10 books to add to your winter reading list
IMAGE VIA @AMANDA_MONTELL/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY JULIA KITTELTY
Escape the cold with a captivating new read.
When I think of winter, I picture myself curled up on my couch in a fuzzy blanket, book in hand. And if you’re like me, your social media feeds are full of recommendations. Some are great, some definitely aren’t so great. Reading is such a subjective experience that it can be hard to know who to trust when they say “You simply must read this book!”.
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That’s why I’ve done the hard work for you. Below is a curated list of books of varying subject matter, tone and length to help you through those dreary winter days. Whether you’re after historical fiction, a new literary novel or a collection of short stories to lose yourself in, there’s something for every type of reader on this list.
Devotion by Hannah Kent
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Starting off strong with some queer Australian fiction, Devotion follows Hanne, a young girl living in 1800s Prussia, as she and her family make the trek by sea to the Australian colonies. Kent deftly intertwines historical fiction and magical realism, and her prose is lyrical, engrossing and a joy to read.
Grab a copy here.
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Set in modern-day Ireland, The Bee Sting follows the Barnes family, whose once-famous fortune has dwindled to the point where their lives are on the verge of falling apart. Tensions are high and decisions must be made. A masterclass in character, Murray manages to enter the psyche of each different family member with remarkable subtlety and tenderness.
Grab a copy here.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
If you’re after a literary cult classic, look no further. Tartt’s most famous novel, published in the early ’90s, follows college student Richard as he finds himself embroiled in scandal, secrecy and murder while navigating life on campus at one of Vermont’s most prestigious schools. Easily swept up in the lives of those more fortunate than him, Richard must ask himself where his loyalty truly lies. A mystery of epic proportions, this one will keep you hooked from cover to cover.
Grab a copy here.
Babel by R F Kuang
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If you’re intrigued by fantasy but not sure where to start, you’ve found your next read. Written by the author of Yellowface, Babel follows Robin, a young Chinese boy who’s plucked from his family by an English professor to study language at Babel Tower, Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation. A work of speculative historical fiction, the novel explores the power that translation holds, and what happens when that power is used irresponsibly.
Grab a copy here.
Free Therapy by Rebecca Ivory
If novels aren’t your style, maybe it’s time to give short stories a go. Ivory cleverly explores the lives of multiple women who all know that something is not quite right, but just aren’t quite sure what to do about it. What happens when you’re chronically self-aware, too well-versed in therapy speak or you’ve intellectualised every facet of your life?
Grab a copy here.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
In what will surely become an American classic, Kingsolver explores with delicate and clever storytelling the impact of the opioid epidemic on Appalachia in the ’80s and ’90s. A modern retelling of the classic David Copperfield, we follow Demon, nicknamed for his fiery hair, through his childhood and adolescence in a world that does him and those around him no favours. This one is hard to put down.
Grab a copy here.
Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly
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A story about queerness, family and multiracial identity, Reilly has written a tender love letter to loss, growth and finding your way. Greta and Valdin are siblings who live together, lean on each other and have a tendency to lose those they love just as things start to get serious. Will they figure out how to hold each other down, or will things fall apart, just as they always do?
Grab a copy here.
Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
If you liked My Year of Rest and Relaxation, you’ll love this. In her usual eerie style, Moshfegh follows Eileen, a young girl living in 1960s America. Eileen is deathly bored. She’s bored with her dad, her house, her town, her clothes. She’s especially bored of her job as a receptionist at her local prison. Then one day, Rebecca shows up, and Eileen’s life will never be the same.
Grab a copy here.
Penance by Eliza Clark
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Tumblr girlies, this one’s for you. Penance is an enthralling murder mystery and an investigation into girlhood and adolescence all at once, and it’s beautifully done. The novel follows multiple young girls through the turbulence of high school, online subcultures and small-town politics. It’s one I wish I could read again for the first time.
Grab a copy here.
The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda Montell
If fiction’s not your thing, Amanda Montell has you covered. Ever wondered what all that time scrolling has done to your brain? How much Taylor Swift content is too much? At what point does advice on the internet become self-serving rather than helpful? Are we all the main characters? Montell cleverly unpacks modern online discourse, cognitive biases and content overload in an engaging, hilarious and digestible way.
Grab a copy here.
For more book recommendations, head here.
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