Well, Bookworms, it seems the Starks were right.
Winter is no longer just coming. Winter is HERE. Now that it’s cold and crappy out, I may as well make a list of books with a wintry theme. Why the heck not, right? Now, put on “Winter” by Tori Amos, and let’s do this thing!
1. A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon- Oh hey. You didn’t honestly think I was going to make a list and NOT include an Outlander tome, did you? It gets cold up on Fraser’s Ridge, y’all. It snows. Best get your woolen cloaks out before you freeze.
2. Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman (review)- Raise your hands if you like Norse mythology! (I’m imagining that everyone has their hands raised, because it is fun stuff!) This book provides a little mythology for kids (and grownups who like to pretend they’re still kids.) Also, FROST GIANTS. Brrrr!
3. Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah- Ooooh this book. It’ll do a little bit of tearing your heart out, but you’ll be happy it did. It will also make you happy you’re warm and well fed, and being grateful is good for everyone!
4. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley- Got an Outlander hangover? Check this one out! It might just cure what ails you… Plus there’s snow and wintry stuff… And handsome Scottish men to keep you warm.
5. Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio- This book is about a girl with Tourette’s syndrome, but her name is Icy so she gets to be on my list. Funny things happen when I make up my own rules. Muahahahaha!
6. A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin- Winter is HERE, Ned Stark. I love me some Starks, but I’m really hoping they catch a break in the next book. I just can’t take any more!
7. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (review)– Okay, so it doesn’t have a ton to do with winter, but the girl’s name is Snow Flower, for heaven’s sake.
8. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by CS Lewis- This is the book that pops into my head when I think of Winter Wonderlands. The White Witch did Frozen before Frozen was cool. Only, she was actually evil, so Elsa definitely wins on that score. (Side Note: I’ve had Turkish Delight and it’s totally gross. Edmund was a complete jerk face to betray his family for such a lame sweet.)
9. Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton- Who wants to go sledding?! Hahahahaha, just kidding. But really. This book is supremely wintry, and you may never look at sledding the same way again.
Well, Bookworms, as you can see I’ll be spending an awful lot of time in the near future curled up in blankets with hot beverages and books. Any recommendations for wintry reads?
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Leah @ Books Speak Volumes
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a great winter read!
Alison's Wonderland Recipes
I vote for Odd and the Frost Games! I loved Odd in The Graveyard Book, and the addition of Norse myth makes it sound that much cooler. If I wasn’t knee-deep in reading Mark Twain books (and still had a stack of birthday books to get to), I’d pick Odd and the Frost Giants up for a little seasonal reading. 🙂
Andi (@estellasrevenge)
Love this list! And I haven’t listened to Tori Amos in years, and I love this song. Thanks for the reminder! 😀
Kerri
I loved The Winter Sea- great list!
Akilah
Ethan Frome!!! I think I read that in high school. Memories, man.
ThatAshGirl
Oooo I haven’t read Winter Garden. Another one to add to the TBR list.
Monika @ Lovely Bookshelf
I always love your lists. I’m imagining the White Witch singing Let It Go hehehe
Amy @ Read a Latte
It doesn’t have anything about winter in the title, but I think The Miniaturist is the perfect book for winter! You can almost feel the Amsterdam wind!
Jennine G.
Ah, awesome list idea. And I’ve always wondered what Turkish Delight Tate’s like. One of these years I’m going to buy some for my classes to eat when we read that book.