Entertainment
Winter is . . . well, it’s here, and you know what that means. Chilly temperatures and dreary weather make the prospect of curling up with a good book more appealing than ever. After all, escaping into a great read is the next best thing to hibernation. And there are tons of great books to read this winter, even though we’ll have to wait a bit for The Winds of Winter to arrive. (I hope Mr. Martin releases this one before I forget all the secondary characters!)
The long evenings are a great time to seek out new authors or explore different genres. Losing yourself in a high fantasy series or thrilling mystery novel is a great way to forget about the bracing cold for a few hours. Add a nice fire and mug of hot tea to this scenario and you have one cozy evening in store.
Whether you like mystery novels or inspiring athlete stories, this list has you covered. From the firsthand account of an Iditarod racer to the mind-blowing history behind HeLa cells, these reads will have you burning through the midnight oil for nights on end. So read on to find the perfect literary companion to see you through the rest of the winter months.
1
'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold' by John Le Carré
As far as espionage stories are concerned, John le Carré's The Spy Who Came In From The Cold is an absolute classic. And with good reason. It has double agents, political intrigue, and an impossible-to-guess plot. As soon as the action unfolds in Cold War Berlin, you'll be riveted until the end.
2
'The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks' by Rebecca Skloot
Ready for a mind-blowing read? Rebecca Skloot's The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a story of medical ethics, race, and family relations. The cells of Henrietta Lacks, a black woman who died of cancer in 1951, were harvested after her death and used in the development of the polio vaccine, gene mapping, and more giant medical breakthroughs. Skloot covers the importance of these HeLa cells, as well as the way Lacks' family deals with their mothers' legacy.
3
'Hyperbole and A Half' by Allie Brosh
Are you a fan of "the alot"? Allie Brosh, talented creator of the popular blog, further explores her unique approach to the world in the Hyperbole and a Half book. Her self-deprecating and charmingly illustrated anecdotes will keep you enthralled for the whole read.
4
'Winterdance' by Gary Paulsen
You might remember Gary Paulsen, author of Hatchet, from your middle school reading days. Winterdance is his account of running the Iditarod with a dogsled team, and he recounts adventures with snowstorms, wild animals, and sleeplessness. His candid and often hilarious story will give you a new take on this iconic race.
5
'My Fight / Your Fight' by Rona Rousey
Want to channel your inner bad*ss? This might be the ticket. My Fight / Your Fight, Ronda Rousey's official book, chronicles the judo Olympic medalist's path to UFC championship and stardom. It's a witty, inspiring study in overcoming obstacles and fighting for what you want.
6
'Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
Set in wintry northern Scotland, Rosamunde Pilcher's Winter Solstice is the story of five characters who are brought together on the shortest day of the year. The characters include a musician who has sacrificed his career, a woman dealing with the fallout of an affair, and a former stage star who struggles with loneliness.
7
'The Witches: Salem, 1692' by Stacy Schiff
In The Witches, Pulitzer-Prize winner Stacy Schiff explores one of the stranger episodes in American history: the Salem With Trials. The events began in one harsh Massachusetts winter, and at the height of the panic, rampant accusations of witchcraft spread through the community. But what was the real story behind this weird epidemic?
8
'Notorious RBG: The Life and Times Of Ruth Bader Ginsburg' by Irin Carmon & Shana Knizhnik
Irin Carmon and Shana Knizhnik have put together what may be the most entertaining biography of a Supreme Court Justice to date. Notorious RBG uses interviews, rare photographs, and dissents to tell the story of this chutzpah-having pioneer.
9
'A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms' by George R. R. artin
As we impatiently await the next installment in his masterpiece, there's a lot to enjoy in George R. R. Martin's A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which is a prequel to the A Song of Ice and Fire series. This illustrated collection of novellas includes everything that's made Martin's world so enticing: knights, dragons, and drama.
Images: berc/Fotolia
