Book Recommendations for Winter
As the weather grows colder, a great winter activity is to get cozy in bed and read some books. Whether you prefer suspenseful mysteries or heartwarming romances, there are many options that are perfect for this season.
“The Memory Police” by Yōko Ogawa is a haunting and chilling dystopian story reminiscent of George Orwell’s “1984.” It is about a young woman living on an island where periodically, a different object is erased from the memory of the citizens. This is enforced by the “Memory Police.” Unlike many other books in the dystopian genre, “The Memory Police” is not about revolution and overthrowing the government. Instead, it is a solemn story that is meant to be thought-provoking and somewhat strange at times. The book was originally written in Japanese in 1994 and the English translation was released in 2019.
“Words in Deep Blue” by Cath Crowley is a romance novel about two teenagers reuniting after one of them experiences a great loss. The characters have authentic discussions about life, love, grief, death, and the power of words. The story also revolves around the bookstore they work at, which has a shelf called the “Letter Library,” where readers can leave notes in books to express their feelings. With likeable, imperfect characters and several layers of stories, “Words in Deep Blue” is a moving and emotional book that is likely to stick with readers well after the final page.
“Girls With Sharp Sticks” by Suzanne Young is a mysterious, suspenseful, and thrilling story with many feminist themes. It is about young girls who attend a controlling boarding school meant to shape them into being beautiful and obedient. Throughout the book, which is the first of a trilogy, the girls uncover the dark secrets behind the academy. Filled with twists and turns, “Girls With Sharp Sticks” is an engrossing mystery that will keep the readers hooked. It includes many messages about defiance, empowerment, and fighting back against one’s oppressors.
“The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue” by V. E. Schwab is about a woman living in the 1700s who is cursed by a god to live forever but be forgotten by every person she meets--until one day, 300 years later in New York City, when she meets someone who remembers her. The reader follows Addie as the story flips back and forth from her past, as she uncovers ways to make her mark on the world by inspiring art, to the present in 2016, as she falls in love with the one person who is somehow immune to her curse.
These are just a few of many books that readers can enjoy during these chilly months and that will get them into the mood of winter.
