My Winter Reading List
This past year was one where I fell in love with reading again. My winter reading list consists of more books than I could ever read during the winter months but I will try my best to consume as much content as possible.
Growing up, I was always a reader.
I was the kid who had their nose in a book and didn’t want to play with other kids.
When I had kids of my own, my reading shifted from reading for myself to reading for my children. I am not complaining – my kids all love books and I will read for them any chance I get. But, at the end of the day, I was exhausted and didn’t have the energy to escape into a fantasy world. I definitely didn’t have the mental capacity for self improvement style books.
Utilizing My Library
I own very few books.
In the past, I had a large collection of books. But, having moved so many times in our lives, the collection has gotten smaller and smaller over time. Books are heavy and I got tired of moving them.
I love the aesthetic that old books bring to a room. I would love to have large wall to wall, wooden bookshelves. Bonus points if a library ladder is involved. Books are not only a pleasure to read but also visually pleasing for me.
One day, when we find our forever home, perhaps I will rebuild my library with physical books, but for now that is not the case.
Many of the books I read are borrowed from our local library – either in physical form or a digital form such as an ebook or audiobook.
Pre-pandemic closures, my family was taking out over 50 books every week. This would include novels for those old enough to read independently and a whole bunch of picture books. Books about whatever topics of interest caught someone’s attention would also be brought home. We are known to have cleared out all the books on a certain topic out library has to offer – like castles.
EBooks and Audiobooks
I bought a Kindle many moons ago (over 5 years ago, I think) and I love it.
Unfortunately, my library system is not compatible with Kindle so most of the eBooks I borrow must be read on my phone. If you want to get an ereader, make sure it is compatible with whatever file type your library uses if you plan to go that route.
I also do have a large collection of eBooks which I have purchased – especially from indie authors.
In the past, I subscribed to Kindle Unlimited and have discovered many new and amazing authors. I took a break from that to switch over to audiobooks.
Audiobooks are borrowed from my library and I also love Audible.
Completed Winter Reading List
Here, in Canada, we many more months of winter to go. Some people are beginning to see signs of spring where they reside, but not here. So my list of books to read this winter still has time to be completed.
But as of now, these are the books I have completed.
The Handmaid’s Tale
In Margaret Atwood’s dystopian future, environmental disasters and declining birthrates have led to a Second American Civil War. The result is the rise of the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian regime that enforces rigid social roles and enslaves the few remaining fertile women. Offred is one of these, a Handmaid bound to produce children for one of Gilead’s commanders. Deprived of her husband, her child, her freedom, and even her own name, Offred clings to her memories and her will to survive. At once a scathing satire, an ominous warning, and a tour de force of narrative suspense, The Handmaid’s Tale is a modern classic.
The F*ck It Diet
In The F*ck It Diet, Caroline Dooner tackles the inherent flaws of dieting and diet culture, and offers readers a counterintuitively simple path to healing their physical, emotional, and mental relationship with food. What’s the secret anti-diet? Eat. Whatever you want. Honor your appetite and listen toyour hunger. Trust that your body knows what it is doing. Oh, and don’t forget to rest, breathe, and be kind to yourself while you’re at it. Once you get yourself out of survival mode, it will become easier and easier to eat what your body really needs—a healthier relationship with food ultimately leads to a healthier you.
Slow
Free yourself from the frantic and embrace the joy of slow…
This is a great book about simple living and how we can slow down in such a frantic world.
The Gifts of Imperfection
Have you ever walked past a book on a shelf and then turned around and went back to grab it?
That was me with this book…
I didn’t know why but I needed to read it and I am so glad I did. All of Brene Brown’s books are on my reading list now.
Highly recommend.
It Didn’t Start With You
ok, I admit it – I am not officially completed this book. I am, at time of writing, 85% finished (at least according to the tracker on my kindle).
This book, while enjoyable, is taking me a little longer than expected to read.
It is really good but brings up lots of thoughts and emotions within me. I like to take time to process those feelings which means that I cannot binge read this book like I have done with the others.
A Grown-Up Guide to Oceans
In the summer, I listened to A Grown-Up Guide To Dinosaurs.
I found it absolutely fascinating and the narrator was amazing. When scrolling through Audible, I noticed they had a new series of a similar title.
I immediately downloaded it and started to listen. This was my daily clean up listening for about a week.
My only complaint with this series is that there are not enough episodes! I love them so much and want more.
Books, Books, and More Books
There are many other books that I have perused over the past few months. These books have not read cover to cover but are used for learning and knowledge.
I think my winter reading list keeps growing because of books like these. They spark my interest and I must learn more!
I did not want to include these in the section above because I did not necessarily read the book in its entirety but was able to absorb lots of knowledge from them and found them to be wonderful additions to my library.
To-Read… At Some Point
I have so many books on my to-read list. Perhaps this post is long enough already.
Compiling this list has made me see the styles of books I gravitate towards. I would love to add more fiction books to my list just for the fun of it.
I would love to know what books are on your winter reading list or one that you are currently reading. Either share them in the comments below or tag us on Instagram!
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