Books to Read this Winter
Winter is the perfect time to cozy up with a cozy, whimsical and/or very immersive book. Here are some of my favorite books to read in the winter.
Here is more info about these books ⬇️⬇️⬇️
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Furthermore and Whichwood by Tahera Mafi are set in the same world.
Furthermore follows Alice, a colorless girl in a colorful world who is looking for her a dad who disappeared with nothing but a ruler.
Whichwood (my favorite of the two) is about a girl who is the last in her village with the ability to wash the dead and send them on to the afterlife. After her mom dies the piling work load causes her fingertips and hair to start turning silver (meaning she is dying). Alice and Oliver(from Furthermore) come to help her with her workload and help her bring color back into her life.
These two books are so deeply whimsical. They feel like watching the movies Alice in Wonderland or Caroline
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In the Starless Sea A PhD students finds a story from his childhood in a book older than him. Investigating this leads him to an underground library and puts him the middle of a conflict between those who want to destroy it and this who want to protect it.
This book is written so beautifully and so filled with deep metaphors that fold on themselves. It feels like swimming in a library filled with honey. Watching a story unfold only to find another story in it and yet another story in that one.
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We Hunt the Flame and We Free the Stars follow the story of a girl who is tasked with bringing back magic to her world. Meanwhile the Prince of the empire is an assassin tasked with killing her.
You come out of these books feeling not only like you went on an incredibly physical journey with the characters but also that you went on an long emotional and relational journey with them and what a place have we landed!
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Six of Crows follows a cast of 6 characters who each have a reason for going on a very dangerous heist whose reward can change their lives. Each character’s back story is so compelling but together they make a story that is hard to put down.
Omg it is HARD not to fall in love with these characters. The heist is exciting but you stay for the RELATIONSHIPS and not just for the romantic ones.The friendship are deep and heartbreaking and heartwarming in turns. Ultimately this series is really a character study
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In The Water Dancer Hiram has impeccable memory but the only memory he cannot access is that of his mother who was sold by his father. Eventually Hiram would need this memory because it is through memory that Hiram can access a power that helps him transport his people to freedom.
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In the Architech’s Apprentice, we follow our main character’s life from his childhood in India to his immigrantion to Istanbul where he is responsible for caring for an elephant that he has a very special connection to. He also ends up working for an architect who builds monumental structures and buildings for the empire.
Architecture is such a great medium to keep track of the main character’s emotions at different times. It is a beautiful story
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Babel follows Robin who is plucked from the clutches of death and taken to the UK to hone his skills in language because language is used to power the magic system that the empire runs on. This book has very atmospheric dark academia vibes while also tackling a very serious topic.
It has all of the darkness, and all of the obsession and all of the passion you would want from this type of book.
#winterbooksvibes #winterbooks #winterreads #winterreading #bookrecommendations
Okay, book lovers, let's dive deeper into a book that truly captured my imagination this winter: Tahereh Mafi's 'Furthermore.' You know how sometimes a book just feels right for the season? For me, this whimsical story was an absolute escape from the chilly weather outside, transporting me to a world bursting with color and magic, even if our protagonist, Alice, starts off 'a colorless girl in a colorful world.' When I first picked up 'Furthermore,' I was immediately drawn in by the promise of a unique adventure. The concept of Alice, who lacks color in a place where everyone else is vibrant, searching for her vanished father with only a mysterious ruler as a clue, is just brilliant. It's not just a fantastical quest; it's a deeply personal journey of self-discovery. Alice's yearning to belong and to understand her own uniqueness resonated with me. The way Mafi describes the landscapes and the magical elements is truly enchanting – it’s like reading a painting. The imagery is so vivid, you can almost taste the magic and feel the whimsy. It reminds me of the imaginative spirit of films like 'Alice in Wonderland' or 'Coraline,' which the original article briefly touched upon, but 'Furthermore' carves out its own deliciously peculiar niche. What truly makes 'Furthermore' shine as a winter read is its immersive quality. When it’s cold and dark outside, there's nothing better than losing yourself completely in a book, and this one does exactly that. The world-building is intricate yet easy to navigate, drawing you into its logic and charm. And let's not forget the emotional core! Alice’s determination and vulnerability make her a character you can't help but root for. The challenges she faces, both external and internal, are beautifully explored, making the fantastical feel deeply human. Now, for those who loved 'Furthermore,' you have to check out its companion novel, 'Whichwood.' As the original post mentioned, they share the same world, and 'Whichwood' delves into another fascinating character, Laylee, who carries the heavy burden of washing the dead. It's a slightly darker, more poignant tale, but still infused with that distinctive Mafi magic. Seeing Alice and Oliver from 'Furthermore' appear in 'Whichwood' adds another layer of delight, connecting these two enchanting narratives seamlessly. They truly complement each other, offering different perspectives within the same whimsical universe. And regarding the 'Furthermore' book cover (which I know many of you search for!), I find it perfectly captures the essence of the story. The subtle hues and the depiction of Alice with her white hair against a dreamy, almost ethereal backdrop perfectly hint at the magic within. It's understated yet captivating, just like the story itself. It’s the kind of cover that makes you want to pick it up and dive into its unique world, even before you read the first page. So, if you're looking for a book that will transport you, warm your heart, and offer a truly unique reading experience this winter, 'Furthermore' by Tahereh Mafi should definitely be at the top of your list!