Winter TBR

Like always, winter comes with the excitement of quiet, cozy nights with a good book in hand. I am one to go out for drinks on the odd occasion, and sometimes I like to have a little list of books I’m pumped to try out for the season. Some include new releases, and some are just books that give a wintery vibe. Of course, it wouldn’t be a TBR without a few books from my shelf that I have yet to read. Sometimes a book set in summer is just what you need for those cold winter mornings when you don’t want to get out of bed. Pretend you are somewhere else instead.

I find myself searching for small-town comfort reads, with the occasional slice of magical realism and whimsy. Atmospheric novels that have a sense of relaxation and peace, rather than the intense books of a busier season filled with warm-weather activities.

Here are five books that are on my winter TBR.

Fever Dream written by Elsie Silver

As a big fan of Elsie Silver, whenever there is a new release, I’m definitely going to be adding it to my TBR. Fever Dream is the beginning of a new series, set in the small town of Emerald Lake. After seeing how Chestnut Springs, Rose Hill, and Ruby Creek developed into the fictional dreamlands that I know we all want to visit, the idea of delving into another Elsie Silver universe is quite exciting. Theo Silva is one of my favourite MMC’s in Elsie’s universe, so having a book that revolves around his sister and his nemesis is such an interesting concept. I can’t wait to see what happens. From the blurb and a quick peek into the first chapter, the vibes of the book seem to be similar to the movie ‘The Wrong Paris’ with Miranda Cosgrove, which was a cheesy rom-com that I actually really enjoyed. The concept of a reality show set on a ranch, with a cowboy as the bachelor, seems brilliant. I know Elsie won’t let us down with this one.

Just Friends written by Haley Pham

Despite this being the least winter-appropriate book ever, it is a book I have been meaning to read. I have been subscribed to Haley for a long while, and when I found out she was writing a book, I knew it had to have a place on my shelf. Following her writing journey on YouTube in anticipation of its release, her process was fascinating. Not many authors truly showcase their route to publication, and it gave a very interesting insight into how to actually write and edit a novel. I also heard that Emily Henry was a massive inspiration to her writing process. Emily Henry is a favourite author of mine, her novels inspiring feelings of both giddiness and deep emotion. They are rom-coms with damaged characters, and from a quick peek at the first couple of pages of Haley’s novel, it seems to have a similar vibe to it. It is a love story, but life isn’t always perfect, which are themes that a lot of romance authors kind of forget when forming a story between two characters.

The Catch written by Amy Lea

Again, this is not by any means a winter novel. But it feels like it. Supposedly set late August, The Catch is meant to be a story of late-summer, hiking and campfires. To me? It felt like the season was slowly moving into winter. Yes, you heard that right, I have actually already read this book, and I quite enjoyed it. I’m the kind of reader that will reread even my three-star books because I am a sucker for a comfort read. Amy Lea writes in a way that is super cozy, but also low stakes, so I know that whatever happens in her books I’m going to enjoy peacefully. To me, The Catch feels like walking by the pier, cold winter winds blowing in from the ocean, hoodies with jackets over the top and spotting whales out in the distant grey sea. I strongly believe that interpretation overcomes whatever setting the author set out to achieve. If it feels like winter to me, then it becomes winter in my mind, and the setting adjusts to fit those parameters. That’s the creativity that comes with reading, and by extension, art itself. Every person will interpret it a little differently, and that’s what makes it magical.

King of Gluttony written by Ana Huang

I will admit, I haven’t read an Ana Huang novel for quite a few months until I cracked open King of Envy this May. Like most things, I tend to drift from one passion to another, and after reigniting my interest in the Kings of Sin universe, I’m excited to get onto the next novel of the series. Throughout the series (particularly in King of Envy), we have met the leading characters, and this enemies-to-lovers storyline that Ana tends to write about never gets old. Maya was such a sweet character in King of Envy, and knowing that we are about to see her own enemies-to-lovers book is a well-deserved storyline for her. Additionally, the whole trope seems to work so well in this Billionaire Kings of Sin series because it adds to the unrealism of a world that so many cannot relate to. It’s like reading a fantasy novel, because there’s no way this actually happens in real life. The interconnectedness of the series has done exactly what Huang set out to achieve: it has built anticipation and excitement for her latest releases.

Expected Release: 16 June

The Someday Garden written by Ashley Poston

I own precisely one Ashley Poston book, and I have never read it. But remembering my childhood and the books I once adored, the magical realism stood out to me. Being a little girl imagining the world with a touch of magic and endless possibilities, these kinds of stories stood out to me. Having an adult version of this is exactly what I’m looking for to read this season. Adoring rom-coms and romance fiction is one thing, but sprinkling in a little bit of whimsy is exactly what we need this winter. I’m going to be thinking of spring and what is going to appear in my own garden at the end of the cold, dark season. The Someday Garden feels like a little bit of escapism that blends reality with tiny touches of magic, especially during winter when everything feels slower and quieter.