Trying to lean in,
(to winter!) Recommendations #14
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Hello darkness… you know the rest. It’s here. Winter. I now refer to anything past 3.30pm as the EVENING and anything past 6pm as NIGHT TIME.
Trying to achieve everything in daylight hours (aka between 10am and 3.30pm) is a challenge but how does one function when it’s dark? Scandis I need solutions! And yes I have ordered an LED SAD therapy light, anything else??
Currently reading: This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub (and I’m not sure if I’m loving it?)
Books I’ve read this month:
A super fun event:
The Buffy’s book swap event was an utter delight. I implore you to arrange one of these with your pals. I know we all talk about doing a book club but I’ve found the actual logistics of it prove quite tricky (at least for my group of friends) - you have to (a) agree on a book in the first place, (b) sync up and read it at roughly the same time and then (c) find an evening to all be free and discuss it! All too much at this phase of life. BUT a book swap night requires no homework. Simply bring your favourite book along, write a note as to why it is your fave, pop it on a table and pick up another one. VERY doable and conversation provoking. That’s what blew me away at the Buffy’s event; the chat! The enthusiasm of the book recommendations “you MUST read xyz” on repeat, the energy in the room was incredible. Thanks again to Buffy’s and Lizzy for putting it on 🧡
On to the recommendations! Two are somewhat fantastical (time slips and reliving the past) and two are very real wintry reads (I’m trying to embrace this season, can you tell…) so I’ve included some light relief at the bottom. Take your pick!
For those that are new here (hi, welcome!), I split my book recommendation’s into four categories and include a mix of new releases and books I’ve previously loved that feel timely. Hopefully there’s something for you.
COSY & COMFORTING
A book that has no ulterior motive and is simply a delightful time.
Impossible by Sarah Lotz
Published: Mar 2022
Summary: I loved this book! And I can’t summarise it in too much detail as I don’t want to give the concept away. Bee and Nick are destined for each other but there is something stopping them from being together… and it doesn’t seem that even love can over come this obstacle.
With books that have clever twists I always worry that the ending is going to be disappointing but Lotz definitely landed this plane. Read it, please?
LOVE & BEING HUMAN
Everything and anything that gives insight and exposes the true messiness of being human..
Snow Country by Sebastian Faulks
Published: Sept 2021
Summary: If there was ever a time to recommend Snow Country now seems appropriate. So if you want to get your teeth stuck into something this winter, this historical novel will keep you company. It spans 1906 to 1933 and is set across Vienna/ Austria and Schloss Seeblick (a sanatorium). The writing is incredibly descriptive and there are a lot of characters to keep up with but, as with all Faulks novels, you are more than rewarded by the beautiful ending.
Note: This is a prequel to Human Traces but they can both be read as standalone books (or so I am told as I have not read Human Traces).
INTENSE & REWARDING
Books that can fall on the heavier side but really give you something to get stuck into.
The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
Published: Feb 2021
Summary: A rather sinister theme is emerging! But while The Sanatorium is set in a similar location to Snow Country this is much less historical novel and much more mysterious-who-done-it. Again, the perfect book for the impending winter.
The setting: an extremely remote fancy hotel that has been converted from an old sanatorium (creepy? very!). The occasion: An engagement party just as a storm rolls in. The guest list: A reluctant guest who happens to be a detective. And, of course, a missing bride-to-be.
If you’ve read any Lucy Foley, you’ll love this.
PICK ‘N’ MIX
Anything that doesn’t fit into the other three (e.g. fantasy/ non-fiction) or simply something I want to recommend that fits the theme.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Geoffrey Trousselot (Translator)
Published: Dec 2015
Summary: If you could visit someone from your past, would you? I’m sure you’ve seen this series, it’s been translated into over 30 languages and sold millions of copies worldwide (and probably broken a similar number of hearts). The concept is simple and the stories are beautiful.
The customers of cafe Funiculi Funicula may travel back in time, to any time they like, for any reason they may have. However, they must return before their cup of coffee is cold.
Top Tip: This would make a glorious Christmas gift.
Christmas Reads
Let’s face it, the only thing about a Northern Hemisphere winter is Christmas and I realise this months recommendations all err on the side of intense, so if you’re looking for something lighter below is my Christmas Book Special 2024 (and my 2025 edition is coming out this week).
Spoiler, One Day in December by Josie Silver is still my top cosy read at this time of year.
Christmas Book Special
If you’re new here If In Doubt, Read is an approachable book recommendation newsletter. There are two core newsletters (1) a Monthly Review of what I have read and (2) Monthly Recommendations that will be categorised into Cosy, Love, Intense and Pick ‘N’ Mix.
As always, please let me know what you’re reading and loving 💌
Happy reading xo
PS. All previous books recommendations are also categorised into ‘cosy’, ‘love’, ‘intense’ and ‘pick n mix’ shelves on my bookshop.org store (if you buy through any of the links via bookshop.org I may get a tiny kick back commission).
PPS. And if you’re still here, I get an email saying “xyz has liked your post” every time one of you clicks ‘like’ and it quite literally makes my day!
If you’d like to read more of my recommendations, see my previous Substack posts here:
Take what you need | A grazing board of books | Take one, pass the rest along | A pocket of peace | A sip of comfort | A mixed bag | Strength and beauty | Steady rhythm, joy | Here comes the sun | The illusive beast | A soft exhale | Floating through change | Go on, try it |
Or follow me on Goodreads or the Bookshop to keep up to date with my reading: