Top 5… winter reads
Good evening bookworms!
Today’s Top 5 Tuesday is ‘summer reads’, but I’m in the southern hemisphere where it’s FREEZING at the moment, so I’m going to flip this one (I also did ‘summer reads‘ 6 months ago when everyone else did ‘winter reads’). Top 5 Tuesday is hosted by the super lovely Shanah over at the Bionic Bookworm. You can visit her here, and join in for Top 5 Tuesday by checking out all the amazing topics that are coming up!
I don’t know about you guys, but when it’s cold I love reading either about dragons and magical quests, spells and deception, adventure and … maybe a little stabbiness?! ? And despite that I’ve been in a fantasy funk for a while now, I’m still recommending 5 books to knock your socks off…
Now, normally I would say that The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is a November book. That’s literally when it’s set. But, it’s also a wintery book (because that’s when winter is in the northern hemisphere…), and I love to reread it snuggled in a blanket as a storm rages outside, with the wind howling against the doors and windows, and the rain smashing onto the roof. It’s got such epic winter vibes that I have to put it on this list. Seriously, just hand me a mug of cocoa and a November cake while I go dig this one out of a box…
Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett is the 35th Discworld book, and the 3rd Tiffany Achiny novel. In Wintersmith Tiffany participates in a winter ritual she shouldn’t, and in doing so she catches the eye of the Wintersmith. Now there’s tributes to Tiffany everywhere (including mini Tiffany shaped snowflakes and bouquets of ice roses) and someone has to stop him before something terrible happens. The story is a little Persephone / Hades retelling in feeling, but with a very different ending. But all the winter setting makes it one of my faves.
Nevermoor by Jessica Townsend is next on my list. I don’t even know what it is about this book that makes me think of winter. The book is set over the space of a year, and despite this, it never feels particularly summery until the very end. I guess all the talk of the scents of the smoking room (not what it sounds like) remind me of those picture perfect white Christmases and what not.
Hunted by Meagan Spooner is definitely another winter read! A Beauty and the Beast retelling with strong female empowerment in a heavy winter setting (seriously, it’s winter for years) and will break your heart to boot. I seriously love this one – it’s set in an ol-time version of Russia, completely with Russian based names, and it makes me kind of happy. And also cold.
Last, but certainly not least, is my absolute favourite werewolf series – The Wolves of Mercy Falls (Shiver, Linger, Forever) by Maggie Stiefvater. (Look, Stiefvater writes AMAZING wintery stories, ok?) The reason this is my fave werewolf series is because it’s got not much to do with full moons and instead focuses on science and weather changes as the reason for the change between wolf and man. Also, there’s a lot of love for books in here, and the sweetest character in Sam. AND look how cold and wintery the cover of Shiver is!!
Until next time, happy reading ??
Sorry this one is late bookworms. I’ve been spending a lot of time packing and cleaning, and I can’t really see that letting up for a few weeks until we move!! I am counting down until mid June…
Also, when I usually write these posts I scan my bookshelves for inspiration, but I’m doing this one from memory as we packed up ALL of my books on the weekend. Except for the 6 I left out ‘in case’ I want to read them. Plus the 2 that I found in different handbags. And the 4 I found on the couch. Also my May Owlcrate that arrived yesterday. None of which I have read, because I’ve been reading ebooks on my kindle app… ??
20 Comments
Beware Of The Reader
Bwahahaha of course for you
Aussie this is winter! My post will come later but summer is contemporary for me and yes strangely winter is fantasy! Love Shiver by the way!
Meeghan reads
Summer is contemporary!! I think my brain still thinks it’s summer though… (not because of the weather, but I can’t seem to get into fantasy at the moment!!)
And YES!! Shiver is BRILLIANT!! I nearly put The Raven Boys on here too, not sure why, it just gives me winter vibes… but then I thought “sh!t… can’t have 3/5 Maggie books on here” ?
Crystal
Great choices! I’ve been wanting to read Hunted forever!
Meeghan reads
I really enjoyed it!! I’m looking forward to reading Sherwood when I manage to get a copy! ?
evelynreads1
Nevermoor is definitely a great choice!
I feel like it is autumn here instead of summer haha, it’s been pouring for weeks.. (it feels like it at least haha)
(Www.evelynreads.com)
Meeghan reads
We’ve started getting the icy winds, but I dislike rain unless I don’t have to leave the house… so both are bad!! ?
evelynreads1
If I could stay inside all day I wouldn’t mind either haha
Icy winds ?
Pingback:
Yulia @ My Bookish Lair
I like your twist of the topic. Good job there 🙂 For sure YA fantasy books are for winter and the Terry Pratchett one – love it 🙂
Meeghan reads
Thank you!! Apparently the Tiffany Aching books were supposed to be middle-grade Discworld but I just lump them in with the witches ?
Isabelle @ BookwyrmBites
man I always forget that the seasons are flipped in the southern hemisphere, until I get to a post like this (or a winter-themed bujo video for what are my summer months) ?
totally agree that fantasy and action are great for cold weather! something about being cozy and warm and safe inside while reading about all this danger and travel and yes stabbiness too, LOL.
I actually did the Scorpio Races readalong with Maggie herself last year (?) which was so cool, she was around (virtually) to answer questions about the intentions behind certain lines and implications, and we got to hear about how the book changed from first draft to final copy! highly recommend, if she ever does another readalong of her books. and Shiver was my first of her books, definitely really different from a lot of her other stuff but just as good!
my library may or may not have something against Meagan Spooner, because I’ve requested a ton of her books but they never seem to buy them ? (well, the ebooks; I haven’t checked out their physical collection in years oops) but I’ve wanted to read Hunted forever!
Meeghan reads
ARGHHHH!!! I can’t believe I missed the Stiefvater readalong!! I am so sad now (and low key cranky at myself for this!!) She’s my all-time fave author (Jay Kristoff is second) and I just love ALL of her books. ?
And yes, I feel like I always miss out because everyone in the US and UK is all “it’s autumn when Halloween is on and spring at Easter”, and I’m all… nope. We get baby chicks at Halloween and falling leaves for Easter. Also, Santa is in board shorts here… (otherwise he’d die of heat exhaustion)
Isabelle @ BookwyrmBites
Maggie Stiefvater is one of my very few auto-buy authors, and I think the only one I’ve met in person (or well, I went to her Brooklyn writing seminar, didn’t get up the nerve to actually talk to her ?)
the thought of Santa in board shorts delights me inordinately for some reason, though I can only imagine how disconcerting it must be to be in the opposite season from others, I get mixed up just thinking about timezones tbh.
Meeghan reads
OMG you’ve seen her in person!! That’s basically my dream. Also, I might cry if I spoke to her. I might cry thinking about it… ?
Isabelle @ BookwyrmBites
honestly I was in shock for most of the seminar, like “holy wow it’s really her I’m really here” but it was amazing! maybe someday we’ll both get the chance to actually meet her ?
Meeghan reads
I like your optimism!! ?
bathandbooks
Nevermoor, a bit like Philosopher’s Stone, definitely reminds me of Christmas, it’s such a magical book!
Meeghan reads
Yes!! I try and stay away from HP books when I do my top 5 (they make it onto so many people’s and I feel like other books deserve some love too) but the first book is definitely a wintery read!!
marydrover
UGH YES, SHIVER. Honestly my all-time favorite book ever. Sam Roth owns quite a large plot of real estate in my heart.
Meeghan reads
He’s such a beautiful person!! ?