Cozy Up with these Winter Reads!
As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing better than curling up with a good book. Whether you love the feel of reading a book by the fireplace, the convenience of an e-book for winter travel, or the immersive experience of an audiobook for those crisp, frosty morning walks, we’ve got the perfect titles to keep you cozy this winter. Our collection is filled with titles for everyone, from bone chilling thrillers to whimsical, magical worlds to treasure troves of holiday jokes.
Duke University Libraries makes the winter season cozier with a great selection of e-books and audiobooks. For ease of access to audiobooks, try using the Libby app and connect it to your Duke library account.
For thrill and post-apocalyptic tales:
Moon of the Crusted Snow: A Novel, Waubgeshig Rice
In a remote Anishinaabe community, winter descends as the outside world collapses. Power fails, communication ceases, and survival becomes paramount. As fear and scarcity grow, the community must rely on tradition and resilience to endure. This haunting novel explores themes of cultural strength, isolation, and the fragile balance between modern life and ancestral knowledge.*
Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead: A Novel, Olga Tokarczuk ; translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones
Set in a secluded Polish village, eccentric Janina Duszejko becomes embroiled in a series of mysterious deaths. Blending noir, philosophy, and dark humor, the novel questions morality, justice, and humanity’s treatment of animals. Tokarczuk crafts a thought-provoking, atmospheric tale that challenges conventional ideas of crime and conscience.*
For folklore and fantasy:
Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik
A fresh twist on classic fairy tales, this novel follows Miryem, a moneylender’s daughter who turns silver into gold—catching the attention of a dangerous fae king. Interwoven with multiple voices and rich folklore, Novik explores themes of power, sacrifice, and identity in a wintry, magical landscape.*
The Dead of Winter: Beware the Krampus and Other Wicked Christmas Creatures, Sarah Clegg
This chilling collection dives into the darker side of holiday folklore, featuring sinister figures like Krampus and other eerie winter spirits. Blending history and myth, Clegg explores how these creatures emerged from cultural traditions and why they endure. Perfect for readers who enjoy a macabre twist on festive cheer.*
For contemplation and rest:
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, Katherine May
May offers a reflective, lyrical meditation on the necessity of slowing down during life’s harsh seasons. Drawing on personal experience and cultural traditions, she shows how embracing winter—both literal and metaphorical—can foster resilience and renewal. A comforting guide for navigating periods of uncertainty and finding beauty in stillness.*
Meditative Drawing: Learn to Draw Mandalas and Other Patterns That Foster Calm and Creativity, Lizzie Snow
This practical guide introduces the soothing art of meditative drawing, focusing on mandalas and intricate patterns. Snow provides step-by-step instructions and inspiration for cultivating mindfulness through creativity. Ideal for beginners and seasoned artists seeking relaxation, this book transforms drawing into a calming ritual for stress relief and self-expression.*
For a holiday classic:
Little Women, Louisa May Alcott
A timeless classic, Little Women follows the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate love, ambition, and family during the Civil War era. Alcott’s novel celebrates resilience, sisterhood, and personal growth, offering warmth and wisdom that continue to resonate across generations.*
A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens, retold by Jane Parker Resnick, illustrated by Christian Birmingham.
This beloved holiday tale recounts Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from miser to benefactor after ghostly visits on Christmas Eve. Themes of redemption, generosity, and compassion shine through in this retelling, accompanied by evocative illustrations that bring Dickens’s classic message of hope and goodwill to life.*
For a winter romance:
One Day in December: A Novel, Josie Silver
A heartwarming romance begins when Laurie locks eyes with a stranger through a bus window—only to discover he’s her best friend’s boyfriend. Spanning a decade of missed chances and tangled emotions, this novel explores love, fate, and friendship in a cozy, festive setting.*
Lovelight Farms, B. K. Borison
Set on a struggling Christmas tree farm, this charming romance follows Stella as she enlists her best friend for a fake-dating scheme to save her business. Full of holiday magic, humor, and heartfelt moments, Borison’s story is a cozy escape for fans of romantic comedies.*
For a jolly laugh:
The Jolliest Bunch: Unhinged Holiday Stories, Danny Pellegrino
Pellegrino delivers a hilarious, nostalgic collection of essays about the chaos and charm of holiday traditions. From family mishaps to pop culture obsessions, these stories blend humor and heart, making this book a perfect companion for anyone who loves the festive season with a side of irreverence.*
Dad Jokes Holiday Edition: Yule Love Them!, Jimmy Niro
Packed with groan-worthy puns and cheerful wordplay, this holiday-themed joke book is perfect for spreading laughter during the season. Niro’s collection offers lighthearted fun for family gatherings, ensuring smiles and eye-rolls in equal measure.*
*Microsoft (2025). Text generated by Copilot [large language model]. https://copilot.microsoft.com.
