Top 5 Tuesday is hosted by the wonderful Shanah @ Bionic Book Worm.
What does a winter read mean to you? To me they are dark and atmospheric and often set somewhere where it is cold.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
I think you simply have to look at the cover to understand why I put The Bear and the Nightingale on this list. It is my go-to winter read recommendation. It is so atmospheric that I actually got chills while reading it. The book is set in the wilderness in Russia where it is winter most of the year. Winter is so harsh that is almost becomes a character!
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
I am the only one who associates Little Women with the holidays? I always watch the movie in December and love to reread the book that time of year when I can! There are a lot of Christmas Day scenes. I love these characters and the sisters’ relationships with one another. It is truly a charming yet heartbreaking novel.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
There is something about Neil Gaiman that makes feel like they are perfect winter books. I think it is because they are so descriptive and dark! I think it is a great book to read at night, and the nights are longer in the winter. I also personally prefer fantasy this time of year. It is rare for me to pick up a book like this in the summer months!
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
Burial Rites is set in Iceland, and it is so unbelievably dreary and atmospheric, which makes for a perfect winter read. It is also a historical fiction novel based on a true story, which is a genre I turn to in the winter.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Is this an obvious choice? I mean the majority of the story takes place in the Ice Court! It is also a very dark book with a dynamic cast of characters. I wish I had read it during the winter! Maybe I will pick up the sequel, Crooked Kingdom, in the New Year!
This is a great list of books!! 😄 I agree that you gotta read all those dark and atmospheric books in the winter. And that book set in Iceland sounds really interesting!
Thanks! Ah Burial Rites is so good! I feel it is underrated!
I’ve just added Burial Rites to my TBR – it looks SO atmospheric! This is a great list!
That makes me happy! It’s a fantastic book!
Great list! I saw Burial Rites on Gr a lot, and now I’ve decided to put it on my TBR!
Awesome! It always makes me excited when people add that book to the TBRs!
Yesss – Six of Crows! You should absolutely get the sequel ASAP.
I know!! I have to go pick up a copy ASAP!
lovely list! I’m tempted to take on the lot. xxxxx
Awesome! Thanks!
The Bear and the Nightingale went on my TBR yesterday. Looking forward to reading it 🙂
Yay! You are going to love it!
I loved ‘The Ocean at the End of the Lane’ – a real delight. Thank you for reminding me of it. The only other of your choices which I’ve read is Little Women, a total classic! I must try some of the others.
The Ocean is such a unique book! I obviously highly recommend all of these books, especially if you enjoy books that are very atmospheric.
This is a great list. I forgot all about The Bear and the Nightingale. I read it last winter and loved it.
Thank you! Such a great book!
The Bear and the Nightingale ❤️ What a lovely, wintery list!
Thank you! I haven’t heard of anyone who disliked that book! There is something special about it!
Six of Crows is on my list! I’m picking it up from the library today!
That is awesome! I hope you love it! (I think you will!)
I’m reading Six of Crows right now!! I love all the characters so far. Kaz is just brilliant…but Jesper is super adorable and Inej has the best thoughts ha-ha! I’m only about 3 to 4 chapters in, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a fast read 🙂
Jesper is my favourite even though Kaz gets all the love. Such a good group of characters!
I love the sassy yet adorable and loving nature of Jesper. I’m really excited to see where his character development goes!
Six of Crows <3 Perfect winter read!
Truly is!
I haven’t read any of the books on this list ahhh, but I really want to now!
They are all awesome!
Great list! I always forget about Little Women, but it is absolutely a cost winter read!
Thanks! I definitely associate Little Women with winter!
I wanna read six of crows so bad but my library doesn’t have it or anything ya anymore
Oh no! That really sucks. Why would the get rid of YA?
Burial Rites is definitely on my list of winter reads as well. Great list, Kristin <3
Thank you! I am tempted to reread Burial Rites this winter!
Oh I never thought about Six of Crows being a winter book, but now…. well, it seems like it’d be a perfect seasonal read for sure! 🙂 I haven’t read The Bear and The Nightingale, but only heard incredible things about it overall. It seems like the perfect winter read 🙂
I didn’t think of Six of Crows as a wintery read until I was putting together this list! I really think you would love The Bear and the Nightingale!
Little Women is the first book that pops into my head when I think of winter reading. First of all the opening scene opens to the March sisters talking about Christmas and the storyline passes through several holidays/occasions. 🙂 I also associate Neil Gaiman with winter. I thought I was the only one. Maybe its the fact that his book are darker and mystical, which the winter months are. Great list!
It is so true. The opening scene always gives me all the Christmasy feels. Neil Gaiman’s books scream fall and winter for me! I don’t think I would read his books in the summer. Thanks!
Haven’t read any of them but the covers , gosh 😍😍
I know!! I am such a sucker for a good wintery cover!
Love your picks!! Especially Little women and bear and the nightingale! And six of crows and ocean at the end of the lane are great too 😀
Thanks! Those two are my favourites as well!
You’re welcome!