10 Books That Feel Like Winter

“Winter is coming…”

Where is that line from? If you know it, you’ve obviously read (or watched) Game of Thrones. But could the epic saga by George R. R. Martin really be classified as a winter book?  While it may not be cozy in the traditional sense, winter, as threat, metaphor, and mood, is deeply woven into its world.

Winter, at least where I live in western Canada, brings short grey-skied days and long, dark nights. It’s cold and rainy, with the promise of snow always lingering. Life slows down. Friends and family gather together in closer-than-usual quarters. 

Here’s a list of novels that are either set in winter, feature memorable winter scenes, or simply feel like winter to me.

Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

“Christmas won’t be Christmas without any presents…”

Few openings feel more winter-perfect than this one. Snow, scarcity, and sisterhood, is the opening setting of this classic.  Little Women is a novel that wraps you in layers like a blanket and can be reread at different times throughout your life.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling

The Hogwarts Christmas scenes alone earn this book its place on any winter reading list. Snow-covered grounds, crackling fires, feasts in the Great Hall, and the comforting rhythm of school life make this a favourite winter read.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – C.S. Lewis

“Always winter, never Christmas”-  until hope arrives. Narnia’s frozen landscape is both mythic and symbolic, making this one of the most enduring and meaningful winter novels ever written.

Snow Falling on Cedars – David Guterson

Set in the Pacific Northwest, this novel captures a quiet, damp winter filled with snow, fog, and moral tension. Introspective and atmospheric, it’s a perfect choice for readers drawn to reflective winter fiction.

The Call of the Wild – Jack London

I remember reading this as a child. Brutal, icy, and elemental, this classic survival story places winter at the center of its power. The cold is unforgiving, shaping both the landscape and the characters who must endure it.

Anne of Green Gables – L.M. Montgomery

Snowy walks, lamplit windows, and emotional warmth define this beloved Canadian novel. Though not exclusively set in winter, its cozy atmosphere makes it an ideal comfort read during colder months.

Winter Solstice – Rosamunde Pilcher

Literally winter-themed and British in tone, this novel offers found family, quiet emotional healing, and a gentle sense of hope which is perfect for fireside reading.

If We Were Villains – M.L. Rio

A snowy campus, Shakespeare, obsession, and moral ambiguity give this dark academia novel its wintry edge. The cold seeps into both setting and psyche.

The Night Circus – Erin Morgenstern

Not strictly a winter novel, but snow-dusted, nocturnal, and magical. This is a book best read in the liminal thinning between worlds in December, when darkness falls early and imagination is closer to the surface.

Final Thoughts

Winter reading doesn’t have to mean snow on every page. Sometimes it’s the emotional temperature of a a book - a feeling of coziness or coldness that evokes the season. But whatever it is, Winter is always the perfect season to curl up with a good book.