Curl up with a mug of hot cocoa and crack open one of these wonderful wintry reads, from snowy historical fantasy to mountain chateau thrillers and beyond. If your book club loves to read along with the seasons like I do, you’ll love these atmospheric seasonal picks!
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Atmospheric Winter Novels for Book Clubs (All Genres)
It doesn’t snow in Austin (where I live), and snow was also pretty uncommon where I grew up (Seattle, Washington), so I love to immerse myself in snowy winter reads. That way, I can experience the full seasonal effect from my favorite cozy chair. 🙂
I’m sharing some of the best winter-inspired reads below, so you can enjoy them along with your book club (or on your own!). The list includes everything from literary and contemporary fiction to mysteries, fantasy, and historical fiction, so you’re sure to find a perfect fit for your book club’s reading tastes. I even threw in a few festive holiday reads, just for fun!
(For more seasonal book club reads, check out these sun-drenched summer book club books and these cozy & spooky fall book club reads! And for anytime picks, try these must-read book club books of 2024.)
Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy
Genre: Literary Fiction/Speculative Fiction
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This breakout international bestseller is about a woman who is determined to follow a flock of Arctic terns (a type of bird) as they attempt their annual migration, in a near-future version of Earth where most animals have gone extinct.
She travels by boat – along with a crew of fishermen – over frigid waters, from Greenland to Antarctica.
This book reminded me a lot of Station Eleven. Not quite so much in scope, but in tone. It was sad yet hopeful, with character development you can really sink into.
It’s not an easy read – there’s a fair amount of trauma, and it’s frightening how relevant the environmental issues are to our current times – but it’s an important one. Beautifully written, too.
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
Genre: Historical Fantasy/Mystery
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Set in China in 1908, The Fox Wife explores the Chinese folklore of fox spirits who are believed to transform themselves into beautiful humans in order to lead people to their deaths.
When a woman’s body is found in the snow – her death swirling with rumors about the fox gods – a detective is called to investigate.
Meanwhile, a cursed family believes they are about to lose their eldest son, until a mysterious woman arrives. It seems her arrival may have turned their luck around – but can she be trusted?
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery
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Written by the bestselling author of Code Name Hélène, this historical mystery novel is set in Maine during the late 1700s.
It follows the midwife of a close-knit community, who’s drawn into the investigation of a shocking murder – despite the risks it poses to her and everyone she cares about.
This was also a Good Morning America book club pick.
Here are more engrossing historical fiction novels perfect for book clubs!
Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield
Genre: Historical Fiction/Magical Realism/Mystery
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Set in the late 1800s, this historical mystery – woven with threads of fantasy/magical realism – follows the inhabitants of a town in England near the river Thames.
One winter night, a child is found on the riverbank. She isn’t breathing. Hours later, she miraculously stirs. But where did she come from, and how is she alive?
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Crime
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This novel is Knives Out meets a holiday romantic comedy featuring rival mystery/thriller authors – Maggie and Ethan – as they attempt to solve a mystery while snowed in at an English estate.
They’re both invited to a Christmas party by reclusive, famous mystery author Eleanor Ashley. But when she disappears from the party, Maggie and Ethan are forced to work together if they have any hope of saving Eleanor.
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Genre: Historical Fiction/Magical Realism/Fairy Tale Retelling
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A childless couple arrives in Alaska in the 1920s, attempting to start a homestead. But the winter is brutal, and they struggle to make ends meet.
At the first snowfall, the couple builds a girl out of snow. The next day, the figure is gone – but they find a young girl in the forest, and decide to raise her as their own.
But where did the girl come from?
This historical magical realism story is inspired by a Russian fairy tale.
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Genre: Historical Fiction
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A family moves to the outskirts of Alaska in the 1970s, completely unprepared. But the harsh winter isn’t the only thing they’re up against.
This engrossing, emotional story is about love, survival, and family, set against the backdrop of the Alaska wilderness.
This was a solid 5-star read for me (one of my favorite books of all time, in fact), and I highly recommend it. Side note: you might want to keep a box of tissues nearby!
Here are my favorite Kristin Hannah historical fiction books!
The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon
Genre: Paranormal/Mystery/Horror/Historical Fiction
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This is an engrossing book for anyone who loves reading ghost stories during the winter (like I do)!
Set in a small town in Vermont that’s swirling with eerie legends, this story follows a young woman named Ruthie living in an old, remote farmhouse with her mother.
One day, her mother goes missing. Ruthie finds an old journal hidden in her mother’s bedroom, hoping it will give her some answers – however strange they may be.
Winter People is a harrowing ghost story with a unique angle, full of family secrets.
It’s multilayered, switching between time periods and mysterious characters. (I did have a little trouble following the different timelines at first, but it gets clearer after a little while!).
The Book Club Hotel by Sarah Morgan
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
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This contemporary fiction novel set during Christmas is perfect for book lovers!
Single mom Hattie Coleman owns the Maple Sugar Inn, a go-to destination for the winter holidays (with a beautiful library!).
Hattie is just hoping to get through her busiest season. But when a group of lifelong friends checks in for a book club holiday, she feels drawn to them.
It seems they’re all at a crossroads – Hattie included – and they could all use a little help healing and making some changes in their lives.
The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson
Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Novella
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An art student is invited to her classmate’s manor house in the Cotswolds for the holidays.
But despite the village’s festive and cozy appearance, dark secrets haunt the area – and the classmate’s brother is being investigated for murder by the local police.
I really enjoyed this quick and engrossing read. In fact, I read it in one sitting! It’s twisty and atmospheric, with a snowy winter setting.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
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Beartown is set in a small community, nestled in the middle of a snowy forest. Amid shocking secrets that threaten to rip the town apart, the high school hockey team inspires hope.
I’ll be honest: I never thought I’d read a book about hockey, let alone enjoy it. But this emotional story isn’t just about hockey.
It’s about families and teams and the community they represent. It’s about mistakes and pain; redemption and love. Tearing each other down and building each other up.
It will make you care about its characters, and, yes, about hockey – even if you didn’t think you could.
And, if you love this book and its characters like I did, you’ll be happy to hear it’s part of a trilogy!
Shiver by Allie Reynolds
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When ex-snowboarder Milla is invited to the French Alps for a reunion with some friends from her competition days, she’s intrigued enough to show up.
It’s been years since they’ve all seen each other, and the remote mountain resort they’re staying at brings back lots of memories: both good and bad. It also dredges up a whole load of secrets, especially surrounding the mysterious death of one of their friends 10 years ago.
But things aren’t always as they seem, and it turns out someone will do anything to get the truth.
I loved this book – it’s a perfect locked-room mystery to curl up with on a chilly night! It’s set in a snowy mountain chateau, so the atmosphere is ideal for winter reading.
A Winter in New York by Josie Silver
Genre: Romance/Contemporary Fiction
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From the author of One Day in December and The Two Lives of Lydia Bird comes a contemporary romance novel set in New York City during the holidays.
Young chef Iris – new to the city – is hired by gelato stand owner Gio to help recreate his uncle’s secret recipe. Little does Gio know, Iris has the exact same gelato recipe, passed down to her from her mother.
Iris and Gio grow closer as they work to save the stand, but Iris’ secrets threaten to unravel when Gio’s uncle returns.
Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia
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This quirky, humorous, and genre-bending mystery novel features an eccentric cast, plenty of pop-culture references, and an old – but grand – hotel that was the site of a murder years prior.
The story is set amongst the backdrop of a brewing blizzard that threatens to trap everyone inside the hotel.
Happy reading! Do you have any favorite winter novels that would be perfect for book clubs to read and discuss?