Winter Reading List

 

Winter is finally and officially upon us. I am crossing my fingers hoping for snow as well as preparing for a very festive, quiet Christmas. This time of the year is perfect for bundling up in bed with some socks and blankets, a cup of hot chocolate resting nearby, and a good book in your hand. No season conjures such cozy feelings. The dark, cool weather crafts the ideal book reading and movie watching scenario. Here are the six books I want to read this wonderful season. 

the hero of ages by brandon sanderson

I have finally began reading the final book of the Mistborn series. What took me so long? Procrastination, yes, but also fear. I did not want this series, which is incredible and detailed, to end. If you never finish the series, the story is never over, right? But I cannot put it off forever and it is high time I get my act together, take a deep breath, and just read it. In case you do not know, this fantasy trilogy is set in an empire 1000 years after the prophesized hero failed to save the world. The Lord Ruler has reigned for centuries, immortal and all powerful. But Kelsier, a former prisoner and thief, is prepared to dethrone him. Kel is a mistborn, the most powerful kind of magic user that can manipulate all metals. He gathers a crew of powerful rogues to join in his mission--including a young slave girl named Vin. Vin, as it turns out, is more powerful than anyone ever suspected. Can she help Kel free the world from the terror of the Lord Ruler or will they die trying? The world building is incredible and Brandon Sanderson is the king of magic systems. I cannot wait to finally read this last installment despite the sadness. 

the invisible life of addie larue by v.e. schwab

V.E. Schwab is one of my favorite authors. Vicious and A Darker Shade of Magic both claim places as two of my favorite books. Yet it has been too long since I have read something by her and I am itching to pick one up. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is her newest release about an immortal woman cursed to never be remembered. She is living out her forgotten, lonely existence when suddenly she comes across someone who remembers her name for the first time in centuries. I love a whimsical, sad adventure tale with some amazing prose, and that is exactly what I expect from this new book. Plus that cover is so simple yet beautiful, how could I possibly resist? I have heard some mixed opinions regarding the plot but I would prefer to come to my own conclusion. Besides, I do adore winding, ethereal stories like those by Erin Morgenstern and if this novel is anything like that, I am sure I will not mind.

we have always lived in the castle by shirley jackson

I don't know about you, but I love a creepy, spooky story. Shirley Jackson wrote The Haunting of Hill House and I love both the novel itself and the Netflix miniseries it spawned. We Have Always Lived in the Castle is her other horror/mystery novel that intrigues me. When the wind is blustering outside and the sun dips below the horizon, I am certain I will gravitate towards a story that will cause fear and discomfort. This book is told from the point of view of eighteen year old Mary Katherine Blackwood, who lives in an estate with her uncle and younger sister. However, a family tragedy haunts them and isolates them in their fear and guilt. If her previous novel can be used as a reference, I am sure this one will disturb me, inspire me, and leave me at a loss for words. 

harrow the ninth by tamsyn muir

Here we are faced with my autumn failure. Listen, during the school semesters I simply lack the necessary time to read and I knew I would not be able to get to all the books on my fall TBR list. But the one I still want to read the most is the sequel to Gideon the Ninth, which was one of the best books I read in 2020. The first book is a funky, badass science fiction novel about necromancers in space. Gideon and Harrow, arch-nemeses, must compete against the other necromantic houses' leaders and cavaliers to win a chance at serving the Emporer and gaining immortality. For Harrow of the Ninth House, she must also protect her house's secrets at all costs while attempting to save it from certain extinction. Harrow the Ninth will hopefully be just as mysterious, dark, and hilarious as its predecessor. 

city of ghosts by victoria schwab

Oh, look, another V.E. Schwab book. I guess I am just experiencing some withdrawals. City of Ghosts is one of her middle grade novels, this time featuring ghosts and one of my favorite cities: Edinburgh, Scotland. The story follows a young girl named Cassidy Blake. Her parents are ghost hunters and have set their sights on an old, haunted city. But what they do not know is that their own daughter, Cassidy, can see the very spirits they are hunting. Cassidy is overwhelmed but the mass amounts of ghosts in Edinburgh but she soon meets someone like her who can see them. I have been missing Edinburgh lately so I figured reading a spooky, fun novel set in that very city would make me feel better. 

craven manor by darcy coates

I discovered a new-ish horror novelist, Darcy Coates, earlier this year and quickly devoured two of her books. It appears that she had previously self-published multiple books before being recently picked up by a traditional publisher. While her books are no masterpieces, I really enjoyed the fun and spooky stories set in haunted houses (my favorite trope). The next of her books I have my eye on is called Craven Manor and follows a man named Daniel who takes the position as a groundskeeper at Craven Manor. Daniel is desperate for a fresh start and views this new job and accompanying move as the perfect option. However, he soon realizes that the old, grand manor house is hiding something sinister. Daniel is not alone, but he does not know what exactly is living with him. 

What books do you plan on reading this winter?