Welcome back to White Rose of Avalon, my Darlings. Today’s post is a list of book recommendations based on your mood to get you feeling warm and cozy this Winter! For the purposes of this post, I have come up with five distinct moods and a recommendation for each. I thought this would be a fun way to give some Wintery reading recommendations.
MOOD: I want a timeless holiday fairytale.
The Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas
~This is the Dumas adaptation of the original E.T.A. Hoffman story, but the Hoffman original is also a great read. I find the Dumas retelling to be much more cozy, plus it was the Dumas adaptation that inspired the Ballet! Extra cozy bonus points if you listen to The Nutcracker Ballet music while reading this one.
MOOD: I want a nostalgic read with lots of magic.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Philosopher’s Stone) by J.K. Rowling
~The beginning of the Harry Potter series always feels very cozy to read, and the imagery from the first two films is incredibly holiday feeling in general, making the early books in the series a great read for the Winter!
MOOD: I want a dark and brooding story for the Dark Half of the Year.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
~Obviously, I have written many, many times about my adoration for this novel! It is one of my all-time favorite books, and I tend to read it annually or at least every two years. The story of Cathy and Heathcliff is full of dark emotions and brooding energy. However, it fits the Wintery vibes because the opening of the book takes place in a snowstorm, which is what puts the narrator, Mr. Lockwood, in the position to learn the story of Cathy and Heathcliff from Nelly Dean!
MOOD: I want a classic adventure story that takes place during the Yuletide season.
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (any translation)
~I tend to read one translation or another of this classic Arthurian tale each Winter. This year, I will be re-reading the Tolkien translation, which I have not had the pleasure of reading in many years! I have analyzed this tale a lot here on my blog, but suffice it to say that this is the story of Gawain, a Knight at Arthur’s Court (as well as his nephew) who is put to the test when a large Green Knight appears at the Winter festivities.
MOOD: I want a book with romance and a complex plot.
Possession by A.S. Byatt
~The plot of this novel is told with two distinct storylines, the first of two academics researching a possible connection between Victorian poets, and the second the story of the poets themselves! The entire novel is interspersed with poetry, said to be that of the fictional poets, including the parts of a poem one of them wrote about Melusine (giving this novel major bonus points from me). It is a lovely novel that does have scenes in the Winter, making for a great cozy atmosphere. I adore this one for its complexity and the mystery elements of the Victorian novelists slowly being pieced together!
~I hope you have enjoyed these recommendations for cozy Winter reading. Have you read these books? Did you find something new to read? Do you have annual reads for the Winter? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Note on Image: The image at the top of the post is a book in the snow. I found the picture on https://depositphotos.com/photos/books-to-read-in-the-winter.html.
LINK TO AVALONIAN ROSE FAERY MYSTERIES PATREON: patreon.com/AvalonianRoseFaeryMysteries