Well, if Shanah @ Bionic Bookworm has made me release anything with today’s prompt, it’s that I just don’t read anything set in the winter!
Seriously, I’m going through my Goodreads shelves and my actual shelves, and I’m coming up with NOTHING where winter actually figures in. Does YA not like the snow? I mean, I don’t, but seriously, what’s up?
That also puts a dent in today’s topic, so we’re going to switch it up a little bit. Now, it’s my top five reads for winter! Which means it’s actually probably looking more like by December TBR… 🤫 Don’t tell anyone, though, and let’s just hop to it.
Huntress by Malinda Lo
I LIED, I THOUGHT OF A BOOK.
Okay, so this might be the only wintery book, but it does feature a lovely f/f relationship that’s a bright light in the cold winter grey, and if you’re into stories about the fae as well, this is perfect for reading when the snow starts to come down and everything seems bleak.
The Waking Forest by Alyssa Wees
As I write this post, I have the ARC ready to go on my Kindle, but have NO TIME to read it. It’s such a curse tbh. That said, that cover feels sooooooo wintery, and it’s high on my priority list once I finish finals for the semester. Of course, it isn’t out until early March, so I’ll be keeping my thoughts on it under wraps until about February or so. 😉
The Girl King by Mimi Yu
Another one I have an ARC of, The Girl King is hardcore judging me from my Kindle because it’s begging to be read. Two sisters in competition with their cousin and one another for the throne? Magic? Shapeshifters? And that absolutely stunning cover with a high lonely mountain in the back? This may or may not actually be wintery, but I’m so reading it next month, especially since it comes out January 8th!
The Seafarer’s Kiss by Julia Ember
Now here’s a wintery-looking cover! I’ve had this on my list for ages, and it looks perfect for an under-the-covers-while-it’s-snowing-and-the-fireplace-is-lit read! Also, isn’t that paper-cut style so cute? Hopefully this is the wholesome goodness I need when it’s dark and cold and awful out (I may not be a big fan of winter…).
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
Is this a wintery book? Not based on what I’ve heard, but I have been waiting FOREVER to get my hands on it, and funny enough, I recently won a giveaway for it! So it’s very high up on my TBR, and has me SUPER EXCITED. Plus, it’s a long read (I think Goodreads says the hardcover copy is over 500 pages), which is the best kind of read when there’s too much snow to go anywhere or do anything. It’s the perfect excuse to stay in bed all day!
What are you recommended winter reads? Or, if you’re like me and struggle to find wintery reads, what are you planning to read this winter? Take Shanah’s challenge, share it with the blogging world! Just do it!
Love this list! I also have problems finding any wintery reads from my shelves, apart from Bear and The Nightingale. You had so many good ones in here and I added Huntress, The Girl King and The Seafarers Kiss on my TBR!! Also it’s nice to know that I’m not the only one in planet Earth who hasn’t gotten to Children of Blood and Bone yet 😂
Ooh, I keep hearing about that one. Is it any good? But yay, I’m glad you found new things for the TBR! 😁
Haha, it’s not just you! Though I’m expecting to read it over my winter break next month…
Oh no I have to pick up Children of Blood and Bone soon then so that I’m not the only one who is missing the hype-train 😂
I really loved Bear and the Nightingale, I highly recommend it! It’s set in middle aged Russia and the winters are intense.
Hurry, hurry! Lol.
OOOOOOH I’ll look into that, then!
Bwahaha Meaghan I still have to make my list but I have the same problem. Now back to yours Childre of and Blood and Bones is fantastic so enjoy!
Glad to hear we’re all in the same boat here haha! And I’m planning to! I actually won a copy in a giveaway and I’ll have time for it next month. ❤
I had serious problems finding winter books too!! Why does YA hate winter so much?!? It’s a perfectly lovely season! Lol. But I’m dying to read Children of Blood and Bone and The Walking Forest too! I hope they’re awesome 😃
I’m going to have to disagree with you on “lovely” lol. It’s cold and I’d like the sun back. But yeah, there just isn’t much winter YA and you’d think there would be!
Me toooo! I’ve been dying to read both. Fingers crossed! I hope you get a chance to read them as well! 😊
hahaha so true. It’s only lovely when you’re inside and warm and can look out your window at it 😂
Exactly! I’ll take my winter with a side of eighteen blankets, a cozy fireplace, and no reason to leave the house, thank you very much. 😂
Children of Blood and Bone is on my TBR as well – hope you enjoy!
Fingers crossed! I’m hoping to get to it next month. 😊
I’ll keep an eye out for your thoughts!
I had the same trouble finding wintery reads! So much based in summer (I guess since there is no school, so the protagonist is free from classes to get up to crazy mischief) and some fall and spring (back to school adventures and spring romances) but no one really wants winter struggles. I would be interested in seeing more come out though!
You know, that makes a lot of sense! I read mostly fantasy, so I hadn’t though about school timing, but you’re totally right. I bet that has something to do with it!
With fantasy it does make sense too … the author would have so much more trouble planning out shelter, and clothing, finding food, etc. Just the scenes for Nina after the shipwreck in Six of Crows (if you’ve read that) were so arduous. We want the pretty snow, but for the characters, it’s all freezing death haha.
Oh yeah, I remember that. Granted, that’s supposed to be really far north, but managing winter is a big load on the brain. So much easier to avoid it lol.
Oh I definitely agree with that. I avoid winter as much as possible in the real world.
*adds more books to get TBR* 📚📚
That’s the goal, isn’t it? 😉
Yes… also to be crushed by it if it falls over and/or go bankrupt in the process…?
That sounds about right! I’ll take being crushed by my TBR any day if it means I still have money for more books, though.
Nice selection. I like sci-fi and fantasy for winter. I’m weird.
You’re not weird! Scifi and fantasy are great for winter. 🙂
Great! Now I don’t feel so bad. I’m doing time travel and immortality on my blog for December.
OOOOH time travel is one of my personal favorites. I’ll have to keep an eye out!
I feel like Children of Blood and Bone would be a really good one to read in winter! The magical element makes it feel perfect for this time of the year!
Great list 😊
I’ll just have to find out, won’t I? And thank you!
I hope you enjoy it!
Me too!