Reading Radar - The Cosiest Reads For December
Snuggle up with stories of enchantment, magic and wonder this Winter.
As the days grow shorter and the nights stretch longer, the season of Wintering is upon us. I’ve curated a selection of seasonal reads that I believe perfectly embody the spirit of winter - just for you.
From spellbinding tales of magic and wonder to haunting stories of the macabre -these novels celebrate the unique charm of this enigmatic season, a time of reflection, connection, beauty, and the uncanny.
These novels explore the essence of winter, unraveling folk tales from around the globe, breathing new life into timeless classics, and immersing readers in a world of enchantment and wonder. Explore this seasons most talked about authors and immerse yourself new awe-inspiring worlds.
Delve into Stephanie Garber’s latest novel Spectacular and fall into the magical realm of Caraval - where wishes are granted to those most earnest. Unravel themes of loss and loneliness with Stories For Winter: And Nights By The Fire - A collection of novellas by some of the most exciting women writers of our century. Or hunker down under the duvet and settle in for a night of chilling tales with the spine-tingling stories of the uncanny with Haunting Season.
However you like to celebrate the winter season, let’s ensure you’re in good company with these cosy reads.
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Stories For Winter: And Nights By The Fire
A charming collection of tales perfect for cozy evenings during the chillier months. This anthology brings together a mix of heartwarming and suspenseful stories that capture the magic, mystery, and introspection of winter. From folklore-inspired tales and ghostly encounters to reflections on family, love, and the changing seasons, the book weaves a tapestry of narratives that warm the soul while sending occasional shivers down the spine. It’s an ideal read for anyone seeking comfort, wonder, and a touch of the uncanny during long winter nights.
‘Curl up with Stories for Winter, a collection of seasonal tales to sustain you through the long, dark evenings. Originally written and first published in the twentieth century, the fourteen stories in this new anthology bring together the creative minds of Angela Carter, Edith Wharton, Katherine Mansfield, Elizabeth Berridge, Shirley Jackson, Sylvia Townsend Warner, Elizabeth Taylor, Mary Angela Dickens, Elizabeth Bowen and Kate Roberts.
A woman waits for her lover across a flooded landscape; another braves a snowstorm for a stranger; while a young girl’s unseasonal visit to the seaside ends in a shattering revelation. Exploring themes of loss and loneliness, resilience and renewal, this collection brings together many renowned female writers of the short-story form. In the spirit of the Women Writers series, these stories first appeared in books and periodicals in the twentieth century.’
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A Midwinters Tail By Lili Hayward
A cosy mystery brimming with charm and intrigue. Set in a picturesque coastal village during the depths of winter, with its atmospheric setting, quirky characters, and a dash of romance, this novel is the perfect blend of cosy mystery and winter magic. As the protagonist pieces together the clues, they uncover not just the truth behind the mystery but also insights into their own life and the bonds that hold the community together. A delightful read for fans of small-town secrets and seasonal charm.
‘A town in need. An extraordinary cat. A season for miracles...
It's nearly Christmas and committed Londoner, Mina Kestle, is close to signing a deal that will make her career and give her everything she's ever wanted. And then she receives a mysterious letter in the post along with an ancient key, sent by her long-estranged godfather .
Davy Penhallow is an artist who lives on the tiny Cornish island of Morgelyn with only his pet cat, Murr, for company. Mina hasn't seen or heard from him in decades, but now it seems he wants her to look after his cottage - and his cat - while he recovers from a stroke in hospital. Mina doesn't know why Davy has written after all these years, but she intends to do what's right: sort out the cottage and the cat and then get back to London in time for her career-saving meeting, before everything she's built comes crashing down around her.
But the more time Mina spends in the cottage, looking after Murr and remembering the magic of Cornish folklore, the harder it becomes for her to tear herself away. And when she discovers that a set of ruthless property developers are coming for Morgelyn, she realises she might be the only one who can stand in their way to save the island, Davy's cottage and Murr's home.
As Christmas draws ever closer and echoes of the past - her own and the island's - wash up in her memory, Mina begins to unravel a generation of secrets... and discover what it is she has truly always wanted.’
Purchase A Midwinters Tail By Lili Hayward and add it to your #tbr list here
The Haunting Season - Ghostly Tales For Long Winter Nights
Perfect for cold, dark evenings, this collection features ghostly encounters, chilling mysteries, and supernatural twists, all steeped in the magic and menace of winter. Each tale captures the gothic spirit of the season, blending suspense with haunting beauty. It’s an enchanting and spine-tingling read for those who love their winter nights accompanied by tales of the otherworldly.
‘Long before Charles Dickens and Henry James popularised the tradition, the shadowy nights of winter have been a time for people to gather together by the flicker of candlelight and experience the intoxicating thrill of a ghost story.
Now eight bestselling, award-winning authors - all of them master storytellers of the sinister and the macabre - bring the tradition to vivid life in a spellbinding new collection of original spine-tingling tales.
Taking you from the frosty Fens to the wild Yorkshire moors, to the snow-covered grounds of a haunted estate, to a bustling London Christmas market, these mesmerising stories will capture your imagination and serve as your indispensable companion to the cold, dark nights.
So curl up, light a candle, and fall under the spell of winters past . . .’
Purchase The Haunting Season - Ghostly Tales For Long Winter Nights and add it to your #tbr list here
Little Women By Lousia May Alcott
Revel in a timeless coming-of-age novel that follows the lives of the four March sisters - Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - growing up during the American Civil War. Each sister navigates her own challenges, from Meg's desire for a stable family life, Jo's determination to pursue her passion for writing, Beth's gentle struggle with illness, to Amy's artistic ambitions and quest for self-discovery.
The story explores themes of love, family, ambition, and resilience, celebrating the bonds of sisterhood and the pursuit of personal dreams. Rich with warmth and wisdom, it’s a heartfelt tale of growth and selflessness.
‘Little Women is a coming-of-age novel written by American novelist Louisa May Alcott (1832–1888).
Originally published in two volumes in 1868 and 1869, Alcott wrote the book over several months, at the request of her publisher. The story follows the lives of the four March sisters -Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy - and details their passage from childhood to womanhood. Loosely based on the lives of the author and her three sisters, it is classified as an autobiographical or semi-autobiographical novel.
Little Women was an immediate commercial and critical success, with readers eager for more about the characters. Alcott quickly completed a second volume (titled Good Wives in the United Kingdom, though the name originated with the publisher and not Alcott). It was also met with success. The two volumes were issued in 1880 as a single novel titled Little Women. Alcott subsequently wrote two sequels to her popular work, both also featuring the March sisters: Little Men (1871) and Jo's Boys (1886).’
Purchase Little Women By Lousia May Alcott and add it to your #tbr list here
Spectacular By Stephanie Garber
*spoiler alert if you haven’t read the series*
Introducing Spectacular a holiday-themed novella set in the world of the Caraval series by Stephanie Garber. The story follows Donatella as she seeks the perfect holiday gift for Legend, her enigmatic love interest. However, her quest takes an unexpected turn when she uncovers new challenges that test their relationship.
The novella explores themes of love, trust, and holiday magic, while delving into Tella’s uncertainties about her bond with Legend and her determination to bridge the emotional distance between them.
‘Snowflakes are falling. Invitations are arriving. And holiday magic is swirling in the Capital City of the Meridian Empire.
It's Great Holiday Eve Eve. Scarlett Dragna is planning a spectacular Holiday celebration for the city. Donatella is searching for the perfect gift. Julian is looking ridiculously handsome in green. And Legend . . .
Well, sadly Legend is not a fan of the Great Holiday. Tella is hoping her perfect gift will change his mind. Unfortunately, she hasn't found this perfect gift just yet. But it is Great Holiday Eve Eve . . . surely there's some holiday magic swirling around.
Welcome, welcome back to the world of Caraval, where even holidays are not as they seem.
Set after Stephanie Garber's #1 New York Times bestselling Caraval series, this delightful novella will take readers on the ultimate holiday adventure, full of clockwork boys, poisoned candy, impish snow globes, merriment, and-if Tella gets her way-love.’
Purchase Spectacular By Stephanie Garber and add it to your #tbr list here
Anna Karenina By Leo Tolstoy
A profound exploration of love, society, and morality set in 19th-century Russia. The novel weaves two primary narratives: the tragic love affair between Anna Karenina, a married aristocrat, and Count Alexei Vronsky, and the more grounded story of Konstantin Levin's quest for meaning and happiness.
Anna's passionate relationship with Vronsky defies social norms, leading to her social ostracization and eventual descent into despair. Meanwhile, Levin's journey, marked by his struggles with faith, love, and landownership, contrasts sharply with Anna's turmoil and ultimately leads to a sense of spiritual fulfillment.
Through its richly drawn characters and detailed depiction of Russian society, the novel delves into themes of fidelity, family, personal freedom, and the constraints imposed by societal expectations. This novel remains a timeless masterpiece, celebrated for its psychological depth and moral complexity.
‘A beautiful society wife from St. Petersburg, determined to live life on her own terms, sacrifices everything to follow her conviction that love is stronger than duty.
A socially inept but warmhearted landowner pursues his own visions instead of conforming to conventional views. The adulteress and the philosopher head the vibrant cast of characters in Anna Karenina, Tolstoy's tumultuous tale of passion and self-discovery.
This novel marks a turning point in the author's career, the juncture at which he turned from fiction toward faith. Set against a backdrop of the historic social changes that swept Russia during the late nineteenth century, it reflects Tolstoy's own personal and psychological transformation.
Two worlds collide in the course of this epochal story: that of the old-time aristocrats, who struggle to uphold their traditions of serfdom and authoritarian government, and that of the Westernizing liberals, who promote technology, rationalism, and democracy. This cultural clash unfolds in a compelling, emotional drama of seduction, betrayal, and redemption.’
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The Winter Garden By Alexandra Bell
Discover a mesmerising blend of historical fiction and magical realism set in Victorian England. The story follows Beatrice, who, as a child, experiences the magical Winter Garden - a place of wonder that vanishes after seven nights, leaving her with lingering doubts about its reality. Years later, Beatrice defies societal expectations by breaking off her engagement and is invited to compete in a prestigious garden design contest. The prize is a wish granted by the last vestiges of the Winter Garden's magic.
The competition not only rekindles Beatrice's passion but also pits her against her best friend Rosa, a resourceful woman trapped in a stifling marriage. Both women face the societal constraints of their time, their ambitions fuelled by deep personal losses and desires for freedom and redemption.
As the novel unfolds, themes of grief, identity, and resilience shine against the enchanting backdrop of the magical garden. The vivid descriptions and emotional depth of the characters create a tale reminiscent of The Night Circus or Alice in Wonderland, with a strong focus on the challenges women faced in a patriarchal society.
‘You are invited to enter an unusual competition. I am looking for the most magical, spectacular, remarkable pleasure garden this world has to offer.
On the night her mother dies, 8-year-old Beatrice receives an invitation to the mysterious Winter Garden. A place of wonder and magic, filled with all manner of strange and spectacular flora and fauna, the garden is her solace every night for seven days. But when the garden disappears, and no one believes her story, Beatrice is left to wonder if it were truly real.
Eighteen years later, on the eve of her wedding to a man her late father approved of but she does not love, Beatrice makes the decision to throw off the expectations of Victorian English society and search for the garden. But when both she and her closest friend, Rosa, receive invitations to compete to create spectacular pleasure gardens - with the prize being one wish from the last of the Winter Garden's magic - she realises she may be closer to finding it than she ever imagined.
Now all she has to do is win.’
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The Wood At Midwinter By Susanna Clarke
Unravel this beautifully crafted short story that combines elements of English folklore and Christian mysticism within a richly magical setting. The narrative follows 19-year-old Merowdis Scott, a young woman deeply attuned to nature and spirituality. Living in a world where she feels more aligned with her animals and the mysterious woods than with people, Merowdis embarks on a transformative journey after an encounter with mystical beings in the forest. Her experiences explore themes of devotion, nature's sacredness, and self-discovery.
The story's atmosphere is steeped in the quiet magic of winter, with the woods depicted as alive and watchful rather than dormant. Clarke's elegant prose and vivid imagery bring the mystical aspects to life, supported by Victoria Sawdon’s enchanting illustrations, which enhance the fairy tale quality of the book. This tale can be enjoyed by readers of all ages and resonates with a sense of wonder and introspection, perfect for cozy, reflective winter nights​
'A church is a sort of wood. A wood is a sort of church. They're the same thing really.
Nineteen-year-old Merowdis Scott is an unusual girl. She can talk to animals and trees – and she is only ever happy when she is walking in the woods.
One snowy afternoon, out with her dogs and Apple the pig, Merowdis encounters a blackbird and a fox. As darkness falls, a strange figure enters in their midst – and the path of her life is changed forever.’
Purchase The Wood At Midwinter By Susanna Clarke and add it to your #tbr list here
The Bear & The Nightingale By Katherine Arden
Explore this spellbinding novel rooted in Russian folklore and set in the wilderness of medieval Russia. The story follows Vasilisa "Vasya" Petrovna, a young girl with the unique ability to see and communicate with the household spirits that protect her family and community. Vasya grows up in a world where the old ways and Christianity collide, threatening the balance of her village.
When a devout and stern priest arrives, he encourages the villagers to abandon their old beliefs, leading to the weakening of the spirits and the rise of dark forces. As danger looms, Vasya must embrace her gifts to protect her family and village, even as she faces societal rejection for her independence and connection to the supernatural.
Arden weaves a richly atmospheric tale, blending myth and reality while exploring themes of faith, tradition, and female empowerment. The novel’s lush descriptions and compelling characters create a vivid tapestry of magic, danger, and resilience. It’s the first book in The Winternight Trilogy.
‘Beware the evil in the woods...
In a village at the edge of the wilderness of northern Russia, where the winds blow cold and the snow falls many months of the year, an elderly servant tells stories of sorcery, folklore and the Winter King to the children of the family, tales of old magic frowned upon by the church.
But for the young, wild Vasya these are far more than just stories. She alone can see the house spirits that guard her home, and sense the growing forces of dark magic in the woods. . .’
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Upon A Frosted Star By M.A. Kuzniar
A mysterious and atmospheric tale blending the magic of fairy tales with the allure of the 1920s. It follows Forster, a struggling artist who receives an invitation to an enigmatic annual party held by the beguiling Odette.
As he becomes captivated by her world of opulence and intrigue, he uncovers the dark curse that haunts her, tied to an ancient, tragic romance. The narrative unfolds with elements of mystery, romance, and suspense, set against a wintry backdrop. The story features a rich, atmospheric setting with echoes of Swan Lake and a narrative filled with both glamour and menace.
‘When the snow falls, she will be free…
The invitations always arrive the same way – without warning, appearing around the city on the first snowfall of the year, simply inscribed with ‘Tonight.’
When struggling artist, Forster, finds an invitation, he’s bewitched by the magic of the evening, swept up in the glamour of this notorious annual party and intrigued as to who is behind them.
Determined to find out more about the mysterious host, Forster discovers an abandoned manor house silent with secrets and a cursed woman who is desperate to be free.’
Purchase Upon A Frosted Star By M.A. Kuzniar and add it to your #tbr list here
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