Set in the early winter days of fictional Russian provincial town, this classic text follows three brothers; Alexie, Ivan, and Dmitri as they face complicated family dynamics, romance, and even… dun dun dun…a murder! If you’re looking for a book that is stimulating, steady, and at times, outrageously funny even in its seriousness, then try giving The Brothers Karamazov a go.
2. In the Café of Lost Youth by Patrick Modiano
If frequent trips to local cafes or wandering the streets of Paris are your vision of a perfect winter day, then we have good news for you; this is your ideal winter novel. In the Café of Lost Youth explores friendship, our relationship to others, and how we deal with the unknown. Featuring plenty of French ambiance, chilly streets, and a disappearance, this novel will put you in a cozy, curious, and chic mood this winter.
3. Devotion by Patti Smith
It could be all of the ice skating or the not-so-subtle notes of melancholy that permeates this novel, but it is honestly such a perfect read for the colder months. Inspired by a late-night ice-skating broadcast, this short book follows a young orphaned ice skater whose gloomy and destructive disposition is only shaken by the violent circumstances she always seems to find herself in. At 90 pages, and with an introduction by Patti Smith herself, this could easily become your go-to winter novel for a quick and thoughtful read.
4. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
With all of the adaptations, animations, and retellings of this story, its about time we all sat down to read the original, notorious tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. This story is a must ready for a cozy winter. Featuring holiday festivities, moral dilemmas only seen in the best of Hallmark movies, and paranormal exploits, this novella is simple but packed with wintery elements.
5. The Sherlock Holmes Mysteries by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
The mere thought of a intelligent detective out solving treacherous mysteries is enough to make me cozy up in front of the nearest fireplace. Full of danger, thrills, and witty disguises, The Sherlock Holmes Mysteries are not only a must read for any bibliophile, but they are ideal for the chilly winter days indoors when we want a bit of mental stimulation.
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