For the month of December, I’m participating in A Month of Favorites hosted by Girlxoxo, Traveling with T and Estella’s Revenge. We’ll be sharing our favorite reading experiences from 2014.
Today’s topic is winter books, which I interpreted in a couple different ways.
5 Favorite Winter Books
Still Points North by Leigh Newman (review)
Newman’s memoir about growing up with eccentric parents (she split time with her dad in Alaska and her mom in Baltimore) reminiscent of Jeanette Walls’ in The Glass Castle and outdoor adventures reminiscent of Cheryl Strayed’s in Wild was on my Best Books of 2013 List.
The Farm by Tom Rob Smith (review)
This thriller about a couple’s experience “retiring” to a remote (and often snow-covered) farm in Sweden is deliciously creepy.
The Lords of Discipline by Pat Conroy (review)
A book set in Charleston, SC on a Favorite Winter Books list? I realize this makes no sense to anyone but me! Pat Conroy is one of my all-time favorite authors and I read most of his books so long ago that I don’t remember all the details. I try to re-read one Conroy a year and I usually do it in January. So, winter is a time for me to get excited about my annual Conroy re-read. Last year’s choice was The Lords of Discipline and this year I’m reading The Prince of Tides.
The Missing Place by Sophie Littlefield (review coming soon)
Not only does the cover of this one scream winter, but the frigid North Dakota setting makes this mystery about two mothers teaming up to find their missing sons during the North Dakota oil boom a great winter pick.
The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin (review)
What do I most want to do in the dead of winter? Curl up and read, of course! So what better book for winter than a book about a bookstore! Not to mention it’s my pick for the Best Book of 2014!
The Farm was really great. Those Scandinavians have creepy down to a science!
Oh yes they do! I sort of neglected to add Jo Nesbo, another creepy Scandinavian, to my list! The Snowman would have made a great addition 🙂
Wonderful picks! Still Points North is definitely on my radar. That sounds like an amazing book! And I keeeeeep eyeballing Lords of Discipline on my Nook. Soon…soon.
I really want to continue with Tom Rob Smith. I was crazy about Child 44, and haven’t read past that one. But, I hope too! I can see why you put him on your list.
I’m hoping to read Child 44 this year!
I think all of us interpreted today’s theme differently. It is fun to see what kinds of books scream Winter to different reader’s. I think about books that put me in a grey mood or that deals with some serious issues. Even if I love Winter.
I definitely need to try The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin. I have to agree with you that a book about a bookstore does sound like the perfect Winter read.
I think I need to read The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry.
Yes, yes!
The Farm was one interesting psychological thriller – adn you’re so right – a perfect wintery read!
Damn, I REALLY need to read AJ Fikry.
Yeah I need to get to the A.J. Fikry novel pronto. It sounds fun. And I once worked in book stores so it should be right up my alley. thanks
Oh – then this is perfect for you!
Thanks for the reminder about Still Points North – someone recommended it to me when I took my trip to Alaska but I never got to it.