- Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/162535) - []() - []() - []() # 23 Must-Read Books for Winter Reading Discover 23 standout books for every reader this winter — handpicked by the book experts at NoveList. ![Two people sitting close together on a light-colored couch, wrapped in a bright red blanket. One person is holding an open book, and both are wearing patterned winter sweaters. Behind them is a large window with white framing, showing greenery outside. The foreground is softly blurred, suggesting a cozy indoor setting.](https://assets.ebsco.com/asset/3e01349c-26b8-4982-8999-f2b7f2ef5c5a/best-winter-recs.jpg) [Rebecca Honeycutt](/novelist/bio/rebecca-honeycutt) 11 December 2025 The chill of winter presents the perfect opportunity to cozy up with a good book. But first you’ve got to find one! This winter, as the library ecosystem shifts, it’s more important than ever to have a dependable source of expert book recommendations. Library staff and readers alike can trust [NextReads ](https://about.ebsco.com/novelist/products/libraryaware/nextreads-newsletters)newsletters, curated by real human librarians, for a quick snapshot of recent releases and high-interest older books. As an example, take a look below at some of the exciting NextReads selections from this winter. Don't have NextReads? No worries, anyone can check out these books! For info about how to access NextReads, scroll to the end of the list. ## Hot literary fiction for a cold season - *Palaver* by Bryan Washington - *Bog Queen* by Anna North - *The Eleventh Hour* by Salman Rushdie ## Highlights for nonfiction fans - *We Survived the Night* by Julian Brave Noisecat - *Dead and Alive* by Zadie Smith - *The Shape of Wonder* by Alan Lightman - *Book of Lives* by Margaret Atwood - *We Did Ok, Kid* by Anthony Hopkins ## Escape with science fiction and fantasy - *Katabasis* by R.F. Kuang - *Red City* by Marie Lu - *The Summer War* by Naomi Novik - *Coldwire* by Chloe Gong ## Creep into the new year with horror - *Girl Dinner* by Olivie Blake - *King Sorrow* by Joe Hill - *Snake-Eater* by T. Kingfisher ## New books from award-winning middle grade creators - *Basket Ball* by Kadir Nelson - *The Lions' Run* by Sara Pennypacker ## Memoirs by musicians - *Simply More* by Cynthia Erivo - *Bread of Angels* by Patti Smith - *Insomnia* by Robbie Robertson ## Picture books to share - *Rumpelstiltskin* by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Carson Ellis - *Magick Hoodoo Child* by Amber McBride, illustrated by Violeta Encarnación - *I'm So Happy You're Here* by Mychal Threets, illustrated by Lorraine Nam NextReads newsletters aren’t just great for readers — they’re a time-saving tool for staff, offering ready-to-go book recommendations that make working with readers faster, easier, and more effective. And they're included in every LibraryAware subscription. [ I'm interested in NextReads ](https://about.ebsco.com/novelist/products/libraryaware/nextreads-newsletters) --- [Rebecca Honeycutt](/novelist/bio/rebecca-honeycutt "Rebecca Honeycutt") is the Content Development Coordinator for NoveList. They are currently reading *The Poisoned King* by Katherine Rundell. Category: [Articles ](/blogs/novelist/category/articles) Tags: [Readers' advisory](/blogs/novelist/tag/readers'-advisory) [LibraryAware](/blogs/novelist/tag/libraryaware) [NextReads](/blogs/novelist/tag/nextreads) [Book recommendations](/blogs/novelist/tag/book-recommendations) - Share - [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://about.ebsco.com/markdownify/node/162535) - []() - []() - []() ## Related Posts [ ![Person sitting outdoors on a bench, wearing a knit hat and wrapped in a red-and-blue patterned blanket, reading an open book.](https://assets.ebsco.com/asset/f4b373a6-da30-41c2-a5fd-b6257f1717aa/Winter-reading.jpg) ](/blogs/novelist/how-two-libraries-beat-winter-reading-slump) [How Two Libraries Beat the Winter Reading Slump ](/blogs/novelist/how-two-libraries-beat-winter-reading-slump) 13 November 2025 [ ![](https://assets.ebsco.com/asset/c8f23ee9-8e7c-4155-846e-c4d2b5ac6b32/Consistene-Messaging.jpg) ](/blogs/novelist/consistent-emails-get-readers-use-library) [Consistent Emails Get Readers to Use the Library](/blogs/novelist/consistent-emails-get-readers-use-library) 11 March 2025 [ ![A smiling adult sitting on a green couch reads a red book in a cozy living room. They have short gray hair, wear glasses, and are dressed in a tan cardigan and white shirt. A softly lit lamp and shelves with plants, baskets, and décor are visible in the background.](https://assets.ebsco.com/asset/f4877f88-abb3-4db0-815f-8a48c84c90dd/Reaching-Challenge-26.jpg) ](/blogs/novelist/2026-novelist-reading-challenge) [Announcing the 2026 NoveList Reading Challenge ](/blogs/novelist/2026-novelist-reading-challenge) 2 December 2025