Cold Weather Vibes! Check Out the Best Books to Curl Up With This Winter

‘Wild Game: My Mother, Her Lover and Me’ by Adrienne Brodeur

When Adrienne was 14, her mother, Malabar, woke her with some startling news: “Ben Souther just kissed me.” That’s when everything changed. Malabar’s daughter — and now her closest confidante — helped her navigate an affair with her husband’s best friend. The memoir explains how Adrienne’s life was long affected after that summer and how our inner circle has the power to break our hearts in unexpected ways.

‘Dear Girls’ by Ali Wong

The comedian has brought her humor and personal stories to her first memoir. The letters are addressed to her daughters, but all readers will have a blast looking through the insanely funny — and surprisingly deep — notes.

‘Nothing to See Here’ by Kevin Wilson

A temper tantrum you’ve never seen before! Lillian and Madison became unlikely friends while rooming together at an elite boarding school. After Lillian left because of a scandal, she and Madison lost touch. One day, Madison — who is feeling bored in her life — receives a letter from Lillian begging her to help with her twin stepchildren. However, the kids have *one* quirk: They burst into flames when they get upset. The hilarious story follows their adventurous summer and how they learn to trust each other. The sweet story of the oddball family is sure to make an impact on you.

‘Pet’ by Akwaeke Emezi

Jam has been taught her whole life that monsters don’t exist anymore. With a BFF like Redemption and awesome parents, how could she not believe that? Until one day, when a monster named Pet emerges from one of her mother’s paintings. The beast claims it is there to hunt something grim — which happens to be lurking at her pal’s house. This book was also highlighted by Emma Roberts‘ book club, Belletrist.

‘The Giver of Stars’ by Jojo Moyes

A pick from Reese Witherspoon‘s book club, you won’t be able to put this one down. Alice Wright is excited to leave her uptight life in England after marrying an American named Bennett Van Cleve. However, life is not all it’s cracked up to be in the small Kentucky town. “The story follows a small group of women known as the Horseback Librarians of Kentucky,” the actress explained on Instagram. “It’s such a great narrative about personal strength and really captures how books bring communities together, especially for these women who are completely bonded by their love of literature.”

‘Heartland’ by Sarah Smarsh

Sarah Smarsh tells her story of growing up in poverty in Kansas. On her father’s side, she is a fifth-generation wheat farmer while her mom comes from generations of teen moms. This book was highlighted in Sarah Jessica Parker‘s book club — for good reason.

“Ms. Smarsh writes with authority and urgency about the entrenched deprivation of overlooked Americans born into poverty across the country,” the Sex and the City actress said. “Her straightforward, empathetic storytelling is motivated by a deeply-saturated love for her family and Kansas home and brings readers into the heart of what it means to live with brokenness and resilience every day.”

‘Whose Story Is This?’ by Rebecca Solnit

This collection of feminist essays was the pick of the month for November and December in Emma Watson’s book club. “Her writing is also generously personal … Rebecca just thinks about things in a different and liberating way,” the actress wrote in her introduction piece for the interesting read. “I feel better able to see, feel and express myself because of her. We all have many different types of mothers — intellectual, creative, political — Rebecca Solnit is one of mine… and I don’t care if it antagonises [sic] anyone to say so.”

‘She Would Be King’ by Wayétu Moore

History meets magical realism. Three unexpected characters meet and shine a light on the rocky history of the United States. Gbessa was left for dead after being exiled from West African village of Lai. June Dey was forced to flee from a plantation in Virginia. Finally, Norman Aragon was a slave from Jamaica and a child to a white British colonizer. The experience of these characters crossing paths is one you won’t want to miss.

‘Dead Astronauts’ by Jeff VanderMeer

The author of Borne has Bornebrought his psychedelic touch to his latest read — available everywhere on December 3. A super-powerful corporation — known as The Company — forces three rebels named Grayson, Morse and Chen on an adventure where the fate of the future is on their hands. They’ll power through insane scenarios in this thrilling Sci-Fi story.

‘Eighteen Below’ by Stefan Ahnhem

When two of Sweden’s most influential IT entrepreneurs are involved in a car crash, an autopsy reveals that the bodies were not only frozen, but the time of death was approximately two months before the accident. The book will chill you to the core. It’s the third stand-alone book in the Fabian Risk series.

‘Of Blood and Bone’ by Nora Roberts

The New York Times bestselling author is at it again with this novel full of fantasy and horror. The city where 13-year-old Fallon Swift’s parents lived has been destroyed and traveling anywhere outside of their farm is dangerous. However, the teen possesses a gift that could both save people … or make her a target to be killed. She comes under the training of Mallick, who will teach her how to heal and fight. Year One was the predecessor to Of Blood and Bones.

‘Milkman’ by Anna Burns

In the gossipy city where “middle sister” lives, she goes to painstaking efforts to hide anything that would make her “interesting” — her love interests and getting harassed by a paramilitary officer called Milkman. However, her secrets become uncovered, which opens a whole can of worms.

‘Sins as Scarlet’ by Nicolás Obregón

After leaving the Tokyo Police Department because of a life-altering case, Inspector Kosuke Iwata looks for a fresh start in Los Angeles. He quietly opens a private investigative firm, but his life is shaken once again when his late wife’s mother comes looking for answers after her other daughter is murdered. This mystery unfolds in a way you would never expect.

‘Breaking and Entering’ by Jeremy N. Smith

An MIT trained hacker — known only as Alien — starts working at a top cybersecurity firm where she has to use her smarts and nose for mischief to test her client’s security. This thriller doesn’t take place only behind a screen, Alien must use whatever means possible to hack.

‘Inheritance’ by Dani Shapiro

Just for fun, Dani Shapiro sent in her DNA for analysis back in 2016. The results? The man who raised her was not her biological father. This real-life story is all about uncovering secrets and finding the truth about who you are.

‘The Dreamers’ by Karen Thompson Walker

Chaos hits a college town after students start falling asleep … and not waking up. When their brain activity is measured, it appears that those who are “sleeping” are having heightened dreams. The city goes into panic as more turmoil happens to those affected (and not) by the strange illness.

’99 Percent Mine’ by Sally Thorne

Darcy Barrett met the love of her life at 8 — Tom Valeska. Unfortunately, he is her twin brother’s best friend and is very off-limits … well, 99 percent. However, Darcy’s luck may turn after she and her brother inherit a cottage that they need to fix up. The main character plans on skipping out on the project until a newly single Tom shows up to help with the renovation. Although things start heating up, Darcy soon realizes that 1 percent of Tom’s heart may not be enough.