Now that we’re officially in January, the long winter nights are the perfect time to get cozy with a book. Set your challenges, lock in, and ready your reading goals – anything to get us through the winter. At the start of any given year, it’s easy to get lost in the sense of urgency when trying to reignite or foster a love of reading. Will we be disappointed if we don’t hit a lofty goal? Or will we struggle to put down the next great series?
Setting aside time is hard enough on its own, especially for something leisurely or “just for you.” Unless you’re a voracious reader with an appetite consisting of all genres and makes, it can be difficult to select the right book to jumpstart your commitment to reading again. Sometimes it takes a good mystery or messy girl lit, or a really wholesome romance.
You might be the type of reader who picks up one or two books a year, or you might be the type who likes the coziest stories available. Maybe you binge in bursts and then pick up where you left off months – even years – later. Whatever the kind of reader you are, we have a list of books that are perfect for your Winter TBR.
For the part-time reader:
It’s okay if you only read a book or two a year. Maybe you enjoy a book slowly, leaving it on your nightstand and picking it up at a leisurely pace. These are the books to add to your Winter TBR if you’re a part-time reader.
Seeing Other People by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
A fun twist on a paranormal romance from married writing duo, Wibberly and Siegemund-Broka, this book would be a perfect suggestion for your Winter TBR if you also watch HGTV all year round.
Secret Nights and Northern Lights by Megan Oliver
If you love to travel and only read on vacation, you might enjoy this fun second-chance romance set in Iceland, inspired by the author’s own trip there.
Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun
Do you love sapphic romances or messy characters on a journey to self-discovery? Then Alison Cochrun’s novel is an excellent choice, and when you’re ready to read more, she has a wonderful backlist to choose from for your TBR.
For the cozy reader:
For those of us who love nothing more than a night in, piled under the warmest blankets, with a hot steaming cup of cocoa and a snuggly companion by their side, these are the books that are guaranteed to make us cozy.
A Curious Kind of Magic by Mara Rutherford
What’s more cozy than a delightful cozy fantasy? Set in a magical curiosity shop, Mara Rutherford’s new novel is the perfect addition to your Winter TBR.
Throne In The Dark by A.K. Caggiano
An ideal Winter TBR selection for romantasy readers and fans of The Princess Bride and Kimberly Lemming books, this is the type of book you can settle in with on lazy Sundays.
A Beautiful and Terrible Murder by Claire M. Andrews
Sometimes all you need to get cozy is a good mystery novel. And what better mystery novel to add to your Winter TBR than a Sherlockian mystery about the only woman to ever best the sleuth, Irene Adler?
For the reading challenge champion:
If your goal this winter is to get a head start on your yearly reading challenge, these short books can be read in a weekend and are worthy of any reader’s Winter TBR list.
Talking To My Father’s Ghost by Alex Krokus
When trying to reach my reading goal for the year, I always binge on graphic novels. If you’re trying to get a jumpstart on your reading goal in the new year, Alex Krokus’ graphic novel is a heartfelt and funny choice for your Winter TBR.
Outer Space Is Closer Than Antarctica by Michelle Ott
This lovely graphic novel could be a quick and fun addition to your Winter TBR, especially if you love art and science and beautifully illustrated books.
Part aspirational and hopeful, Joey Kidney’s poetry collection is a must-add to the Winter TBR for anyone who is also trying to add different genres to their yearly reading goal.
The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser
Karina Yan Glaser is a superstar of middle-grade literature. One way you can get a jump on your yearly reading goal is by adding her breathtaking historical fiction novel to your Winter TBR. You won’t regret this unforgettable choice.
Meesh The Bad Demon by Michelle Lam
If you listened to Golden by Huntr/x on repeat and have memorized KPop Demon Hunters by heart, this adorable graphic novel series is a charming addition to your Winter TBR.
For the mood reader:
There are many burdens to being a mood reader. Mainly because it makes choosing the next read feel like a life-altering decision. If you’re one of these readers, these are the books that even the most undecided, picky reader will love to add to their Winter TBR.
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
Carissa Broadbent is one of TikTok’s romantasy queens, with over 103 million views. If your reader is in the mood for a story of vengeance, with the rich worldbuilding fans have come to love from Broadbent, this is the book to add to your Winter TBR.
The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea
A romance writer fake dates the prime minister’s bodyguard in a delightful romance that even the moodiest of readers will need to add to your Winter TBR.
The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie
This novel tackles a lot and is definitely not a light romance. It’s a romance, but it also deals with infertility, infidelity, and the heaviness that comes from taking a different path than you expected. If you can’t settle on a next read, this hopeful and voicey debut might be a good choice for your Winter TBR.
For the buy-for-the-cover reader:
No worries if you’re a reader who judges a book by the cover. Just know that these might be the types of books you want to add to your Winter TBR based on the aesthetics and artwork of the cover.
The cover of Hazelthorn by New York Times bestselling author is just so striking, it would make any cover-judging reader happy.
To Cage A Wild Bird by Brooke Fast
If you love gorgeous covers and intricate stenciled edges, this is the ultimate copy to add to their Winter TBR. And whether or not you’re familiar with dystopian novels, this is a book you’ll devour in one sitting.
If you love dark academia and faerie stories, S.T. Gibson’s queer gothic romance might be a good fit for your Winter TBR.
The Series Loyalist:
There’s no right way to tackle a series as a reader. Start in the middle, wait until the end to read, as long as they find something they enjoy, it doesn’t matter. If you love series, these are the books to add to your Winter TBR.
What’s not to love about a scruffy hero and a romance filled with action and adventure? If you also like to binge-read a series, Katie Ruggle’s is book three in the Beneath The Wild Sky series; all three books are available now to add to your Winter TBR!
Your Knife, My Heart by K.M. Moronova
This is a Winter TBR suggestion for the dark romance reader. Your Knife, My Heart is an enticing and addictive entry in K.M. Moronova’s Dark Forces world.
Keep Me Never by Meagan Brandy
Meagan Brandy’s Say You Swear blew up on social media, and this interconnected story set in that world is bound to be a hit for your Winter TBR if you also get most of your recommendations from TikTok.
If you can’t get enough of Heated Rivalry and are now binge-reading hockey romances, this romance in TikTok sensation Becka Mack’s Playing For Keeps series should be on your Winter TBR.
What are you reading? Let us know on Bluesky.
Brianna Robinson is a book publicist and Sarah Lawrence College alum. She lives in New York with too many books and two enthusiastic dachshunds. You can find her on twitter @blrobins2.
