5 Books to Read This Winter
The Christmas Wager:
The Christmas Wager by Holly Cassidy is a wonderful, cozy romance to read this winter. Cassidy perfectly encompasses the small-town Christmas setting while adding the chaos of competitive games, creating hallmark movie vibes to get you into the Christmas spirit. We follow Bella Ross as she finds herself in an unexpected situation as a Maple Falls Holiday Games member, leading her into the arms of a charming, dog-loving stranger. While this book is a fun holiday read, Cassidy also touches upon the dynamics of an estranged family and grapples with the grief felt due to various forms of loss, balancing light-hearted moments with heavier themes. The resolution is satisfying, leaving the reader with a feeling of warmth – perfect for the holiday season.
Genre: Romance
Page Count: 324
Themes: Christmas, small town, dogs, sports competition, rivals to lovers
Published: Sept. 26, 2023
Final Verdict: 3/5
Before the coffee gets cold:
If you are interested in time travel and stories of regret, missed opportunities, and healing, Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s collection of short stories in Before the coffee gets cold may be right for you. Kawaguchi highlights the importance of living in the moment as you move through each story. There are rules to moving through time that limit the character's experience. Each character who decides to travel back in time makes sense of their situation and goes through their own form of healing to obtain peace. The ambience of the novel feels like the heat from the soft embers of a low fire and a cup of hot cocoa – perfect for reading on a snowy day. As you move through each story, you empathize with the characters and root for their journey in life. While the stories are often sad, Kawaguchi provides an overall positive message of forgiving, letting go, and living in the present.
Genre: Magic Realism
Page Count: 272
Themes: time travel, regret, healing, coffee shop, magic, supernatural
Published: Dec. 6, 2015
Final Verdict: 5/5
The Cruel Prince:
What better time to escape reality than during the cold months of winter? Holly Black offers a great escape in her novel The Cruel Prince. Though it is categorized as fantasy, it is so much more than that. The Cruel Prince explores the influence of cruelty on others. This novel is set in a fantastical land where magic is the norm. We follow the protagonist, Jude, as she goes through life as a human being alongside magical beings. The story has supernatural and magical aspects with underlying themes that we in the real world might relate to such as bullying, loss, and longing to belong. This book is the first in a trilogy where we see each character grow and learn. Overall, Black masterfully provides a break from reality while still using real issues to underlie her novel.
Genre: Political Fantasy
Page Count: 370
Themes: identity, loyalty, betrayal, magic, slow-burn
Published: Jan. 2, 2018
Final Verdict: 4/5
Bunny:
If you like books where interpretation depends on the reader, Bunny by Mona Awad may be your next read. It is hard to say precisely what this book is about, as many readers have different viewpoints. Some believe it is more akin to magical realism, where the events of the books are actually taking place, while others interpret it as more metaphorical. I, on the other hand, believe it’s about mental illness. Through the lens of Samantha, an unreliable narrator, it’s tough to fully grasp what happens until the end, though your experience may be different depending on your interpretation. Overall, Awad has a masterful grip on language and character creation. Her novel is unsettling, leaving the reader uncomfortable and unnerved by the unfolding events in the best way. I encourage all those who are curious to read it and come to your own conclusions.
Genre: Thriller, horror, contemporary
Page Count: 305
Themes: cult, school, writing, left to interpretation, psychological thriller, unreliable narrator
Published: June 11, 2019
Final Verdict: 5/5
Tender is the Flesh:
If you enjoy reading horror/thrillers, check out Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica. Bazterrica creates a gruesome and eerie world that leaves the reader unnerved. In this dystopian novel, eating human flesh is legal and the norm, as all animals have been infected with a virus that renders them inedible. Human beings then become both predators and prey specifically bred for food. Throughout the book, Bazterrica paints disturbing images that aren’t for the faint of heart. At its core, this novel is a commentary on human greed and the inhumanity within the meat industry. Even with its gruesome nature, I enjoyed this book immensely and strongly advise giving it a shot. Personally, I was not expecting the twist at the end, do you think you can spot it?
Genre: Thriller, horror
Page Count: 209
Themes: cannibalism, apocalyptic, privilege, dystopian future, paternity
Published: Nov. 29, 2017
Final Verdict: 4/5
