Conversations about books are one of our favorites in our mother-daughter relationship. When we talk, we almost always ask what the other has read lately. Haley has reached a point where she uses book stacks as decorations around her house. Shelley has more limited space due to living on the road, so she gives books away when she's done. Regardless if the books stay in our possession or get sent back out to the world, we love every one for its own reason. We think it's always reading season, but there is something special about curling up with a book and hot cup of coffee and reading the weekend away during the winter. We put together a few books we would recommend. They each have a short synopsis and our reason for enjoying them.
COZY READS
-The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan
Set in the hills of Scotland, Nina finds herself on a new adventure matching a book with the right person from her book van. Pair it with beautiful descriptive language and a love story that takes a minute to figure out. This book about books is altogether charming.
Some of our favorite reads are books about books, and this one doesn't disappoint. It's an afternoon read if you can steal away the time. A great reminder that life doesn't always go as planned, and sometimes it's for the better.
-The Secret Lives of Dresses by Erin McKean
Dora finds herself back in her hometown, caring for her grandmother and running the family vintage store. A story of family, mysterious dress stories, and a little bit of love, this meets all the cozy vibes. This book will put a smile on your face if you love vintage clothes. As a family that has spent a lot of time with antiques and vintage clothing (family trade), we couldn't help but smile as we read about the lives that were conjured up behind the dresses. It made us want to rush to our closest vintage/thrift shop and write stories of our own. It also definitely made us feel underdressed but in a good way.
-Astrid and Veronika by Linda Olsson
Sometimes tragedy rears its head and can stay with you a long time. This beautifully written novel touches on the topic of tragedy and connection. Astrid and Veronika have both experienced tragedy decades apart and now heal themselves and each other through their companionship. It offers a reminder not to judge those around you too quickly and sets it all in Sweden's beautiful scenery. If you want a book that touches profoundly and lasts a long time, this is the read for you.
FUN FICTION
-Early Riser by Jasper Fforde
Jump into a world where winters are so bad the people hibernate until spring. Somebody has to stay awake to keep things in order. Charlie is a first season Winter Consul. He deals with viral dreams, villains, a stamp collection robbery, Nightwalkers, and some mythical winter folklore, all in the first week of the deep winter.
Jasper Fforde is one of our all-time favorite authors. His Thursday Next Series is a treat, and this standalone novel is as well. A master of creating new worlds and keeping you hooked to what comes next. Early Riser is a fun mystery that cannot be predicted, and that's precisely why we love it.
-Mem by Bethany C. Morrow
There is so much mystery behind this book. Science has found a way to extract memories from people and keep them in a vault. These memories take on the original host's appearance, holding onto the one memory and nothing more. Dolores Extract #1 begins to take on memories of her own. Set in the art deco vibes of the 1920's it's easy to get lost in this alternate reality.
-The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
A mysterious circus that appears overnight, dueling magicians, a brilliant love story, and a world of magic make this book hard to put down. We purchased this book as a mystery purchase. It was wrapped, and all we had was a short description. We each chose a book, read it separately, and swapped. We both adored this book and the magic it holds. If you enjoy a world of fiction, this book is for you.
DREAMING OF WARMER WEATHER
-An Embarrassment of Mangoes by Ann Vanderhoof
Steve and Ann chuck away a typical lifestyle to bring a dream together in the Caribbean. I love an unscripted life, one you write yourself that includes warm weather and laid-back attitudes. Add in Mangoes of every size, and you've got yourself a winner.
-Tales of a Female Nomad by Rita Golden Gelman
This is my life-changing read. The first one that showed that life could be lived differently than a 9-5 job and a house with a picket fence. I will forever be grateful to Rita for showing me the way. Her madcap immersion in to different cultures is food for the soul.
-Road Fever by Tim Cahill
Tim Cahill is my favorite comedic writer. You can't go wrong with any of his crazy adventures. A writer for Outside Magazine for years, Tim lived just up the road from our hometown in Idaho. Road Fever captivates from the outset at the bottom-most tip of South America, Tierra del Fuego, all the way through 23 ½ record-breaking days to the Northernmost terminus at Prudhoe Bay. If adventure travel is what you seek, Tim delivers.
We don't often need a reason to spend the day with a book in hand, but the winter season makes it easier to explain to those around us. If the weather outside is sub-par, then nobody questions our bookish ways. Take advantage of the cold weather and snuggle up with a book. We won't tell.
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