7 Slow Reads for Cosy Winter Nights

As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, there’s nothing quite like curling up in a warm cozy corner with a good book to while away the long winter nights.

There’s a quite a unique charm in settling down with a “slow read” that allows you to savor every word and immerse yourself in a world rich with storytelling.

So brew yourself a hot beverage, light a few candles and get ready to enjoy one of these 7 slow reads for cosy winter nights:)

1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Inspired by their classes in the Ancient Greek studies program, six eccentric students at an elite college in New England engage in a lifestyle of unconventional thinking that goes beyond the margins of everyday morality.

The story is told by Richard Papen (the latest edition to the group) who reflects on the sequence of events that led up to killing their fellow student Bunny.

This thick book is bound to keep you busy for several hours during the long cosy winter nights. In my opinion ‘The Secret History’ is somewhat slow paced and rambling at places (a slow burn thriller?) but it is definitely one of those perfect reads a cosy winter night!

2. Verity by Colleen Hoover 

With psychological thrillers, I often see the end coming, but this book has one of the best end twists I’ve ever read!

Jeremy Crawford hires Lowen Ashleigh to complete his wife Verity’s series of popular books. Verity, a famous author, is unable to do the job herself due to an unfortunate accident.

Lowen spends her days in Verity’s office hoping to find some information to help her get started on the books, but her mission is soon diverted when she finds Verity’s unfinished autobiography full of horrifying confessions.

Lowen considers to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, but when she starts to develop romantic feelings for him, she feels compelled to share the truth.

This memorable pager is the perfect slow read for a cosy winter night!

3. The Maidens by Alex Michaelides

Alex Michaelides (author of the fantastic The Silent Patient) meets Donna Tartt’s The Secret History! If you like thrillers set on campus, or dark academia vibes, then this books is for you!

A girl gets murdered at St Christopher College, Cambridge, so Mariana Andros goes to support her niece, Zoe, who is a student at the college.

Soon more girls are killed and Mariana begins to think a professor has something to do with it.

I liked this book, because I kept wondering who the killer was, right up to the end! Unfortunately it is not quite as good as The silent patient, but you will still enjoy it on a cosy winter night!

4. The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi

“The Henna Artist” must be one of my favorite books up to date. It is a captivating novel that takes readers on a journey through the vibrant and enchanting world of 1950s India.

This evocative story immerses us in the life of Lakshmi, a talented henna artist who crafts intricate designs for the high-society women of Jaipur. Beyond her artistic talents, Lakshmi harbors a secret past and aspirations for a better future.

The novel intricately weaves themes of tradition, ambition, and the transformative power of self-discovery against the backdrop of a richly portrayed historical and cultural landscape.

5. Where the Crawdads Sing

This book reminded me of ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’. Perhaps because the characters and plot are so unforgettable! Where the Crawdads Sing has now made it to my top favorite 5 books ever:)

First let me begin with the unforgettable Kya Clark—a girl who triumphs in unforgiving circumstances. Abandoned by her siblings, mother and father, 7-year-old Kya miraculously learns to survive life in the marsh on her own in the 1950’s.

We meet Tate. The wonderful young man who looks past the prejudice against Kya whom the villagers call ‘Marsh Girl’. There’s Jumpin—a colored man who like a father, helps and supports Kya in any way he can. And there’s Chase Andrews the village’s ‘golden boy’ who is found dead.

The investigation turns to Kya. Will she be found guilty?

6. The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

This book is definitely on my top 10 list of favorite books. The weather has been getting colder here, and I’ve been enjoying this book so much, that it had to make it to my list of slow reads for cosy winter nights!

Theodore Decker survives a devastating terrorist attack at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which changes the course of his life forever. In the chaos and aftermath, he becomes the keeper of a priceless artwork, “The Goldfinch,” and embarks on a tumultuous journey through the worlds of art, crime, and personal redemption.

Tartt’s exploration of grief, love, and the enduring power of beauty within chaos is both haunting and unforgettable!

7. The Witch Elm by Tana French

In “The Witch Elm” by Tana French, readers are transported into a world of gripping mystery and psychological intrigue.

The story centers around Toby, a young man who, after a violent encounter, seeks refuge with his family in the ancestral family home known as the Witch Elm. When a skull is discovered in the garden, Toby becomes entangled in a complex web of family secrets, lies, and hidden truths.

Tana French, known for her masterful storytelling and deep character development, weaves a suspenseful and atmospheric tale that delves into the murky depths of memory, identity, and the dark corners of human nature.

There you have it friends. If you have read one of these books please leave a comment in box below 🙂 I love to hear from fellow readers!

Wishing you happy slow reads on cosy winter nights!

Sincerely,

Elaine