Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Wintery Reads

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week there is a new topic for bloggers to choose and list their top ten. This week’s theme is Top Ten Wintery Reads.

I’m not sure if I can say why I picked the books I did this week, why I’d class them as ‘Wintery Reads’ over any other book. Personally though when it starts getting darker earlier and colder every day all I want is to curl up with a book that’s more magical than deadly; so be prepared to see plenty of magical realism, fairytale retellings, and childhood nostalgia on my list this week.

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The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

As well as being my all time, ultimate favourite standalone this is my quintessential wintery read. The Night Circus was the first book I thought of for this list when I saw this week’s theme and I’d love to try and re-read it in December, maybe it’ll be a book I pick up on Christmas day.

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

For me it doesn’t get much more nostalgia-y than the Harry Potter series. I can’t really put my finger on what makes this a wintery read for me, but I’d love to explore Hogwarts during the Christmas period, not to mention attend one of the feasts they have.

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The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

It should be obvious what makes The Bear and the Nightingale a wintery read, but despite the fact that it follows Vasilisa’s story through the harsh Russian winters it’s the magical aspects that I first thoughts of; the spirits and demons only Vasilisa can see, and the old folk tales woven into the story.

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Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Again I can’t really put my finger on what makes this a wintery read for me. It fits the theme of a book which is more magical than deadly, something I love to dive into in the winter months, and there’s something about Laini Taylor’s writing that makes me believe in magic again.

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My True Love Gave to Me by Stephanie Perkins (Editor)

I’m not normally a fan of anthology collections – they tend to be very hit or miss for me – but My True Love Gave to Me ended up being a favourite of mine. There aren’t many books I’ve found set solely in the Christmas period, but this is one and for me it’s a must-read for the season.

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Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik

When it comes to fairytale inspired stories Naomi Novik is one of the best authors, and Spinning Silver is an incredible read. Set in an endless Winter brought forth by the Staryk King this book has the same magical feel The Bear and the Nightingale did, which meant it was a must for my list.

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La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman

Granted Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series isn’t as nostalgic for me as the Harry Potter books are, but again it was a must for this list for me. The original trilogy broke my heart, and reading The Book of Dust brought back so much love for those books.

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The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo

I had to include one of Leigh Bardugo’s books on my list this week. I’m not sure what it is about fairytales but they’re my ultimate wintery read, and The Language of Thorns has plenty of stories reminiscent of those written by the Grimm Bothers; full of magic but with some deadly twists.

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Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Granted I put the book on my list this week (because the theme is ‘Wintery Reads’) but I feel like the movie would work just as well ( movie which I am watching as I write this post). Stardust is a favourite of mine, and like with The Night Circus I want to try and re-read it in December.

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Hunted by Meagan Spooner

I wouldn’t say this is my favourite fairytale retelling, but Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite fairytales and there’s something about the way Hunted was written that brought back to mind the original classic fairytale. Either way I’m excited for Meagan Spooner’s next solo release.

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So what do you think? Did you take part in this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, if so let me know what your wintery reads are. Did any of the ones that made my list make yours, if not what book would you say is your quintessential wintery read that you’d recommend I pick up ASAP?