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.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.The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Ann Patchett is the literary equivalent of receiving a big, enveloping hug from a friend!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'.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.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.
