For some of us, finals are finally over. For some of us, there is still one more week left until the end of the semester. Regardless, it is time to make way for reading material this winter. I know there might be some of you out there who have absolutely no time to read due to the vigorous amount of studying that has to get done, but I am writing this list ahead of time so that when finals are finally (finally) over, you'll have these recommendations at hand. So sit back, relax, grab yourself your favorite heated beverage, and be ready for new reading possibilities this winter.
I'm going to start off with my favorite book to read during the winter because it is that good! The story is set during the Nazis' siege on Leningrad during World War II. Young Lev Beniov is arrested by the Soviet police and is sentenced to death alongside deserter Kolya. However, they are given the chance to save their own lives when a Soviet colonel gives them the task of finding a dozen eggs for his daughter's wedding cake. And so the two protagonists set off into the hard winter outside of the city, where the risk of death awaits. Written by Game of Thrones screenwriter David Benioff, City of Thieves is humorous, suspenseful, sometimes terrifying, an wonderfully written, with the words spun thoughtfully on the pages; a great read. One of my absolute favorites and I hope it will become one of yours too.
While this book is set in the summer, I feel like the overall tone of the novel is cold, cruel, and deceiving. This bestselling novel centers around married couple Nick and Amy Dunne. When Amy disappears on the their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick becomes a suspect in her disappearance, leading to the belief that he may have killed his wife. Some of you may have already read Gone Girl, some of you may have seen the movie, maybe you've done both. I still feel like this is a good book to read. If you haven't read the book yet, or only saw the movie, I recommend you read this story because it is one of the best thrillers in literature. Plus, if you become absorbed while reading books like I do, the hot temperatures described in the book might be really nice if you are not liking the cold of winter.
Yes, I know a lot of you just questioned my choice and I'm sorry, but hear me out on this. Sometimes it's good to revisited a beloved book from your budding adolescence. You know that feeling that you get when you reread a book and the writing pulls you back into the story like when you read it for the first time? Hopefully you understand what I mean, because that is what any great book does to any reader. The Hunger Games is one of those books. Now is the great time to treat yo' self to the now iconic story of Katniss Everdeen this holiday season.
Another novel set in World War II, this time telling the perspective of those living in Nazi Germany. The book is narrated by Death, who tells the story of young Liesel Meminger as she starts to live under the foster care of Hans and Rosa Hubermann on Himmel Street, befriends Rudy Steiner, and soon hides Jewish fist-fighter Max Vandenburg. She also develops a habit of stealing books as a way of dealing with losing her mother and little brother. You'll fall in love with these characters, the story, and the everything about The Book Thief.
Hopefully this helped you find new reading material or inspired you to pick up that book you have been meaning to read. Happy holidays and happy reading!
