Cosy Reads for Cold Dark Nights

It's that time of year when all we want to do is close the curtains, wrap ourselves in blankets and immerse ourselves in some great reads. When it's dark and cold, sometimes it's a seasonal read that we crave, sometimes it's something set in warmer climes. Above all, we all want something that provides a cosy escape from the gloom of the British winter. The Willoughby team has compiled a short list of some of our favourite reads for this time of year. So read on and be inspired (and maybe pop the heating on while you're at it!).

Affinity by Sarah Waters

Affinity was my first experience of reading Sarah Waters- and what a introduction it was! No matter which time period she writes about, her rich, immersive storytelling is perfect for some cosy escapism during the colder months. Often described as romps, Waters fills that space between super readable popular fiction and a more literary take on the historical novel. With Affinity, she introduces the reader to the intriguing tale of Margaret Prior and Selina Dawes. When Margaret meets the spirit medium, Selina, in a women's prison as part of her rehabilitation charity work, Margaret is drawn into the world of spirits, shadows, and deception!

- Olivia

The Poirot series by Agatha Christie

I would recommend anything by Agatha Christie, brilliant reads for any time of the year, but absolutely perfect for a cosy night in front of the fire.

I only read my first Agatha Christie book last year but am now a big fan and I’m working my way through them. Easy to get absorbed in from the start, they are usually centred in a quaint village or an old grand house, with some interesting characters, everyone is a suspect and has a motive, the clues are uncovered and the stories all come together nicely at the end. My favourites of hers would be the Poirot books and I already have ‘Hercule Poirot’s Christmas’ on my shelf ready for a lazy wintery afternoon, under a blanket with a hot chocolate.

- Chloe

The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers

Ten years ago, Violet Everly’s mother disappeared tyring to break the family curse, but time’s up for Violet and she must set out to find her mother along with trying to break the curse, before it’s too late.

When I picked this up, I was looking for something magical and fantastical to carry me through the dark evenings and I’m very glad I opened it up and started reading! A generational curse, a headstrong protagonist and fickle gods, a quest, a secret magical world with a hint of romance, what more could you ask for?

I’d recommend this to anyone who loved The Starless Sea just as much as I did, it’s just as rich with adventure and imagination. I’m looking forward to reading more by Georgia Summers, especially on a cold winter’s night.

- Alisha

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

Ann Patchett is the literary equivalent of receiving a big, enveloping hug from a friend!

Her writing is exact, but never sharp, warm, yet never saccharin. She is able to create such wonderfully real characters, that you'll be reluctant to leave them. She reminds me a little of Elena Ferrante in this regard, so if you have read The Neapolitan Quartet and have yet to dip into Patchett's oeuvre, The Dutch House would be a fantastic place to start. Fairytale-esque in tone, we follow two siblings across the decades, as they navigate the extremes of wealth and poverty, the death of their mother, and the unshakeable bond between them both- all set into motion by the purchase of the beautifully imposing Dutch House.

- Olivia

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

The ultimate example of cosy fantasy, The House in the Cerulean Sea is TJ Klune's first book in their Cerulean Chronicles. It follows the story of Linus Baker, a Case Worker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth, who has been assigned to a secretive mission on Marsyas Island, where a group of magical orphans are living, including the antichrist himself aka. 'Lucy'.

There's found family, magic, humour, and heaps of warmth and joy to be found in its almost 400 pages. Even if you don't ordinarily read fantasy books, this is one of those crossover titles that will delight adults of all ages and tastes. If you like this one, you should also check out the equally lovely Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree.

- Aishah

The Last Supper by Rachel Cusk

I wouldn't typically select a book based in warmer climes for a cosy read, but sometimes armchair travel can be quite the tonic for when you are feeling a bit chilly and need some inspiration for future adventures. The Last Supper charts Cusk and her family's time in Italy, as they drive from country to city and back again, exploring art and beauty in the face of the banality of routine, and what it means to approach new experiences with novelty and freshness. Expect funny encounters with locals and beautiful descriptions of food, art and landscape.

Cusk is a tremendous mind and this is a piece of travel memoir that keep you warm through the colder, darker evenings.

- Olivia

The Travelling Bag and Other Ghostly Stories by Susan Hill

Winter is for dark fables and spooky stories, so for my cosy read I offer you a small, elegant book of tales from the master of the macabre, Susan Hill.

This is a small collection of short, ghostly tales that are perfect for dark, chilly nights. These are not too dark- just enough to enjoy cosying up with while the rain beats down on the windowpanes. Enough for a shiver, not enough that you will be scared to go up to bed at the end of the night!

- Marianne