Not sure what to read for the Winter Reading Challenge? We have recommendations for all categories, and all ages! Pick up a Winter Reading bingo sheet at the library. Check out our young adult, youth, and picture book recommendations!
All the books listed here are available at the library. Stop in, give us a call, or use the online catalog to place a hold and check one out. All book descriptions are provided by librarians here at the library, the publisher on the back of the book, on Goodreads, or through the library catalog.
Read a book that was recommended by someone. Technically this whole post would work for that category, but these are a few of Amelia’s favorites!
Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas: In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle for a chance to win her freedom and serve as the king’s champion. The Crown Prince provokes her, and the Captain of the GUard protects her, but something evil is lurking in the castle. This is the first book in the epic Throne of Glass series. Available on Boundless (e-book) and Libby (audio/e-book)
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell: Hamnet tells the story behind the creation of one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays, Hamlet. An eye-opening look into a marriage, and the heartbreaking loss of a child. The story follows the struggles and vindication of Agnes against the backdrop of the Black Plague. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (audio)
Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid: After shattering every record and claiming twenty Slam titles, it’s time for Carrie Soto to retire. When someone threatens to take her record, she makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement with her father as her coach. This riveting emotional novel tells the story of the cost of greatness and what it takes to be a legendary athlete. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (e-book)
Read a book about a character who doesn’t look or live like you.
The Mothers by Brit Bennett: During her senior year of high school, Nadia starts up a relationship with the pastor’s handsome son Luke, resulting in an unexpected pregnancy. Nadia hides her secret from everyone including her best friend Aubrey. Follow Nadia, Luke, and Aubrey as they maneuver choices and what-ifs that continue to haunt them. Available on Boundless (e-book) and Libby (audio/e-book)
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Dare: Adunni is a fourteen-year-old Nigerian girl who wants an education, but as the only daughter of a broke father, she is a valuable commodity. She is removed from school and sold as a third wife to a much older husband. Adunni may be a subservient wife and powerless servant, but she won’t be silenced. Available on Libby (audio)
Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: In 1970s Afghanistan, twelve-year-old Amir is desperate to win the local kite-fighting tournament and his friend Hassan promises to help him. Neither of the boys can foresee what would happen to Hassan that afternoon. After the Russians invade and the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realizes that one day he must return to Afghanistan under Taliban rule to find redemption. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book/graphic novel) and Libby (e-book)
Read a book written in verse.
Musical Tables by Billy Collins: A collection of more than 125 short poems from the former United States Poet Laureate, Billy Collins. He describes his poems as tending to start in Kansas and end in Oz.
Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman: This poetry collection from presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman features musical language, and themes of identity, grief, memory, and hope. Her poem The Hill We Climb that was read at the inauguration for President Biden in 2020 is included in the collection. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (audio)
The Hurting Kind by Ada Limon: The Hurting Kind features thought provoking poems about the interconnectedness of humans and nonhumans, ancestors and ourselves, and more. Ada Limon was named the 24th Poet Laureate of the United States by the Librarian of Congress in 2022. Available on Hoopla (audio/e-book)
Read a food-related book, or check out a cookbook and try a recipe.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke: Hannah Swenson has her hands full trying to dodge her mother’s attempts to marry her off while running The Cookie Jar. But once the beloved delivery man from the Cozy Cow Dairy is found murdered behind her bakery her life just can’t get any worse. Determined not to let her cookies get a bad reputation, she sets out to track down a killer. Available on Boundless (e-book), Libby (audio/e-book), and Hoopla (audio/e-book)
The Best Ever Cookie Book by Good Housekeeping: Whether you go right to the chocolate or are more of a buttery shortbread fan, there’s a special cookie here just for you. The Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen presents their best-ever, tested-‘til-perfect recipes! Plus, a chapter devoted to holiday cookies will become your favorite for celebrations all year round.
Love, Lies, and Cherry Pies by Jackie Lau: As the last single daughter in her family, Emily’s mother is fixated on getting her married, and her sights are set on Mark Chan. To put an end to her mother’s meddling, Emily decides to convince Mark to pretend to date. As they begin to spend more and more time together, Emily realizes that Mark isn’t quite what she assumed.
Read a book involving a winter holiday.
Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict: The annual Armitage Christmas Game is underway at Endgame House, and this year’s prize is to die for. Lily Armitage competes with her cousins for the twelve days of Christmas, but not everyone is playing fair. How many will die before the winner is declared? Available on Hoopla (audio/e-book)
Love You a Latke by Amanda Elliot: Tasked with planning the fledgling Hanakkah festival in her Vermont town, and as the only Jew on the tourism board, Abby Cohen is desperate for support. Seth’s parents have been badgering him to find a “Nice Jewish Girlfriend” and when he answers Abby’s plea for help online, he can’t pass up the opportunity. Available on Libby (e-book)
Second Chance Year by Melissa Wiesner: In one fell swoop, Sadie Thatcher lost her job, apartment, and her boyfriend. When a fortune teller at a New Year’s Eve party offers her a wish, Sadie jumps at the chance to redo her year. She didn’t actually expect to wake up on January 1… of last year. Available on Libby (e-book)
Read a book that makes you feel cozy.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: As a New England mother struggles to support her family as her husband serves in the Civil War, her daughters struggle, too – caught between childhood dreams and the realities of adulthood. For Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, negotiating the right path in life means making choices that will either narrow or expand their destinies. Available on Boundless (e-book), Libby (audio/e-book), and Hoopla (audio/e-book)
Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laura Gilmore: Jeanie is starting fresh as the owner of the Pumpkin Spice Cafe in the small town of Dream Harbor. Upon her arrival into town, she disrupts the routine of local grumpy farmer, Logan. Will Logan be immune to her charm, or find himself drawn to her? Available on Libby (e-book) and Hoopla (audio/e-book)
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune: Wallace has a suspicion he might be dead when a reaper comes for him at his own funeral. When Hugo, the owner of a peculiar tea shop promises to help him cross over, he’s pretty sure he’s dead. As a ghost, he finds he isn’t quite ready to abandon the life he barely lived. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book), Libby (audio/e-book), and Hoopla (audio)
Read a book that got made into a movie or TV show.
Wicked by Gregory Maguire: If you’ve seen The Wizard of Oz, you only know Dorothy’s side of the story. Wicked gives us the story of the mysterious, green-skinned Elphaba, who will grow up to be the infamous Wicked Witch of the West. Available on Libby (audio/e-book) and Hoopla (audio/e-book)
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead: Author of The Underground Railroad, Colson Whitehead brilliantly dramatizes another strand of American history through the story of two boys sentenced to a hellish reform school in 1960s Florida. Based on a real reform school in Florida that operated for 111 years and warped the lives of thousands of children. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (e-book)
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu: Willis Wu plays many roles in his own life, but never the main character. After stumbling into the spotlight at the Golden Palace restaurant, he finds himself in a world he’s never known, discovering the secret history of Chinatown and a buried family legacy. Available on Boundless (e-book), Libby (audio), and Hoopla (audio/e-book)
Read something from the new shelves.
Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown: Maya is returning to Princeton for her ten year college reunion, which happens to coincide with her sister Naomi’s graduation. This exciting weekend soon becomes a nightmare when Naomi is found dead. As Maya digs into Naomi’s death, and the secret society she was involved with, she finds more and more connections to her own past at Princeton. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (audio/e-book)
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid: A gothic, atmospheric reimagining of the story of Lady Macbeth, Shakespeare’s most famous villainess, giving her a voice, a past, and power. Follow Roscile as she marries Macbeth, a Scottish brute, and discovers secrets, prophecies, and her own magic that threatens the order of the world. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book) and Libby (audio/e-book)
Brothers by Alex Van Halen: In this intimate and open account—nothing like any rock-and-roll memoir you’ve ever read—Alex Van Halen shares his personal story of family, friendship, music and brotherly love in a remarkable tribute to his beloved brother and band mate. Available on Boundless (audio/e-book)