Top Ten Tuesday: Cosy Winter Book Recommendations

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. How it works is that each Tuesday the host assigns a topic and then posts their top ten list that fits the topic. Every blogger can create their own top ten (or 2, 5, 20, etc.) list as well and link to the host’s. The topic for December 4th, 2018 is: Cozy/Wintry Reads. Today I bring to you a list of five fantasy books that I think is perfect to read around the winter time. Winter reading is not complete without a cosy candle burning by the side, so I have included some suggestions for literary candles from small businesses that I think are a perfect match for the books mentioned.

1. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis

This is a classic children’s tale that was so very close to my heart growing up. It follows four siblings as they enter the magical world of Narnia, ruled by an evil witch who has cast a spell to make it always winter. It has wonderful themes of hope, bravery and familial love that will surely warm your heart on a cold winter night.

Pair it with ‘Always Winter’ from Midnight Flame Candle Co.

 

2. Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

Also known by the title The Golden Compass in the US, this tells the adventures of Lyra, a precocious young girl who sets out to save her best friend who has been kidnapped. It features fighting polar bears, witches, hot air balloons and so much more fun stuff!  It’s such a complex and beautiful world that talking about it is making me want to re-read it again.

Pair it with ‘Lyra Silvertongue Belacqua’ from Willow Grove Candles

3. Even the Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett

The heroine of this story, Kamzin, is a skilled mountaineer who gets to test those against the most dangerous mountain in the land when the Emperor’s favourite asks her to join his latest expedition. However, things get complicated when her sister ends up joining a rival group to get to the top first. This was my favourite book I read last year and I actually don’t mind recommending it now even though it has a massive cliffhanger because the sequel is out today (4-Dec-2018)!

Pair it with ‘Cliffhanger’ from Novelly Yours

4. The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

Is any fantasy recommendation list complete without a Sanderson book in it? Mistborn is the only series I’ve read by him so far and it has the most unique magic system I’ve ever encountered! If ashfalls in a dystopian fantasy world can be considered the rough equivalent of snow on Earth, then it totally fits the season! But mostly I think the sheer size and captivating nature of the plot will get you through the bleakest of winters.

Pair it with ‘Fantasy’ from Wick and Fable

5. Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

This is a recent favourite for me and everything from the cover to the magic system screams winter. It is a loose retelling of Rumplestiltskin featuring strong female characters whose lives intertwine in the most unexpected ways to create an unforgettable fairytale. While the many different perspectives do detract from the story a bit, I still think it is worth a read, especially if you’re in the right mood for it.

Pair it with ‘Snow Queen’ by Briar Wick

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Do you have a set of books that you reach for in the winter season? What books do you think I would enjoy based on this list? What’s your favourite part of winter? Let me know in the comments section below.