6 perfect winter reads
Winter is the absolute best season for reading, if you ask us. There’s nothing better than curling up in bed with a great read and hot drink while the wind and rain lash against the windows. Here are 6 of our favourite books to read when the temperatures drop.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The first instalment of Larsson’s critically-acclaimed, best-selling Millennium trilogy is the perfect book to keep you on the edge of your seat. Set mostly in the stark, freezing city of Stockholm, Sweden, this book might take a bit longer to get into than others, but we can guarantee it’s worth it.
The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien
Transport yourself to another world, filled with hobbits, dragons, dwarves, elves and countless more. There’s a reason Tolkien’s prequel to The Lord of the Rings is so hugely popular – it’ll make a fan out of even the staunchest fantasy fiction hater. It's also a much easier way to get your fill of Middle Earth than The Lord of the Rings (which will keep you busy for over 1,000 pages).
Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak
Any novel set in Russia is going to evoke wintery feelings, but Doctor Zhivago in particular is a classic. Covering all the years from 1903 to World War II, this epic tale was hugely controversial at the time. Plus, as an added bonus, you can watch the great 1965 film adaptation starring Omar Sharif and Julie Christie afterwards.
You’ve probably heard of the film from which this novel is adapted, given that it received an impressive four nominations at this year’s Academy Awards. Set in – you guessed it! – a room, the story was inspired by the Joseph Fritzl case. Sounds grim, but this is a tale of survival and hope, even in the darkest of times.
A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
If you’re a fan of the hit show Game of Thrones, don’t think it’s not worth reading the books they’re based on. The first instalment of his A Song of Ice and Fire series, Martin’s sprawling high-fantasy world will blow you away with its intricate plots and multi-dimensional characters.
It’s widely regarded as King’s best novel, and if you haven’t already read The Shining, winter is the perfect time to do so. Set in the isolated and icy Overlook Hotel, this book (which inspired the iconic movie starring Jack Nicholson) will give you goose bumps.
What’s your favourite cold weather read? Share it with us in the comments below.
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