Winter is the perfect time to curl up with a cup of something warm and a good book, and we’ve got just the titles for you this season! From winter storms, heartbreaking epics, Yetis, murder, and even a rom-com worthy of the hallmark channel, we’ve rounded up the perfect titles to curl up with or get you praised as a great gift giver.
Fiction
OUR MISSING HEARTS by Celeste Ng – Penguin Random House
Set in a dystopian world where children are being pulled away from their families, books are being banned for being unpatriotic, and laws are written to preserve “American Prosperity,” we meet Bird. Pulled into a quest to find his estranged mother, Bird finds himself reaching into his memories for the folktales she told him long ago, traversing the underground network of librarians, into the lives of the children who have been taken, and finally to New York City, where a new act of defiance may be the beginning of much-needed change.
THE IT GIRL by Ruth Ware – Simon and Schuster
A psychological thriller that takes place at Oxford – Best friends through university, Hannah and April are inseparable, their group is popular and smart, and April is the center of it. But when April is murdered, it feels obvious that creepy Oxford porter, John Neville, is to blame. With Neville sentenced to prison, Hannah and her friends think everything is behind them, and for years, it is. But now, years later, John Neville has died, and a young journalist comes knocking on Hannah’s door with new evidence suggesting Neville may have been innocent. As Hannah reconnects with old friends and delves deeper into the mystery of April’s death, she realizes that the friends she thought she knew all have something to hide… including a murder.
DEMON COPPERHEAD by Barbara Kingsolver – Harper Collins
Dubbed a modern retelling of David Copperfield, Demon Copperhead is an epic story of one boy’s trials through foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, disastrous loves, and crushing losses. Through all of it, he reckons with his own invisibility in a popular culture where even the superheroes have abandoned rural people in favor of cities.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS Maggie Knox – Penguin Random House
The perfect Christmas rom-com for fans of Nashville and fake dating tropes, All I Want for Christmas brings us Sadie and Max, contestants on the famed reality singing show Starmaker. Paired up for duet week and Sadie and Max stun the world with their romantic onstage chemistry, but when the network demands they keep their duet going, things get a bit tough; Sadie and Max hate each other. With their end goal of fame and fortune in sight, both agree to keep us the rouse but will a weekend away in Banff change everything?
Young Adult
WHITEOUT by Angie Thomas, Tiffany D Jackson, Dhonielle Clayton, Nicola Yoon, Nic Stone, and Ashley Woodfold – Harper Collins
For everyone who enjoyed Blackout comes another novel of Black teen love written through short stories with interwoven narratives. Set in Atlanta, the city grinds to a halt as it’s blanketed in snow just before the holidays. Despite the whiteout conditions, twelve teens band together to help a friend pull off the most epic apology. But will they be able to make it happen, despite the storm?
Young Adult
LIVE WIRE: LONG-WINDED SHORT STORIES Kelly Ripa – Harper Collins
From one of the most powerful voices in media, Kelly Ripa’s debut book is as refreshing and relatable as the author herself. Kelly talks about everything from how she really met her husband, Mark, how she’s stayed strong in a male-dominated industry, and how one can’t actually die of embarrassment. Surprising and savage, Kelly Ripa proves that she’s a force to be reckoned with and an author with a great story to tell.
THE PASTA QUEEN A Just Gorgeous Cook Book – 100 + Recipes and Stories – Nadia Caterina Munno – Simon and Schuster
From the Tiktok and Instagram Famous Pasta Queen comes a glorious cookbook of classic Italian dishes, the stories that inspired them, and the tips and tricks needed to cook them right! Featuring a colorful tour of Italy through stunning photographs and celebratory tales of the country’s rich culinary heritage, along with stories about Nadia’s own life and family, The Pasta Queen is a cookbook that will warm your heart, soothe your soul, and spice up your life. And best of all? It’s just gorgeous.
Kids
YETIS ARE THE WORST Alex Wilan – Simon and Schuster
Get ready to embark on another adventure with Gilbert the Goblin as he travels to the frozen tundra, where he’s decided to find the legendary yeti!
NIGHT LUNCH Eric Fan – Penguin Random House
A mysterious cook whips up midnight meals for fellow night owls in a lavish lunch cart while a hungry mouse looks on in this atmospheric picture book. A delectable picture book inspired by forerunners of food trucks for fans of The Night Gardener. Perfect for foodies, Night Lunch brings together an owl chef and a peasant mouse. Will Mouse become dinner? Or will Owl share some of his delicious cooking?
THE COOL BEAN PRESENTS: AS COOL AS IT GETS Jory John & Pete Oswald – Harper Collins
From Jory John’s fantastic food group series comes the second adventure of Cool Bean. Having picked the coolest of the cool beans Bernadette J for his secret Santa, Cool Bean is determined to get her the best gift, but with little cash and little time, Cool Bean soon learns the best gifts are those that come from the heart.
