This month’s reading challenge centers around the weather: read a book set in winter! If you’re not into holiday-themed fiction, there are plenty of books set in winter without the holiday theme. Check out a few of our suggestions below, and let us know what you’re reading this month for the challenge!
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
Genre: Children’s Fantasy, Classic
Four adventurers step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change . . . and a great sacrifice.
Magyk by Angie Sage
Genre: Middle Grade, Sword and Sorcery
Septimus Heap, the seventh son of the seventh son, disappears the night he is born, pronounced dead by the midwife. That same night, the baby’s father, Silas Heap, comes across an abandoned child in the snow—a newborn girl with violet eyes. Who is this mysterious baby girl, and what really happened to the Heaps’ beloved son Septimus?
A Greater Love by Rachel Ann Nunes
Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction
Miguel Silva is a street orphan who will do anything to avoid the wrath of his alcoholic aunt and to keep his little sister, Sara, happy. He and Sara roam the streets of Portugal, begging and stealing to feed and clothe themselves. A sudden twist of fate throws them into an even colder world, where their only chance for survival is Daniel and Cristina Andrade.
Daniel Andrade has put his bitter past behind him and found a new life with Cristina. But the past returns in force when Miguel steals his wallet on the ferry, throwing into motion a series of unstoppable events. Daniel doesn’t want to face the secrets of the past or open his heart to anyone—yet that is exactly what he must do or face losing everything he loves.
Cristina Andrade also has secrets. Now she must choose between her husband and the deep longing in her heart. Or is there a compromise? Only Miguel can help them find the way—and time for Miguel is running out. Can the Savior’s love heal them all before it’s too late?
Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George
Genre: YA Fairy Tales and Folklore
Blessed—or cursed—with an ability to understand animals, the Lass (as she’s known to her family) has always been seen as strange. And when an isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out, and promises that her family will become rich if only the Lass will accompany him to his castle, she doesn’t hesitate.
But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle, which is made of ice and inhabited by a silent staff of servants. Only a grueling journey on the backs of the four winds will reveal the truth: the bear is really a prince who’s been enchanted by a troll queen, and the Lass must come up with a way to free him before he’s forced to marry a troll princess.
A Lake House Holiday by Megan Squires
Genre: Holiday Romance
Jolene Carter lives in Merrylark Lake, a quaint town where neighbors are like family and vacationers become fast friends. With her dream of opening a downtown storefront on hold, Jolene volunteers wherever she can, whether it be at Cat’s Coffee Cart or the town’s annual tree lighting. It is while she’s tending to her neighbor’s vacation rental that Jolene meets Luke, a cowboy with a mustang rescue and a past he’s hoping to leave back at the ranch.
Luke Handley isn’t one to believe in holiday magic. That disappeared when his winter wedding was called off and his honeymoon was canceled. But the more time he spends in Merrylark, the more he’s convinced this magic exists. When Luke’s ex unexpectedly shows up as the other half to the lake house reservation, things get complicated. Luke knows all the magic in the world won’t clear up this misunderstanding. If he’s learned anything from Jolene, though, it’s that helping others is the most effective way to show love. With a surprise up his sleeve and a little help from his new Merrylark friends, Luke hopes he’s able to do just that.
The Girl in Gray by Annette Lyon
Genre: Historical Fiction
In December of 1939, Sini Toivola is sure of two things: she loves Marko Linna, and she has a comfortable life in Helsinki. But when the massive Soviet army invades her beloved homeland and Marko spurns her affections, her life is turned upside down. Needing a fresh start, Sini decides to join the female volunteer corps—the Lotta Svärd—and is sent to serve near the front lines. Service at a field hospital proves a good distraction—until Sini discovers a Russian soldier lost behind their camp.
Duty requires her to turn him in, but her heart begs to keep him safe and help him escape. Torn between love for her country and love for her enemy, Sini must choose—but no matter what choice she makes, heart-wrenching consequences await them all.
What book set in winter will you be reading this month? Let us know in the comments below!
I am reading The Twelve Topsy-Turvy Very Messy Days of Christmas by James patterson
I’m currently reading Reindeer Ridge series
I’m reading The Dim Sum Of All Fears.
A cozy mystery by Vivien Chien.
This month I’ve read four of Vivian Arend’s Christmas novellas (warm, wonderful stories that just got better and better as I tore through them), two of Melissa McClone’s Christmas novels (enjoyable reads with interesting search and rescue back stories) and one of Patricia Eddy’s short stories ‘Unwrapping Her’ (real and relatable characters with an engaging plot that I wish was longer). I’m listening to a Rachel Grant audiobook that I originally read last year as an ebook. Winterhawk is an outstanding holiday romantic suspense centred around a very cool application of drone technology. Loved it before and am finding listening to it adds a special something.
I’ll be reading “Christmas for Victoria” by C. A. Cline.
I am reading One Spicy Christmas Elf by Lucy McConnell
Read Wildwood Lodge by Jennifer Griffith, The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber, and A Witch for Mr. Mistletoe by Deanna Chase