Winter is coming, and while the holidays can keep us very busy after months of summer activities like swimming, yard work, and late summer nights, those months after Christmas are some of the best for relaxing, snuggling, and enjoying those slow winter days and nights.
Everyone knows that the epitome of winter is curling up by a fire and reading a good book, so here are five books to add to your reading list this winter!
For the Historical Fiction Fan Who Also Loves Food: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
In this book, it’s 1922 and Count Alexander Ilyich Rostov has been sentenced to house arrest inside the famous Moscow Hotel Metropol. In beautiful, witty, and engaging words, the author leads us on all the adventures that the Count comes upon within those four walls. There were laughs, there were tears, and there was a lot of salivating listening to the delectable meals that the storied hotel chef served to his guests.
For the Memoir Fan: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
I’ll admit, I had no idea what I was getting into as I dove into this book–it deals with a lot of hard situations, and may be a difficult read for those who experienced a hard childhood. However, Jeanette tells her story in a simple and yet stunning narrative, one that I can best describe as A Tree Grows in Brooklyn meets Hillbilly Elegy.
There’s also a movie out about this book, and while incredibly well-done, make sure to read the book first! In this case, it will only help you appreciate the movie more. It will also make you look with fresh eyes at your own childhood and parenting, and the motivations that have influenced you so far.
For the British-Lovers and Witty at Heart: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
What exactly is going on with Eleanor Oliphant? As you look at life through her eyes, you know that something is up, but it takes a while to figure out why people respond to her the way they do, and why she thinks the things she does. A bit of a bittersweet story, there is incredible depth and resilience on the part of Eleanor, and an appreciation of the kindness of humans, while also struggling through the evils that fall upon some people. All this is done with wit and humor, which seems like a tall order to fill–just take our word for it, and read! Just let me know if you read the entire thing in a British accent, like I did!
For the World War II Aficionado: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
It seems that there are endless stories to be told about this time in the world’s history, and this particular story comes from a viewpoint not as common in historical fiction–the story of a simple French-girl and her experiences during the German occupation. There’s a rare treasure being hunted, a German soul being pricked, and serious moments of breath-holding as you wait to find out what happens.
This happens to be one of the most beautifully-worded stories I’ve read recently, with vivid word pictures that touch the soul. Once you understand the viewpoint of the main character, you’ll know why!
For Those Who Need a Good, Bittersweet Cry and a Story of Human Resilience: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaleed Hosseini
From the author of the best-selling The Kite Runner comes a tale from the heart of Afghanistan–a story that’s so full of love, hurt, and war that it could have been written from many cultures at many times. It gave me a view of the recent events in the Middle East from a new perspective, and was heartbreaking and beautiful, all at the same time.
Maybe this will get you started on your winter reading list, especially after the upcoming busy holiday seasons have passed! As you work through the clutter and storage issues that the holidays, new gifts, and company brings, make sure to give us a call whenever you need an extra hand in storing away some of those belongings to make room and space for family and friends. At Self Assured Storage, we are ready to get the clutter out of the way, so you can enjoy those cold, winter months in your favorite (uncluttered) reading space!
