Curling up with a hot drink and a good book is a diversion perfectly suited for the cold, dark days of winter—especially if you’re on break from high school or college. To help get you started, we’ve compiled a list of great winter reads from a range of genres. Whether you’re partial to a rousing romance, a scary story, a harrowing whodunit, or a compelling classic, there’s a book on this list you will enjoy.
Some Like it Cold by Elle McNicoll
Some Like it Cold is a small-town romance guaranteed to melt your heart. The novel follows 18-year-old Jasper Montgomery as she returns home for the holidays one last time before leaving for good. While there, she reconnects with her former nemesis Arthur Lancaster, and soon sparks begin to fly. Author Elle McNicoll modeled the main character’s neurodivergence on her own journey with autism, helping bring awareness to her community. Since this is a YA novel, readers of all ages can feel comfortable while reading it!
Cover image courtesy of Macmillan Publishers
Kissing Christmas Goodbye by M.C. Beaton
Despite the romantic sound of the title, 
Kissing Christmas Goodbye by M.C. Beaton is a murder mystery. The story follows Agatha Raisin, a public relations specialist turned private investigator, as she attempts to track down the murderer of a wealthy widow. Like the rest of the Agatha Raisin series (which you don’t have to read in order), this book is an easy read that’s full of wit and page-turning mystery. While any Agatha Raisin book would make for a nice winter read, since this novel is set during Christmastime, it is all the more perfect if you celebrate! If you enjoy the book, you can also watch the TV adaptation on Acorn.
Cover image courtesy of Macmillan Publishers
Related: 6 Great Book Recommendations Based on Popular College Majors
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
You won’t be able to put down this exciting mystery from Holly Jackson. A Goo
d Girl’s Guide to Murder focuses on a five-year-old murder in the town of Fairview, where everybody is sure that Sal Singh killed his girlfriend Andie Bell and then himself—that is, everybody except high school senior Pippa Fitz-Amobi. Pippa is convinced somebody else committed the crime and sets out to discover their identity for a school project with the aid of Sal’s younger brother, Ravi. AGGTM (as the fans call it) has become very popular, first blowing up on TikTok and then getting adapted for television by Netflix. The hype surrounding this mystery is completely warranted, and I promise that you’ll finish this book in record time!
Cover image courtesy of Delacourt Press
The Shining by Stephen King
While people typically associate horror novels with Halloween, Stephen King’s iconic book 
The Shining takes place during winter. Jack Torrance relocates his family to the Overlook Hotel in the Rockies after being hired as the winter caretaker. Unbeknownst to him and his wife, Wendy, their son, Danny, has psychic abilities, that cause powerful supernatural events at the now snowed-in and secluded hotel. King captures the ensuing chaos masterfully, giving the reader a sense of horror and dread that builds until the stunning climax of the novel. If you're craving a chilling experience over break, crack open The Shining. When you finish the book, you can compare it to Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film adaptation (even if King doesn’t like it himself).
Cover image courtesy of Knopf Doubleday and Penguin Random House
Homer’s The Odyssey
The winter is a great time to take on a more scholarly piece of literature. For an exciting read that will let you escape to the world of ancient Greece, check out The Odyssey. This epic poem follows Odysseus’s 10-year journey home from the Trojan War. As the work is quite dense, you can take the entire winter to enjoy Odysseus's adventures. In the end, you’ll understand why this ancient classic has withstood the test of time and been enjoyed by generations of readers.
Cover image courtesy of Penguin Classics by Penguin Random House
Related: 5 of the Best Modern Adaptations of Academic Literature
Nowadays, reading is often kicked to the curb in favor of other entertainment options. If you’re someone who has been neglecting reading for pleasure, do not despair—winter is truly one of the best times to crack open a good book. Whether you’re interested in classics, romance, or even horror, there is a book out there to suit your needs! We hope this list has inspired you to choose your next great winter read.
The reading recs don’t end here! Check out our “book recommendations” tag to add to your list all year long.
