Winter Reading List Ideas

Winter is the perfect time to settle in with a cozy blanket, a hot drink, and a good book. The colder months invite readers to dive into rich, immersive stories that transport them to other worlds or offer comfort and reflection. Whether you are looking to curl up with older titles or upcoming releases, here’s a diverse list of books to add to your “to be read” (TBR) stack this winter.

Books to Add to Your TBR Pile This Winter

These titles are all past releases that you might be able to easily find at your local library, whether in person or online:

• “The Snow Child,” by Eowyn Ivey

This beautifully written novel, set in Alaska in the 1920s, mixes elements of magical realism and survival. A childless couple builds a snowman, only to find the next day that the snowman is gone and a mysterious young girl has appeared. It’s a poignant, wintery tale of love, loss, and the harshness of nature.

• “The Overstory,” by Richard Powers

A sweeping and immersive novel, “The Overstory” weaves together the lives of several characters, each connected by their relationships to trees. Its profound themes of ecology, humanity, and interconnectedness make it a thought-provoking read for the winter season.

• “The Night Circus,” by Erin Morgenstern

This atmospheric fantasy novel, featuring a magical circus that only opens at night, is ideal for cold evenings. With vivid descriptions and enchanting themes of love and competition, “The Night Circus” invites readers into a world of wonder, mystery, and intrigue.

Planned Book Releases for Winter 2025

Should you be searching for a few new releases to enjoy this winter, here are a few to consider:

• “The Kennedy Girl,” by Julia Bryan Thomas

From popular author Julia Bryan Thomas comes a new release that’s sure to be a hit with readers. “The Kennedy Girl” follows the journey of an American orphan to France, where she becomes entangled in an international espionage scheme. Those who loved the glamour of “The Second Life of Mirielle West” or the intrigue of “The Secrets We Kept” may be especially interested in this one.

• “Beautiful Ugly,” by Alice Feeney

In this new story, author Grady Green calls his wife, Abby, to share some great news while she is driving home. He hears her slam on the brakes, get out of the car, and then—nothing. He tracks down her car on the edge of a cliff with the headlights on and the driver door open. But his wife has disappeared. A year later, still grief-stricken, he decides to travel. And then he sees a woman who looks exactly like his lost wife.

• “Mark Twain,” by Ron Chernow

Before he became the famous Mark Twain, he was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Born in 1835, he dreamed of piloting steamboats on the Mississippi. But the Civil War would disrupt those plans. Instead, a young Twain headed west to the Nevada Territory, where he worked for a local newspaper and became known for his brash and humorous writings. Acclaimed biographer Ron Chernow follows Twain’s journey from popular reporter to the father of American literature.

• “The Maid’s Secret,” by Nita Prose

Author Nita Prose skyrocketed to success with her debut novel, “The Maid,” and continues to thrill readers with this third release. This new adventure for Molly begins when a daring art heist takes place at the Regency Grand, where she works. Molly’s life is threatened. But who would be out to get her and for what reason? The key to solving this mystery lies in an unexpected place: a diary written by Molly’s beloved, late grandmother. For the first time, Molly learns about her Gran’s secrets—which involve someone Molly knows well.

Your local library is still a great place to track down books old and new. Another tip to make winter reading a little easier on the budget is to take advantage of the Libby app. It’s free from public libraries all over the world. You can borrow books, audiobooks, magazines, and more.

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