Perfect winter reads

The ultimate winter reading list: 14 books that hit harder in the cold

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Silence, a crackling fire, crisp cold air outside… Winter has a way of slowing everything down. And isn’t it the best time of the year to curl up with a blanket and a highly-recommended book? Whether you’ve already enjoyed some of the classics in this list or whether they are all new to you, surely you’ll find some valuable recommendations for the next few weeks!

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Let’s start the list with the obvious! In this Christmas classic, Dickens shaped the way the modern world imagines the season. It’s a slim novella that once revived fading Victorian holiday traditions.

It feels like a warm drink after coming in from the cold. 'Tis the season to read it, if you never have!

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Some books feel like returning home, and Little Women is one of them. Alcott’s portrait of the March sisters, with their ambition, frustration, hope, and heart, has charmed readers for more than 150 years.

The Civil War looms in the background, but the story itself is full of small, tender scenes: homemade plays, winter illnesses, Christmas morning sacrifices. Snow is practically another character.

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Have you read the tale that inspired Disney’s movie Frozen? This is Andersen at his most mysterious in one of his longest stories.

This tale sends young Gerda across forests, rivers, and frozen kingdoms in search of her friend Kai, whose heart has been pierced by an icy shard. Its wintry imagery is unforgettable.

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Conan Doyle’s most atmospheric mystery thrives on cold, empty spaces and the suspense that comes with them.

Sherlock Holmes navigates superstition and science while the landscape itself sharpens the tension. It all works beautifully when read on a winter evening. Especially if the wind is howling a little.

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Joyce’s collection of short stories moves through everyday Dublin life, capturing small disappointments, brief joys, and the stubborn weight of routine.

But it’s "The Dead," the final story, that cements its place on any cold-weather list. In it, snow falls over the city, softening everything… And by the end of the story, you’ll understand why!

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In this novel, Edith Wharton’s New England is pure sharp winds and quiet despair. It tells the story of a man whose life has narrowed to duty and silence, and whose one chance at happiness arrives in the snow… in the dead of winter.

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Some books feel like stepping into a snow-covered folktale, and this one does it with breathtaking ease.

Arden blends Russian mythology, medieval history, and a fierce young heroine who sees spirits others deny. Winter dominates every page.

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Tender. Haunting. And quietly mesmerizing. Set in 1920s Alaska, this novel takes inspiration from a Russian fairy tale about a child made of snow who may or may not be real.

Ivey’s prose beautifully captures the way winter can feel both punishing and strangely hopeful.

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Yes, it is a stormy autumn novel in spirit, but winter suits it even better. Brontë’s wild moors, icy winds, and stark isolation intensify the story’s fierce emotions. And the landscape becomes a character, unforgiving and unforgettable.

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At first glance, this might seem like a spring story, but winter is what shapes its magic. Burnett’s classic begins with cold corridors, silent rooms, and a desolate estate where everything feels dormant.

The transformation that follows (of the garden, the characters, and the house itself) is more powerful when you begin in frost.

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Open the wardrobe, and everything changes: A frozen kingdom and a witch who thrives on cold. Lewis’s beloved tale drops readers straight into a land ruled by winter, where snow crunches underfoot, and the air feels enchanted and dangerous.

It is a simple story at heart: four siblings, one prophecy, and their wholesome struggle between fear and hope.

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Few mysteries trap you as elegantly as this one. Christie sets her hero, Hercule Poirot, aboard the luxurious Orient Express just as it becomes stranded in a snowdrift.

The result is a locked-room puzzle with icy tension and razor-sharp precision. Every passenger hides something. Every detail matters. You won’t be able to put this one down until you know the ending!

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The Call of the Wild follows Buck, a kidnapped dog thrust into the brutal world of the Yukon Gold Rush, where snow, instinct, and survival rule the day.

The prose is direct, muscular, and unforgettable, and the wilderness feels alive in a way few books manage. Readers keep coming back because the story taps into something primal.

Image: Elena Kloppenburg

This is a novel of grand emotions and quiet winter moments. Tolstoy moves between high society and rural life with astonishing detail, and many of the book’s most striking scenes unfold against snowy Russian landscapes.

Lovers meet on frosted streets. Trains roar through drifting snow. Characters search for warmth in a world that often feels cold in more ways than one.

What science says

It was false after all: 10 health myths that sound true—but aren't

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Health myths are everywhere! These ideas were simply passed down for so long that they became part of what we believed. But now science has stepped in to clear things up. Does cold weather make you sick? Can lemon detox your body? Is reading in low light really harmful? Let's uncover the truth behind 10 common health myths!

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Have you ever been told that cutting your hair will make it grow faster? We're sorry to say that's just a myth. Hair grows from the root, not the ends. So, trimming it won't boost growth, though it does help remove split ends that can make your hair look dry or unhealthy.

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This is one of the most common health myths. Cold weather often gets blamed, but it's not the temperature that makes you catch a cold. During winter, we tend to stay indoors with others and keep the windows closed, an environment that makes it easier for viruses to spread. That's why colds tend to be more common in winter!

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The idea that eating before bed automatically leads to weight gain is a myth. In reality, it has more to do with what you eat and how much, rather than the time of day. Often, when we eat very late at night, we're tired and more likely to reach for quick, high-calorie, heavy foods. This can disrupt sleep and lead to consuming more calories than we burn, both of which may affect weight. If it's close to bedtime, it's better to have something light and healthy in a moderate portion than to skip a meal altogether.

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Does wearing glasses weaken your vision? Myth! If an eye doctor prescribes glasses, wearing them as directed helps correct your vision; it won't make it worse. Additionally, the right glasses can help prevent or reduce headaches caused by reading or spending long hours in front of a screen.

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This myth is closely related to the previous one. If you love reading and sometimes have to do it in low light because of the situation, don't worry. According to experts, reading in low light doesn't cause permanent or irreversible eye damage. However, it's not recommended because it can make your eyes feel tired or strained, leading to discomfort or headaches.

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We're all different, and so are our bodies. The idea that everyone should drink exactly eight glasses of water a day is more of a general guideline than a rule. Staying well hydrated throughout the day is extremely important, but how much water you need depends on factors like your weight, age, climate, and overall health. We should prioritize staying consistently hydrated instead of obsessing over the number of glasses we drink.

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Some people say drinking lemon water helps eliminate toxins and cleanse the body. While adding a slice of lemon to your water is a refreshing way to stay hydrated, it doesn't have any special "detoxifying" powers. The vitamin C in citrus fruits is beneficial, but the body has its own natural detox system. The liver and kidneys are the main organs that filter waste and eliminate toxins.

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Not all fats are bad! Just like other food groups, your body needs fats to function properly. The important thing is knowing the difference between healthy fats and those that can be harmful. Foods like avocados, seeds, olive oil, fish, and nuts are rich in healthy fats. On the other hand, the fats found in processed or fried foods are the ones that can have a negative impact on your body.

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Liver diseases can be serious. While heavy and frequent consumption of alcohol and fats is a major contributor, it's not the only cause. Liver problems can also result from many other factors. These include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, genetic disorders, high blood pressure, and exposure to certain chemicals.

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There's some truth to it: breakfast is important because it replenishes our glucose and energy levels and supports proper metabolism. However, the idea that it's the most important meal of the day might be an exaggeration. Everyone's body has different needs, and all meals are important, so we shouldn't skip any of them!