Top Ten Tuesday: Wintry Reads

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly book blog meme now hosted by Jana over at The Artsy Reader Girl!

This week's topic is: Cozy/Wintry Reads

This week's theme is wintry reads, so I've collected some books that all seem to be great for the winter season. They aren't all "cozy" reads, but they all give off either cold snowy vibes or have a story that I feel is great for this time of year (unless, you know, you're in Australia or something).

Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield: I just reviewed this one yesterday, but I had to include it here because it honestly feels like the perfect book to read on a cold winter day. Once Upon a River takes off in a small town when a little girl who appears to be drowned is brought into an inn known for storytelling--and ends up not being dead after all.

The Little Mermaid and Other Stories by Hans Christian Andersen: These aren't all necessarily set during the winter season, but I always think fairy tales and the winter season match up perfectly. Classic stories with a comfy night in? Sounds good to me.

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman: It's cold and there's snow and a polar bear. Plus it's a magic and classic story, so what could be more perfect for a winter read?

The Sisters of the Winter Wood by Rena Rossner: I think this one would be a good reads for both fall and winter because of it's lyrical prose and the folktale elements that are also included. The Sisters of the Winter Wood, told in both prose and verse, is about two sisters that must figure out what they want in life; it is a loose goblin market-inspired story.

Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones: It's dark, magical, and definitely has a bit of winter chill to keep things wintry. Wintersong is another gobin market-inspired story about a girl named Liesl who travels to the Underground to save her sister from the Goblin King--and ends up in a rather precarious position.

When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin: I don't recall there being much of a winter season in this book (it's been a while, so I could be wrong), but it still has a very cozy magical quality that I think fits perfectly. It's also a middle grade book so I think that lends itself quite nicely to a 'cozy' read.

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik: It's cold, it's fairy tale inspired,and it's perfect. Spinning Silver mainly follows three different young woman on separate journeys that eventually comes together in different ways. It is loosely Rumpelstiltskin-inspired.

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas: I know a lot of people disliked this book and thought it was a waste of a book, but I thought it was a really fun and useful bridge to a new series that was also the perfect holiday book. The gang is celebrating the Winter Solstice, so there is friendship, drama, and the struggle of finding the perfect gift for everyone you love.

East by Edith Pattou: Another wintry tale inspired by a classic tale that also has a polar bear, East seems like the perfect book to read this season. And if you need more of it, the sequel, West, is also now out!

Balam, Sring by Travis M. Riddle: This is not a winter setting in the slightest, but it's a bit of a slice of life story that is so relaxing. There's a bit of a mystery going on at the same time to add some intrigue and I think that this would make a fantastic story.

A Cavern of Black Ice by J.V. Jones: I saved this for last because it's the coldest, harshest climate of these books listed here. It is not a happy, cozy winter story in the slightest, but it will certainly make you reach for a blanket. And perhaps something a bit happier.

Have you read any of these? What are some of your favorite wintry reads?