Books
11 Books You Can Read In One Sitting That Are Perfect For When It's Freezing Outside
Winter isn't just coming anymore — she is here and ready to show the east coast exactly what she is made of. If you find yourself in the path of this week's wild weather, you better get ready to batten down the hatches and make sure you have one of these books to help get you through the bomb cyclone, or whatever else winter 2018 has to throw at you.
The winter seems like such a magical time of year. That is, until after the holidays when twinkle lights and Christmas trees are replaced with sub-zero temperatures and feet upon feet of frozen snow. As a born-and-raised Massachusetts girl, I know there is only one thing to do when that notorious winter weather starts bearing down on me: stay inside with warm blankets, strong wine, and good books.
With the first major storm of the season headed its way directly towards me, I have already stated putting together the *perfect* list to help get me through. Filled with plenty of action, fantasy, romance, suspense, and thrill, these binge-worthy reads will help me forget all about the frozen tundra that is my home, and instead let me escape to a place where there is no shoveling necessary.
Whether you're going to be affected by the already infamous bomb cyclone headed to the east coast, or just looking for a good excuse to stay inside all day, these 11 books are perfect to help you weather the winter all season long.
'The Woman in the Window' by A.J. Finn
If the winter weather isn't enough to give you the chills, A.J. Finn's new Hitchcockian thriller certainly is. It has been ten months since Anna , a child psychologist suffering from agoraphobia, has left her New York home. When she isn't busy drinking or taking pills, she is obsessively watching her picture-perfect neighbors through her window. That is, until one night when she witnesses an event that changes everything, and sets her down a dangerous path to discover the truth about what she did, or didn't, see. A smart and addictive read with a twist you won't see coming, The Woman in the Window will keep you turning pages all blizzard long.
'Chainbreaker' by Tara Sim
The fantastical adventures of clock mechanic Danny Hart continue in Chainbreaker, the second installment in Tara Sim's bestselling LGBTQ steampunk romance series. All over India, clock towers have begun to fall, and it is up to Danny and his fellow apprentice Daphne to find out who, or what, is behind the attacks. When Colton's vivid dreaming reveal a dark secrets from the past, both he and Danny find themselves on a dangerous journey that could change their lives forever. A wonderfully diverse read with unforgettable characters you can't help but root for, the Timekeeper series is the perfect way to, well, pass the time while you wait out the storm.
'Love and Other Train Wrecks' by Leah Konen
What better way to spend the snow day than on an adventure with two love-struck teens caught in whirlwind weather and a romance to match? In Love and Other Train Wrecks, Noah and Ammy find themselves stuck on a broken down train in the middle of a snowstorm. Their first impression of each other was not great, but now, the two polar opposites must rely on one another if they have any hope of making it to their destinations. A sweet and sentimental story that will make you swoon, Love and Other Train Wrecks is a fun read that will remind you how romantic winter can be.
'Three Daughters of Eve' by Elif Shafak
In this beautiful literary novel, readers follow Peri, a gorgeous and wealthy Turkish woman, over the course over one evening that changes her entire world. On her way to a party, Peri has a struggle with a beggar that sends her down a rabbit hole of memories she would rather keep buried. At the party, she fights against her past as terrorist attacks break out a across the city. A lush and intriguing read, Three Daughters of Eve will have you hanging on to every page.
'A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea' by Masaji Ishikawa
In A River in Darkness, readers will find themselves hanging on every word of Masaji Ishikawa's unbelievable true story about escaping North Korea. Born in Japan, half-Korean, half-Japanese man Masaji moved to North Korea with his family when he was 13 years old. For nearly four decades, he suffered under the dangerous regime that he ultimately barely escaped from with his life. Moving and inspiring, A River in Darkness is the kind of story that will stay with you long after you've read its last page.
'Promise Not to Tell' by Jayne Anne Krentz
Romance, suspense, cults — what more could you want in a snow day binge read? In Promise Not to Tell, art gallery owner Virginia Troy has tried to leave her past as a member of a violent cult, one that claimed her mother's life, behind her. But when one of her artists supposedly commits suicide, she suspects something in her childhood holds the key to uncovering the truth behind her death, and enlists Private Investigator Cabot Sutter, another survivor of the cult, to help. A action-packed thrill tide that will keep you guessing, Promise Not to Tell is the perfect blend of romance and suspense to keep you entertained all day long.
'Record of a Night Too Brief' by Hiromi Kawakami
Why settle for just one story when you can get lost in three utterly unforgettable ones instead? In Record of a Night Too Brief, contemporary Japanese author Hiromi Kawakami weaves three haunting tales about young women's experience with love, romance, sensuality, loss, and heartbreak. Beautiful and lyrical, these dreamy narratives will draw you in and make you forget about the world outside your window.
'The Music Shop' by Rachel Joyce
Travel back in time to 1988 in The Music Shop, a sweet and romantic story about connection, healing, and the power of music. Frank, the owner of a music shop, is particularly good at his job helping people find exactly what they need. When a young woman, Ilse, comes in seeking his help, however, Frank begins to question what their relationship could mean, and whether or not he is ready for that kind of connection. A fun and quirky read with equally fun and quirky characters, The Music Shop is a lovely way to escape real-life and get lost in something more beautiful.
'The Enchantress of Numbers: A Novel of Ada Lovelace' by Jennifer Chiaverini
The weather outside may be frightful, but this story of feminist icon Ada Lovelace is so delightful, you'll forget all about it. Enchantress of Numbers takes readers back in time to explore the fascinating life of the world's first computer programmer, the Countess of Lovelace. Emotionally evocative and rich in detail, this historical novel will keep you enthralled until the very end.
'Death Below Stairs' by Jennifer Ashley
When skilled chef Kat Holloway takes a job at the Mayfair mansion, she is able to ignore her new employer Lord Rankin's odd behaviors — that is, until her assistant is murdered under the stairs. Together with the help of Daniel McAdam, a delivery man who is much more that he appears, and Lord Rankin's genius sister-in-law, Kat quickly discovers her assistant's murder is the least of their worries, because there is a much bigger plot in motion, one that could very well threaten the crown. A smart and suspenseful read, Death Below Stairs is a fun series launch that will leave you wanting more.
'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black
Forget about the polar vortex and instead get lost in a fantastical world of faeries and dark magic with the latest YA from bestselling author Holly Black. In The Cruel Prince, 17-year-old human girl Jude feels like she belongs in the High Court of Faerie, a place she has been living for a decade ever since her parents were murdered and she and her sister were stolen. The real fey, including Prince Cardan, disagree, however, and will stop at nothing to make sure humans like her never win a place in the court. How far will Jude go to prove them wrong? A rich and evocative read with a heroine you won't be able to get forget, The Cruel Prince is the perfect way to escape the day.
