Joy of Cooking by Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker, Ethan Becker; illustrated by John Norton

“Thankfully you can have lots of cookbooks, but if you could only have one, this would be it.  It can be read from back to front just like a novel.  Plus, you always discover something homey and hearty to create that warms up both the house and the humans.”

Michael, Branch Librarian (Elizabethville Area Library)

 

 

 

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

“For me, winter always meant winter vacation, several glorious days off in a row that one could devote to a longer tale. Nothing quite like hot chocolate, a warm blanket, and hundreds of pages of fantasy to spend the afternoon. I like most of them, but I always go back to “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien. Yes, it is a bit of an overdone recommendation for high fantasy, but there is good reason for that. Many of the modern fantasy tropes were established by that book. It is also the most self-contained story, if you are not interested in reading about the rest of Middle-Earth (although of course, you really should!).”

Christopher, Help Desk Associate (East Shore Area Library)

 

 

 

 

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

“I love reading The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman during the winter. There’s adventure and polar bears and witches and kids outsmarting adults and giant thoughts about the universe and what it means to be human. It really is the whole package, not to mention a page turner, so perfect for dark, cold evenings when you need to sit with a blanket over your head and have a hot drink and ignore everyone everything else.”

Hannah, Youth Services Manager (East Shore Area Library)

 

 

 

Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick

“Stranger in the Woods by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick displays the beauty and the wonder of winter in the woods.  The woodland animals explore a stranger in their woods, a stranger that offers a tasty treat and one that can only visit during the winter. This books comes complete with a recipe for creating your own ‘stranger.’”

Debbie, Assistant Manager to Youth Services (East Shore Area Library)

 

 

 

The Shining by Stephen King

“It’s not typical holiday reading, but I’m a big Stephen King fan. It’s the perfect time of year to read a story about a family trapped in a haunted house by a snowstorm. Scary stories always go well with a cold night and a warm blanket, and this is a very scary story. I like the descriptions of the different ghosts, but the most terrifying part for me was when the little boy was playing near the hedge animals.”

Ellen, Online Content Coordinator (McCormick Riverfront Library)

 

 

 

Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hr Bookstore by Robin Sloan

“It’s not a wintery read, but a cozy one. It’s very good, sort of a casual mystery.”

Celia, Branch Librarian (Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library)

 

 

 

 

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore

“Warning: Lamb is not for the easily offended… but it is a well-researched, seriously funny novel about the lost teenage years of Jesus’ — or as we get to know him, Joshua’s — life. Biff regales us with stories about Josh’s journey east to learn from the three wise men — a magician, Hindu and Buddhist — so he can become the Messiah. And we learn about Josh’s early years, reanimating lizards so his brother can kill them over and over again, and about Josh’s death and own resurrection.

What makes this novel so wonderful is the amount of research Moore put into writing it. Yes, it’s a comedy about a religious figure, but it’s never malicious towards faith. Moore imagined what Jesus might have been like as a child and as a teenager, given his modest upbringing and also his exposure to Roman and possibly Greek culture.

But a novel by Christopher Moore wouldn’t be complete without some absurdity. How would these boys react around harlots? Did Joshua learn kung fu? What could he learn from the Buddha? What if Jesus had a snarky, wisecracking best friend and indulged in a sense of humor among all the gloom and seriousness? Lamb is a wonderful and imaginative story that reimagines Joshua’s humanity.”

Christina, Marketing Assistant (McCormick Riverfront Library)

 

 

 

Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkein

“My recommendation would be The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I love lying on the sofa, wrapped in a soft, warm blanket, sipping hot cocoa and reading about far away adventures filled with all types of heroes and villains. J.R.R. Tolkien was a master storyteller bringing hobbits, wizards, dwarfs, elves, orcs, goblins, balrogs, and necromancers to life in a land that can only be visited through reading.”

Susan, Accounting Clerk (McCormick Riverfront Library)

 

 

 

Not A Sound by Heather Gudenkauf

“In Not a Sound, the main character, nurse Amelia Winn hears not a sound as she has lost her hearing in a tragic accident two years ago.  Now Amelia discovers the body of a fellow nurse in the dense bush next a river near her home.  As this death is investigated and clues begin to surface, Amelia is swept into the mystery and finds herself at risk.

This is an emotional thriller that keeps the reader turning the page.

I found that the suspense prevalent in this book kept me captivated with the characters and with the predicaments that they found themselves involved in. Enjoy the action while staying safe and warm beneath a cozy afghan this winter.”

Ann, Reference Assistant (East Shore Area Library)

 

 

 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

“Pride and Prejudice is my go to holiday book. When I read it, I imagine the over-sized fire places, and sprawling grounds of Pemberly covered in snow (though England doesn’t get snow as we do here, that’s how I imagine it). To take a horse drawn sleigh ride with Darcy and Elizabeth would be marvelous.”

Catherine, Public Services Assistant (Johnson Memorial Library)

 

 

 

The Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson

In the winter I like to read The Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson. The forest animals slowly filter into the bears cage to stay warm over the winter. The animals turn this unexpected gathering into a party! Despite the festive activities going on in the cave the bear continues to snore on! This is one of my favorite children’s winter books because the animals are all warm an cozy in the cave and they share their food with one another. I use to read this to my daughter on cold winter nights while we snuggled under the warm blankets together! Oh and the bear reminds me of my husband.

Jennifer, Information Services Librarian (East Shore Area Library)

 

 

 

Rose in a Storm by Jon Katz

This N.Y. Times Best Selling Author is well known for his many non-fiction books about dogs and farm life. This work of fiction was inspired by his own experiences on Bedlam Farm. Written from the dog’s perspective, this is a story about  how one very intelligent and dedicated sheep dog assists the farmer throughout a bitterly cold late winter lambing season. Her job is complicated by a terrible blizzard, several injuries, dwindling supplies and circling coyotes.  Engaging and well written.

Millie, Public Services Assistant (East Shore Area Library)

 

 

 

Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

Winter Garden is the perfect curl up and savor it type of book for any cold, winter night.  It’s a mesmerizing, enchanting novel about survival, enduring love, family, and the choices that can forever haunt you. You won’t want to put this novel down.

Breana, Public Services Assistant (Elizabethville Area Library)