Good Books to Read in Winter

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield is one of my favorite books. With a Gothic, timeless feel and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end, The Thirteenth Tale is perfect reading for cool fall and winter nights. In fact, the protagonist mentions drinking hot cocoa while reading several times throughout the book -- it warms her during her mid-winter nights on the English moors, and this book (with some cocoa) will warm you and remind you why you love to read.

• Read a complete review of The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
• The Thirteenth Tale Book Club Discussion Questions

Audrey Niffenegger's first novel, The Time Traveler's Wife, had such a unique premise and structure that it was difficult to imagine how she would follow it up. In Her Fearful Symmetry, Niffenegger once again takes a premise that sounds like it would be classified as science fiction or fantasy and writes it in such a way that it will appeal to those who do not normally read that genre. Indeed, even though Her Fearful Symmetry is a ghost story, at heart it is a story of family dynamics and love. It is a very satisfying second novel, and Highgate Cemetery has the perfect winter ambiance.

• Read a complete review of Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
• Her Fearful Symmetry Book Club Discussion Questions

The Imperfectionists is Tom Rachman's first published novel, written from his experiences working for an Italian newspaper. While his writing has the journalistic feel of a good news story, Rachman's voice is empathetic and natural as each chapter takes on a personal anecdote of someone who works for the paper. While this novel came out in the spring, I think it is a much better fit for winter. If read during the winter months, Rachman's debut will feel as warmly nostalgic as beginning the morning waking up to a newspaper and a cup of Joe.

• Read a complete review of The Imperfectionists by Tom Rachman
• The Imperfectionists Book Club Discussion Questions

Stieg Larsson's debut novel, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and the two novels that finish this trilogy have sold well as beach reading, but I think they are better suited to a snowy day than a beach towel. They take place in Sweden and are full of all things Swedish -- including cold and dark. The darkness not only comes from the short days, but also from the content and themes in these crime novels. If you've been wanting to check out Larsson, winter is a good time to do it.

• Read a complete review of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Book Club Discussion Questions

I read a lot of books for my job. So, you would think that my taste for good literature would be sharpened. Sadly, wading through the masses of plot-driven thrillers and mediocre memoirs can often make me forget that anything other than the ocean of ordinariness exists. Then a book like The Story of Edgar Sawtelle lands on my nightstand, and I am reawakened. I remember what words can do.

• Read a complete review of The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
• The Story of Edgar Sawtelle Book Club Discussion Questions

Maine and melancholy -- two words that evoke images of winter or could be used to describe Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. The beautiful thing about Olive Kitteridge is the way it touches on deep truths about life and love through stories about everyday events. The overall tone of the book is melancholy, and Olive is a deeply flawed and not entirely likable character. Strout deals with the disappointments and trade offs people make in life; however, this compilation of sad stories is not without hope.

• Read a complete review of Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
• Olive Kitteridge Book Club Discussion Questions

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett is the first book in a new trilogy that will take readers through the major events of the twentieth century by following five families. In Fall of Giants, most of the action centers on World War I and the Bolshevik Revolution, with some glimpses of domestic politics, especially in Great Britain. Although Fall of Giants is more than 1000 pages and has many characters, the story is remarkably intimate and connected. Fall of Giants is like a good coat -- heavy, comfortable and something that you need day after day. It is a good book to read over a month in the winter.

• Read a complete review of Fall of Giants by Ken Follett
• Fall of Giants Book Club Discussion Questions