6 Great Winter Reads Perfect For a Cosy Fire

I’m not much of a seasonal reader – I can read a book set in the Summer in January – but I think that there’s something to be said for Winter reads. I don’t know about you, but sitting by a warm fire with a couple of Winter reads is my idea of a good night – or day, or weekend, or any time I’m conscious – in. This is probably a result of the freezing weather Britain is renowned for, but either way, Winter reads can help put you in the mood for less hospitable weather without necessarily having to involve Christmas. Please note, this list is not a list of Christmas reading recommendations, because Christmas reads and Winter reads are not necessarily the same thing (this is also because I plan to recommend a list of Christmas books too in the foreseeable future).

It’s also worth noting that not all these Winter reads are set in Winter for the entire book, but I found reading them during the cold months a particular climate. They all involve some kind of snowy weather and evoke coldness really well, which is where the cosy fire comes in and warms you up. So, without further ado, let me introduce you to some Winter reads perfect for a cosy fire!

Links to sites below are not sponsored and I don’t receive anything from them, I just want to support the use of second-hand books.

1. Misery by Stephen King

Misery isn’t just one of my favourite Winter reads; it’s also one of my favourite Stephen King books and generally one of my favourite stories of all time. Thus, any excuse to talk about Misery is a good one, and a list of Winter reads is one of the best excuses!

Following novelist Paul Sheldon after a terrible car accident, Misery, named after the protagonist of Paul’s bestselling romance series, shows what happens when Paul is rescued by the seemingly nice Annie Wilkes – who also happens to be his number one fan. Little does Paul know that Annie isn’t just going to be unhappy about Misery dying in his latest book: she’s going to demand that he bring her back, and between being wheelchair-bound and stuck in the snow-covered middle of nowhere, there’s very little Paul can do about it.

A tense, gripping read, Misery is one of the perfect Winter reads, especially if you enjoy reading darker novels that go places you wouldn’t expect. It was also made into a great film, which I’ll one day put on a different list for a different time. Click here to find a second-hand copy.

2. The White Darkness by David Grann

I recently recommended another David Grann book, but when it comes to Winter reads, The White Darkness reigns supreme. It’s also my most recent Winter read, since I read it at the beginning of this very year, and though I’ve only read it once, I can safely say it’s one of the best books to read in Winter.

The book is about explorer and British Army Officer Henry Worsley and his journey to retrace and complete Ernest Shackleton’s ill-fated expedition, crossing Antarctica from one coast to the other. It explores Worsley’s personal life, as well as his familial connection to the Shackleton expedition, and Grann’s writing reflects the climate’s coldness very well.

A short book that tells a compelling story and is sure to make you appreciate that fire even more during the frosty weather, The White Darkness is among the best Winter reads if you’re looking for some quality nonfiction. You can find a used copy here.

3. The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

This one may seem like an odd choice, but in terms of Winter reads, this is one of the most comforting. I may be slightly biased here, since I’m a big Narnia fan – my controversial opinion is that Narnia is the GOAT among classic fantasy series – but the first book in the series is one of the best books to read in Winter purely for its ever-present snow.

As the four Pevensie children are evacuated to the countryside during World War II, they soon discover that the wardrobe in their new home opens up to a magical land where time passes differently and danger lurks among the white snow.

A simple but beautiful story about good and evil – and a nice dose of religious allegory – The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe is great if you’re looking for Winter reads to share with your family or recapture some of that childhood nostalgia. Here’s a link to a used copy.

4. The Snowman by Jo Nesbø

Another darker choice regarding books to read in Winter, The Snowman is not for the faint of heart. However, it is one of the best Winter reads if you’re looking for something violent and disturbing.

Set in a snow-laden Norway, Detective Harry Hole has to navigate the difficulties of his personal life and his relationship with his ex-wife when a series of murders begins. The victims are found with their heads missing, and it can only get darker before Hole finds the killer.

Among the best Winter reads for fans of dark crime novels, The Snowman is all the more effective when read during the Wintery weather and the cold, dark, nights. You can grab a perfectly good used copy here.

5. Into The Wild by Jon Krakauer

Another nonfiction book for those of you who enjoy taking some facts in with your Winter reads, Into The Wild isn’t just a great book, but I think it’s also an important one, discussing the dangerous situations that some people can find themselves in.

The book relays the tragic tale of Christopher McCandless, a young man who left his home and lived off the grid in the American wilderness. I won’t spoil his tale here, but Krakauer tells it beautifully, and reflects on his own experiences in the wild.

Though the book takes place over a longer period of time than a single winter, the cold sections make one appreciate the simple warmth of a cosy fire, and it’s a book that I think everybody should read just once. Highly recommended, it is one of my favourite Winter reads and a book that I read during an isolated time in my own life.

Links to second-hand copies here.

6. 30 Days Of Night by Steve Niles (Art by Ben Templesmith)

Since I’m such a big comic book fan, I’m surprised I haven’t recommended more comics before, but when it came to Winter reads, this one was a must-have/share.

The residents of Barrow, Alaska, are put into a nightmare when their town, which has been shrouded by their Winter’s 30 days of night, is attacked by vampires.

A three-issue miniseries that has enough character and plot to keep you invested whilst also having ample action, I recommend 30 Days of Night for anybody who likes some supernatural activity with their Winter reads. It’s also very interesting to note that Utqiagvik (formerly Barrow) actually undergoes the polar night that occurs in the comics during the year.

Second-hand link here.

This rounds out my list of 6 great Winter reads that would be perfect for a cosy fire! I hope you like them! What are some of your favourite Winter reads? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time,

Conrad 🙂

P.s. If you’d like to know more about why Misery is so important to me, then you might want to check out this post I wrote about it! I also mentioned another book of Krakauer’s in this list here.