Other than the main purposes of books — which are intended to cause readers to think critically, analyze and challenge their perspectives — they aim to curate a specific mood. It can make it all the more fun to engage fully into the book while reading, and finding books that fit the current season allows readers to immerse themselves in the atmosphere. Here are a few books that fit the winter season.
“Beartown” by Fredrik Backman, a realistic fiction that takes place in a small Swedish hockey community, explores life in a small town, friendship and the consequences of terrible actions. Following a violent act committed by a significant teenager within the community against another, the entire community must decide what it means both for themselves and the future of their beloved junior ice hockey team. “Beartown” forces readers to think about everything from the toxicity that can take hold of sporting communities to what it means to be human, all while among the Swedish snowdrifts.
“Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo is a young adult fantasy. The first of a popular fantasy duology, “Six of Crows” follows a group of six teenaged outcasts offered the chance at a dangerous heist that could make them incredibly wealthy. Taking place in a fictional world full of Grisha — people born with powers to control things such as light or metal — the characters have to travel through cold, cut-throat cities and snowy wastelands while attempting to complete their mission. The fast-paced and dark atmosphere, as well as the development of relationships between characters makes “Six of Crows” the perfect winter read.
A story about the depth of grief, the memoir “The Year of Magical Thinking” details how Joan Didion, a famous American writer and journalist, dealt with the personal experience of her daughter’s life-threatening illness and her husband John Dunne’s death. Somehow comforting in its relatability, Didion describes the complexities of life and loss in the year following the passing of her husband. Beginning and ending during the winter season, “The Year of Magical Thinking” is a powerful memoir certain to allow readers a place to reflect on their own experiences as well as the lives of others around them.
“The Secret History” by Donna Tartt, a psychological fiction campus novel, follows the classics students at a liberal arts college in New England. The book details what can result from extreme obsession with the complexity of beauty and knowledge. Under the influence of their professor, cult-like and dionysian behavior takes hold of the group, pushing them to a violent act that draws attention to their mysterious ways of life. A story about the slow loss of morality, this satire discusses elitism, prejudice and the romanticism of academia all while the eccentric group hopes that their secrets stay buried under the falling snow.
“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott is a famous coming-of-age fiction. A classic novel taking place in Massachusetts during the 19th century, this story is about four sisters as they adapt to life while their father is away at war. Focused around themes of sisterhood, love and the challenges that come with growing up a woman, “Little Women” encompasses what it meant to be an ambitious girl struggling to find her way in life. Opening with the young girls lamenting over the struggles of poverty during the Christmas season, this story of loss and the strong bond between sisters follows the March family as they grow into themselves, a perfect read for the reflective winter season.
Any of these five books are enjoyable reads for the colder months. For those interested in more, find the librarians here at school or your local library. They are sure to have an array of recommendations to keep you warm during the winter.
