We like to prepare blog posts in advance, and as I write this on a November evening, I’m reminiscing that today I overheated in a turtleneck because it was 83 degrees outside. If this weather continues, I’ll change this blog post to “Things to Read When It’s Summer In December” but for now, let’s assume winter IS coming and that it’s going to get cold.
So here are a few suggestions for books with a keen sense of place–that place being the dead of winter.
City of Thieves by David Benioff
During the Siege of Leningrad, two young men are tasked with finding a dozen eggs for a Soviet military wedding. This coming of age story has a vivid setting, sharp dialogue, and a mix of suspense, tragedy, and unexpected humor; for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with compelling characters and a blend of grit and wit.
The Shipping News by Annie Proulx
Quoyle, a struggling newspaperman, moves with his daughters to a remote Newfoundland town to rebuild his life and uncovers his family’s secrets. An atmospheric novel known for its dark humor, lyrical prose, and eccentric characters, the book appeals to readers who enjoy character-driven narratives and stories of personal transformation set in vivid rugged landscapes.
Beartown by Frederik Backman
A small, hockey-obsessed town rocked by a shocking act of violence forces its residents to confront loyalty, ambition, and morality. With its deeply human characters, emotional depth, and exploration of complex social dynamics, the book appeals to readers who enjoy thought-provoking dramas that delve into community, relationships, and resilience.
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
An emotional and gripping tale of a family seeking a fresh start in the wilds of 1970s Alaska where the untamed landscape mirrors their own struggles with love, survival, and trauma. Readers will enjoy vivid descriptions of Alaska’s beauty, compelling characters, and a mix of suspense and heartfelt emotion; the novel appeals to those who enjoy immersive stories about resilience, family dynamics, and the power of nature.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
This hauntingly beautiful tale is set in 1920s Alaska, where a childless couple’s lives are transformed after they build a snow girl–only to find her come to life. Combining lyrical prose, magical realism, and an evocative depiction of Alaska’s wilderness, you’ll enjoy this if you like bittersweet, atmospheric stories blending folklore with themes of love, loss, and renewal.
How High We Go In The Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
This deeply imaginative and interconnected series of stories explores the impact of a global plague unleashed by melting Arctic permafrost. It weaves themes of grief and love across time and space. Poignant storytelling, speculative elements, and a profound exploration of humanity’s adaptability, makes this book perfect for readers who enjoy thought-provoking literary science fiction and emotionally resonant narratives.
The Shining by Stephen King
An oldie-but-goodie chilling psychological horror about a family isolated in a haunted hotel as the father’s unraveling mind and the building’s sinister forces threaten their survival. With its intense atmosphere, complex characters, and escalating sense of dread, this is for readers who enjoy gripping, character-driven horror that blurs the line between supernatural and psychological terror.
The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley
A captivating modern murder mystery about a group of old friends who gather at a remote Scottish estate for New Year’s, only for tensions to boil over, leading to murder. With its atmospheric setting, shifting perspectives, and intricate web of secrets and betrayals, the novel appeals to readers who enjoy character-driven whodunits filled with suspense and interpersonal drama.
The Sanitorium by Sarah Pearse
In this chilling thriller set in a former tuberculosis hospital turned luxury hotel in the Swiss Alps, a detective on leave must unravel a series of mysterious disappearances and murders during a snowstorm. If you like an eerie setting, psychological suspense, and complex plot twists, this book is for you.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
A captivating fantasy set in medieval Russia where a young girl with a gift for seeing spirits must protect her village from dark forces as ancient folklore and magic come to life. The lush, atmospheric world-building, rich cultural mythology, and themes of resilience and female empowerment, make this book perfect for readers who like character-driven tales that combine fantasy with historical and folkloric elements.
