Prepare Your Blanket and Hot Cocoa – It's Reading Time!
Let’s set the scene: the snow is falling softly outside your window, the smell of cinnamon and hot chocolate fills the air, and you're snuggled up under a cozy blanket, ready for the perfect winter read. There's something magical about curling up with a good book when it’s chilly outside. Winter practically begs for it! But let’s be honest—choosing the right book to accompany your winter hibernation can be as tricky as walking across an icy sidewalk in heels.
Fear not, dear book lover! We’ve scoured Goodreads to find the top-rated winter reads (you’re welcome!)—so you won’t have to spend your precious reading time hunting for the best ones. Each book on this list has a minimum 3.9-star rating (in this writing moment), which means you’re in for a cozy, highly praised reading experience. Plus, I’ve added some bonus recommendations—if you loved certain popular books, these will be right up your alley.
Grab that hot cocoa, wrap yourself in that oversized blanket, and get ready to cozy up with these must-read winter books.
1. The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden (4.1 Goodreads Rating)
Yes, if you read the blog, you've stumbled upon this one before, but I am shameless. If you love fairy tales, mythology, and a strong heroine, The Bear and the Nightingale will wrap you in its icy grip and never let go. Vasilisa grows up in a remote Russian village where her ability to see magical creatures is both a gift and a curse. As Christian beliefs clash with ancient folk traditions, something dark awakens in the woods, threatening her family and her village. Arden's lush descriptions make the Russian wilderness come alive, and the blend of folklore and magic feels both timeless and fresh.
Perfect for fans of: Uprooted by Naomi Novik or The Winternight Trilogy. If you enjoy dark, wintry tales filled with magic and folklore, this is the book for you.
2. One Day in December by Josie Silver (3.9 Goodreads Rating)
This heartwarming love story will make you believe in fate, even if you’ve been a bit of a cynic lately. Laurie isn’t looking for love, but when she locks eyes with a stranger from the window of a bus, she knows she’s found "the one." The problem? She never gets the chance to meet him—until a year later, when he turns up as her best friend’s boyfriend. One Day in December follows Laurie over a decade of love, heartbreak, and the occasional (OK, more like frequent) awkward encounter. It’s perfect if you’re craving a swoon-worthy romance that doesn’t shy away from life’s messier moments.
Perfect for fans of: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. If you love a romantic story with realistic highs and lows, this one will hit all the right notes.
3. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (4.1 Goodreads Rating)
Set in the unforgiving yet breathtaking landscape of 1920s Alaska, The Snow Child tells the story of Jack and Mabel, a couple struggling to make a new life for themselves. After a snowfall, they build a child out of snow, only for a mysterious little girl to appear in their woods. Is she a magical being brought to life, or just an orphan living in the wilderness? This enchanting, deeply emotional novel weaves together themes of love, loss, and the healing power of nature. It’s a perfect winter read if you want something atmospheric and filled with quiet, reflective magic.
Perfect for fans of: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. If you loved a story set in nature with rich emotional depth, The Snow Child will be your next favorite.
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (4.1 Goodreads Rating)
The circus arrives without warning. The Night Circus is unlike any other circus—this one is entirely magical, from the tents to the performers. At the heart of the circus is a fierce competition between two illusionists, Celia and Marco, who have been trained for this duel since childhood. However, their fates become entangled in a way neither expected. Full of wonder, romance, and breathtaking magic, Morgenstern’s debut novel will transport you to a world where anything is possible. The gorgeous, atmospheric writing will make you feel as though you’re walking among the circus tents yourself, all while wrapped up in the warmest blanket you own.
Perfect for fans of: Caraval by Stephanie Garber. If you enjoy atmospheric, whimsical stories with magical competitions and a touch of romance, this is a must-read.
5. The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley (4.2 Goodreads Rating)
This novel effortlessly blends historical fiction with a touch of romance and a sprinkle of the supernatural. Carrie McClelland is a writer struggling with her latest book, which is set in early 18th-century Scotland during the Jacobite uprising. As she researches Slains Castle, she begins to experience memories that seem too real to be fiction. With its dual timelines, one in the present day and the other in the 1700s, The Winter Sea is perfect for fans of time-slip novels. Kearsley’s vivid descriptions of the Scottish coast and the castles will make you feel like you’re standing by the stormy sea, while the unfolding mystery will keep you captivated.
Perfect for fans of: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. If you love sweeping historical fiction with romance and a hint of time travel, this book will sweep you off your feet.
6. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (4.1 Goodreads Rating)
Naomi Novik takes the essence of the Rumpelstiltskin tale and spins it into a rich, multi-layered fantasy that tackles themes of power, family, and the price of greed. Miryem, the daughter of a moneylender, discovers that she has a gift for turning silver into gold—literally. Her ability catches the attention of a cold, sinister Staryk king, and soon, she’s drawn into a world where winter reigns supreme and magic is dangerous. Spinning Silver intertwines the stories of three women, each facing their own battles, and the result is a beautifully crafted, deeply immersive novel. You’ll be rooting for the heroines as they navigate a world as cold and cruel as winter itself.
Perfect for fans of: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden. If you’re drawn to richly written, dark, magical tales, this book will be your new favorite.
7. The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell (3.9 Goodreads Rating)
For those who like their winter reads with a dash of gothic horror, The Silent Companions is the ultimate cozy-but-creepy book to curl up with. Newly widowed Elsie moves into her late husband’s crumbling country estate, hoping for some peace. What she finds instead are strange, life-sized wooden figures that seem to have a life of their own. As the eerie happenings escalate, Elsie must confront dark secrets hidden in the house’s history. Purcell weaves a chilling, atmospheric story that will make you question every creak in your own house. If you love a slow-burning mystery with a side of haunted-house vibes, this is the perfect winter read.
Perfect for fans of: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. If you enjoy spine-tingling, atmospheric gothic horror, this will be right up your alley.
8. The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty (4.2 Goodreads Rating)
For a winter read that’s bursting with magic, political intrigue, and epic world-building, dive into The City of Brass. This novel is set in 18th-century Cairo, where Nahri, a con artist with healing powers, accidentally summons a djinn warrior during one of her scams. She’s whisked away to the magical city of Daevabad, where ancient feuds between djinn tribes and hidden secrets threaten her newfound place. Chakraborty’s writing is rich and immersive, perfect for readers who want to escape into a completely different world while they snuggle up during the winter months.
Perfect for fans of: The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh or The Golem and the Jinni by Helene Wecker. If you love intricate world-building, folklore, and morally complex characters, this book is a must-read.