If you're one of those people that loves to read, then this is an article you'll want to bookmark for the end of the winter season. To drift off into dreamland and not worry about shoveling snow, pick up one of these great books! I promise that any of these wonderful reads (plus a warm mug of hot cocoa!) can cure your winter blues—or at least make you not hate it so much.
"Before I Fall" by Lauren Oliver
This debut novel from Oliver is probably my all-time favorite book. It earns the top spot in my personal library due to its poignant messages and beautifully descriptive detail. Set in a small Connecticut town on Valentine’s Day, the novel takes you on a journey of 17-year-old Samantha Kingston’s final day. Or so she thinks. You’ll follow Sam as she navigates the ups and downs of teenage life, while also trying to unravel the mystery surrounding her death. Did she really deserve it? Do any of us really deserve to die? These profound questions leave the reader guessing till the very end of the book, which is precisely why it’s so gripping. Definitely pick it up if you’re a fan of YA (young adult) literature.
"The Tenth Circle" by Jodi Picoult
I like to think of Jodi Picoult as a female Stephen King or James Patterson. She’s super famous for her books, specifically in one genre. While the plot and characters vary from story to story, the messages tend to be in the same vein of provoking or challenging—which is one of the many reasons why I chose this novel.
With parts set in the Alaskan tundra, "The Tenth Circle" tells the story of a family who’s been hiding secrets from each other with none of them knowing what the truth really is. The story jumps around in voice, and you get to see some situations from all three perspectives—the mother Laura, the father Daniel and their teenage daughter Trixie. With some parallels to Dante’s "Inferno" and the nine circles of Hell, this novel does a fantastic job weaving in how cold people can really be to one another, and at what lengths a family will go to protect its own.
"Six Months Later" by Natalie D. Richards
When Chloe fell asleep in study hall, she never expected to wake up seeing snow on the ground. It’s been six months since she dozed off in May and now her whole life has changed. She has a boyfriend, the best grades she can ask for, and everything seems to be figured out. If that’s the case, then why won’t her best friend speak to her? And why is a mysterious guy following her? If you’re wondering what more there could be to this story, then I highly suggest you check out this thrilling mystery. As Chloe gets closer to the truth, dangerous people begin closing in on her. Pick this up if you want a fast paced, action packed book!
"Far From You" by Lisa Schroeder
Being trapped due to a snowstorm seems like the worst thing in the world. But in Schroeder’s novel, it seems to be the best scenario for main character, Alice. After losing her mother to cancer, Alice doesn’t want to let her new stepmother and newborn sister in. Will the unfortunate circumstances finally force her to confess her pain? Or will the cold only make her bitterness grow? This book definitely clings to the heartstrings so if you like a sort of "family drama" type story line, then you’ll love this one.
"Unravel Me" (#2 of the "Shatter Me" Series) by Tahereh Mafi
While this is the second book in a series, you’ll still be able to get up to speed as you see that Juliette has finally escaped to Omega Point—which means she’s finally free from the Reestablishment. You’ll be engrossed by her decisions between two men and her choosing between freedom and what she’s leaving behind to get it. The icy cover alone provides plenty of intrigue, and you’ll stick around to see how everything turns out, I swear.
"Bittersweet" by Sarah Ockler
A unique character name paired with an interesting plot makes for a stellar book to dive into during these colder days. You’ll stick with Hudson through thick and thin, and you’ll feel for her as she struggles with coming to terms with a big betrayal that turned her world upside down. Ockler does a great job making the characters seem relatable and genuine—which all adds to the authenticity of this lovely YA novel.
"The Tragedy Paper" by Elizabeth LaBan
Boy meets girl. Girl meets boy. Sounds like every other story, right? Well, in LaBan’s stunning work, all is not what it appears to be. Take Tim MacBeth for example. The albino protagonist transfers to a prestigious school and is instantly attracted to the popular Vanessa Sheller. Do they dare risk it all for these fleeting feelings? Or will looming threats of their school’s senior thesis and classmates uncovering their secret rendezvous tear them apart? You’ll love peeling back all the layers that LaBan lays out for her characters. You will be on your toes the entire time, wondering where, how and if Tim and Vanessa are caught.
