12 Cozy Books That Feel Like Winter

Winter is the perfect time to grab a blanket, sip some hot cocoa, and settle in with a good winter-themed book. Whether you’re after cozy winter vibes or just want to escape into a new world, I’ve got some great recommendations for you. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good holiday rom-com or a Christmas mystery, but this list brings more than that. While it includes a romance novel, the focus is more on comforting fantasy books and heartwarming literary fiction set in winter. There are also classic winter reads that feel like a warm hug, and a few other cozy surprises. These are the kind of books that are perfect to enjoy by the fire while the snow falls outside!

Cozy Books That Feel Like Winter

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Is there anything more magical than stepping through a wardrobe and finding yourself in a winter wonderland? The first book in the list The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the ultimate winter escape. The land of Narnia is trapped in a cold, snowy enchantment under the White Witch’s rule, and you can practically feel the chill as you read. But it’s not all gloom—the warmth of Aslan’s presence and the bravery of the Pevensie siblings bring hope. It’s perfect for fans of magical adventures that feel both nostalgic and epic.

Narnia… the land beyond the wardrobe door, a secret place frozen in eternal winter, a magical country waiting to be set free.

Lucy is the first to find the secret of the wardrobe in the professor’s mysterious old house. At first her brothers and sister don’t believe her when she tells of her visit to the land of Narnia. But soon Edmund, then Peter and Susan step through the wardrobe themselves. In Narnia they find a country buried under the evil enchantment of the White Witch. When they meet the Lion Aslan, they realize they’ve been called to a great adventure and bravely join the battle to free Narnia from the Witch’s sinister spell.

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Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

There’s something about Little Women that just feels like a cozy blanket on a cold day. From the sisters gathered around the fire to the heartwarming moments of family life, the book is full of that warm, homey feeling—especially during the winter scenes. Jo March is one of my all-time favorite characters; her determination and tomboy spirit are so relatable. The ups and downs of the March family’s life are both touching and timeless. Plus, it’s always nice to get lost in a classic during the colder months.

Generations of readers young and old, male and female, have fallen in love with the March sisters of Louisa May Alcott’s most popular and enduring novel, Little Women. Here are talented tomboy and author-to-be Jo, tragically frail Beth, beautiful Meg, and romantic, spoiled Amy, united in their devotion to each other and their struggles to survive in New England during the Civil War.

It is no secret that Alcott based Little Women on her own early life. While her father, the freethinking reformer and abolitionist Bronson Alcott, hobnobbed with such eminent male authors as Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne, Louisa supported herself and her sisters with “woman’s work,” including sewing, doing laundry, and acting as a domestic servant. But she soon discovered she could make more money writing. Little Women brought her lasting fame and fortune, and far from being the “girl’s book” her publisher requested, it explores such timeless themes as love and death, war and peace, the conflict between personal ambition and family responsibilities, and the clash of cultures between Europe and America.

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Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Winter Garden alternates between present-day and war-torn Leningrad, weaving together a mother’s hidden past and her daughters’ search for truth. The wintery, Russian fairy tale vibe makes it a perfect book for those chilly evenings. It’s deeply emotional, full of family secrets, and will leave you feeling both heartbroken and hopeful by the end. If you’re into family dramas with a historical twist, this is your winter read.

Meredith and Nina Whitson are as different as sisters can be. One stayed at home to raise her children and manage the family apple orchard; the other followed a dream and traveled the world to become a famous photojournalist. But when their beloved father falls ill, Meredith and Nina find themselves together again, standing alongside their cold, disapproving mother, Anya, who even now, offers no comfort to her daughters. As children, the only connection between them was the Russian fairy tale Anya sometimes told the girls at night. On his deathbed, their father extracts a promise from the women in his life: the fairy tale will be told one last time—and all the way to the end. Thus begins an unexpected journey into the truth of Anya’s life in war-torn Leningrad, more than five decades ago. Alternating between the past and present, Meredith and Nina will finally hear the singular, harrowing story of their mother’s life, and what they learn is a secret so terrible and terrifying that it will shake the very foundation of their family and change who they believe they are.

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The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

If you’re craving a book that truly captures the essence of winter, The Snow Child is the perfect pick. Set in the wilds of Alaska in the 1920s, this novel is as cold and beautiful as the setting itself. The story of Jack and Mabel, a couple struggling with isolation and loss, takes a magical turn when they build a child out of snow—and she mysteriously comes to life. The descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness are stunning, and you’ll feel like you’re in the snow. This book is a mix of magic and reality, and the slow, thoughtful pace makes it a great winter read.

Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart–he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season’s first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone–but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees. This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and somehow survives alone in the Alaskan wilderness. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who could have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in this beautiful, violent place things are rarely as they appear, and what they eventually learn about Faina will transform all of them.

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Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

Snow Falling on Cedars has that perfect mix of mystery and wintery atmosphere. So I would suggest reading it during a snowstorm. Set on a small island in the Pacific Northwest, the book centers around a murder trial with deep ties to World War II and the Japanese internment camps. The way Guterson describes the island blanketed in snow is so vivid, you can almost feel the chill as you turn the pages. It’s a slow, suspenseful read with layers of emotion, perfect for when you’re in the mood to really go deep into a story.

Gripping, tragic, and densely atmospheric—a masterpiece of suspense San Piedro Island, north of Puget Sound, is a place so isolated that no one who lives there can afford to make enemies. But in 1954 a local fisherman is found suspiciously drowned, and a Japanese American named Kabuo Miyamoto is charged with his murder. In the course of the ensuing trial, it becomes clear that what is at stake is more than a man’s guilt. For on San Pedro, memories of a charmed love affair between a white boy and the Japanese girl who grew up to become Kabuo’s wife; memories of land desired, paid for, and lost. Above all, San Piedro is haunted by the memory of what happened to its Japanese residents during World War II, when an entire community was sent into exile while its neighbors watched.

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I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas by Tiffany Schmidt

If you’re looking for something light, fun, and full of Christmas spirit, I’m Dreaming of a Wyatt Christmas is a delightful holiday rom-com. It’s got everything—a ski trip, ballet, babysitting drama, and, of course, a bit of romance. Noelle is a small-town girl who’s known for her Christmas cheer, and her holiday adventures with Wyatt make for a festive, cozy read. This one feels like a Hallmark movie in book form, perfect for reading by the fire with a hot chocolate.

Ballet and babysitting bring two teens together in this very merry holiday rom-com from the author of the acclaimed Bookish Boyfriends series

Noelle Partridge is known for three things: being the best ballet dancer, babysitter, and person with the most Christmas spirit in her small town. But lately she’s bored by the lessons at her dance school, and her friends and father are more bah humbug than Hallmark movie marathon. So when her favorite babysitting clients ask her to accompany them on a ski trip over winter break, she packs her bags for the slopes. It helps that they’re offering double her rate—she’ll need the money for Beacon, an elite ballet academy that’s granted her an audition. 

Noelle is ready to “Deck the Halls” and have fa la la la fun, until Wyatt, the older half-brother of her babysitting charges, decides to surprise his family for the holiday. He’s one of the best dancers at Beacon, and makes Noelle’s head spin faster than pirouettes. Unfortunately, she also manages to step on his toes—spoiling his surprise and complicating his secret plans. After a few missteps, Noelle and Wyatt begin to thaw toward each other and bond over the big decisions looming in each of their lives. With enough Christmas magic, Noelle might just start the New Year with lots of babysitting cash in her pocket and a chance with the pas de deux partner of her dreams.

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A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Little Princess is one of those books that feels like pure childhood magic, especially with its winter scenes. Sara Crewe’s story of going from riches to poverty and finding hope in the darkest moments is as heartwarming as ever. The snow-covered setting adds a lovely touch of whimsy, and Sara’s imagination is what truly carries the story. If you’re into books that make you feel like you’re wrapped up in a warm blanket, this is a classic that never gets old. This is one of my favorite cozy winter books.

Sara Crewe, an exceptionally intelligent and imaginative student at Miss Minchin’s Select Seminary for Young Ladies, is devastated when her adored, indulgent father dies. Now penniless and banished to a room in the attic, Sara is demeaned, abused, and forced to work as a servant. How this resourceful girl’s fortunes change again is at the center of A Little Princess , one of the best-loved stories in all of children’s literature.

This unique and fully annotated edition appends excerpts from Frances Hodgson Burnett ‘s original 1888 novella Sara Crewe and the stage play that preceded the novel, as well as an early story, “Behind the White Brick,” allowing readers to see how A Little Princess evolved. In his delightful introduction, U. C. Knoepflmacher considers the fairy-tale allusions and literary touchstones that place the book among the major works of Victorian literature, and shows it to be an exceptionally rich and resonant novel.

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What Beauty There Is by Cory Anderson

This one has all the haunting, wintery vibes you could want in a thriller. What Beauty There Is follows Jack, who’s on a desperate mission to protect his brother, and Ava, who is caught in her father’s criminal schemes. The cold, harsh setting of winter adds to the tension.It’s a bit darker than some of the other novels on this list, but if you love a good suspenseful winter read with emotional depth, read this one.

Jack Morton has nothing left. Except his younger brother, Matty, who he’d do anything for. Even die for. Now with their mother gone, and their funds quickly dwindling, Jack needs to make a choice: lose his brother to foster care, or find the drug money that sent his father to prison. He chooses the money.

Ava Bardem lives in isolation, a life of silence. For seventeen years her father has controlled her fate. He has taught her to love no one. Trust no one. Now Victor Bardem is stalking the same money as Jack. When he picks up Jack’s trail, Ava must make her own wrenching choice: remain silent or help the brothers survive.

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The Iron King by Julie Kagawa

Meghan Chase discovers she’s the daughter of a mythical faery king, and this revelation plunges her into a magical world full of danger. The wintery vibe comes through in the faery realm, where Meghan must face cold, icy creatures and a prince with a heart as frozen as the land he rules. The world-building is rich, and the story’s mix of action, romance, and adventure will keep you hooked from the start. It’s perfect for anyone who loves a cozy fantasy escape with a bit of a winter chill.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan’s life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she’s known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth – that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she’ll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil, no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.

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The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Talk about winter vibes—this book practically is winter. Set in the Russian wilderness, The Bear and the Nightingale follows Vasilisa, a young girl who grows up surrounded by fairy tales and folklore. The story is steeped in Russian traditions, and the cold, harsh winters play a big role in the atmosphere. It’s one of those beautifully written books that feels like a dark, enchanted fairy tale. If you love novels about strong, magical heroines who have to fight against both human and supernatural forces, this is one that will pull you right into its snowy world.

At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn’t mind—she spends the winter nights huddled around the embers of a fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, she loves the chilling story of Frost, the blue-eyed winter demon, who appears in the frigid night to claim unwary souls. Wise Russians fear him, her nurse says, and honor the spirits of house and yard and forest that protect their homes from evil.

After Vasilisa’s mother dies, her father goes to Moscow and brings home a new wife. Fiercely devout, city-bred, Vasilisa’s new stepmother forbids her family from honoring the household spirits. The family acquiesces, but Vasilisa is frightened, sensing that more hinges upon their rituals than anyone knows.

And indeed, crops begin to fail, evil creatures of the forest creep nearer, and misfortune stalks the village. All the while, Vasilisa’s stepmother grows ever harsher in her determination to groom her rebellious stepdaughter for either marriage or confinement in a convent.

As danger circles, Vasilisa must defy even the people she loves and call on dangerous gifts she has long concealed—this, in order to protect her family from a threat that seems to have stepped from her nurse’s most frightening tales.

The Bear and the Nightingale is a magical debut novel from a gifted and gorgeous voice. It spins an irresistible spell as it announces the arrival of a singular talent.

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Little House in the Big Woods  by Laura Ingalls Wilder

This classic is all about life in the wilderness, and the way Laura Ingalls Wilder describes the cold, snowy winters of the 1870s makes you feel like you’re right there in that little log cabin. Little House in the Big Woods is the first in the Little House series, and it’s perfect for anyone who love stories about family, pioneer life, and making the best of hard winters. The cozy scenes of Christmas, homemade toys, and the warmth of family really shine through, making the book a perfect winter novel that’s both nostalgic and heartwarming.

Based on the real-life adventures of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House in the Big Woods is the first book in the award-winning Little House series, which has captivated generations of readers. This edition features the classic black-and-white artwork from Garth Williams.

Little House in the Big Woods takes place in 1871 and introduces us to four-year-old Laura, who lives in a log cabin on the edge of the Big Woods of Wisconsin. She shares the cabin with her Pa, her Ma, her sisters Mary and Carrie, and their lovable dog, Jack.

Pioneer life isn’t easy for the Ingalls family, since they must grow or catch all their own food as they get ready for the cold winter. But they make the best of every tough situation. They celebrate Christmas with homemade toys and treats, do their spring planting, bring in the harvest in the fall, and make their first trip into town. And every night, safe and warm in their little house, the sound of Pa’s fiddle lulls Laura and her sisters into sleep.

The nine books in the timeless Little House series tell the story of Laura’s real childhood as an American pioneer, and are cherished by readers of all generations. They offer a unique glimpse into life on the American frontier, and tell the heartwarming, unforgettable story of a loving family.

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Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

Winter, wolves, and love—Shiver hits all the marks for a cold-weather read. Grace has always been fascinated by the wolves that live in the woods behind her house, particularly one wolf with striking yellow eyes. Turns out, he’s not just a wolf, and their love story unfolds with the changing of the seasons. The cold and snow play a huge part in this supernatural romance, making it a book that’s perfect to curl up with when the weather gets chilly. It’s moody, atmospheric, and a little bittersweet—perfect for fans of young adult fantasy with a wintery touch.

For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without.

Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.

Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

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