We’ve been pretty smug out here on the West Coast this winter. What with our beautiful sunny mild days. Strolling in the sunshine, I have definitely seen some guys walking around in shorts. Seems like while the rest of North America was barricading themselves in the house with piles of blankets and warm beverages, we’ve been sipping our lattes beachside.
But that all changed this week when we were hit with our own version of extreme cold weather. Last night it hit -8.3 degrees, a record breaking cold. And I know, believe me, I know that this isn’t cold the way everyone else experiences it blah blah blah. We’re from the West Coast OK? This is madness and I’m not totally sure we’ll survive it. Also? Everywhere else it’s a dry cold, it’s a wet cold here and that gets into your bones.
Despite the fact that I have to work, which seriously cuts into my reading time, cold weather does make rather excellent reading weather. I mean, what are you going to do instead? Go outside!?
So here, a list of books I’d rather be curled up with, fireside, covered in a blanket with my dog next to me and a cup of tea within arms’ reach:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. Bronte books are always super moody anyway so why not curl up with one taking place in swirling winds? You’ll burrow deeper in your blankets and be so toasty and warm. Plus, the relationship between Jane and Mr. Rochester? That’ll keep you warm.
War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. You’re not going anywhere are you? Might as well stay home and make some headway through this beast of a book. Think about how accomplished you will be when you rejoin civilization all “When I was snowed in? Oh I just finished off War and Peace” like it’s no big deal. The same could be said for Les Miserables really. Or The Goldfinch if you prefer your books more modern.
Anything by Agatha Christie. There is nothing, and I mean nothing, more satisfying than reading about a murder in some charming English locale on a cold, cold day. Seriously, try it. Tell me I’m wrong (I’m not).
Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy. The cover of the copy I own has a fireplace on it – it’s basically meant to be read in cold weather. Plus anytime you read anything by Maeve Binchy it’s like putting on an old, warm sweater or giving yourself a literary hug. You basically owe it to yourself to read Maeve Binchy when the weather is cold.
From Splendor to Revolution: The Romanov Women from 1847-1928 by Julia P. Gelardi because I think that cold weather would be conducive to reading about Russian royals. You can marvel at the fact that everyone was cold all the time while you turn up the heat or source another blanket. Plus, mammoth non-fiction is always better when you have the time to really sink your teeth into it.
How about you? What’s your go-to cold weather read?
The Paperback Princess 
And don’t forget the nap. Laying around, reading, and snacking almost always leads to a nap time! Perfect day!
That’s it. That’s the perfect day.
I feel so wimpy – even -8 is unthinkably cold for someone from the South of England.
-8 foot under water on the other hand…
I would go for the longer read and finally get round to the first volume of A la recherche… or talking about volumes, there is an article in the LRB about The Cazalets which is lovely cosy listening when read by Penelope Wilton. She has a very warm voice and there is something about that family that makes me want to *live inside* their lives – all of them! The plot and circumstance of the novels aren’t exactly rivetting and it’s not compelling, but it’s more familiar and drowsy making.
-8 is plenty cold for me too! Luckily we’ve warmed up and now it’s raining. Rain I can handle!
I like the idea of a longer read as well. I’ve never thought about listening to a book though! Maybe that’s something to try on another nasty day.
Often I listen to a book as a second best, to get an idea of what it is about, or it’s just there on the radio and it saves me the trouble of finding a book that I didn’t 100% want to read anyway. But the reading really added something warm and soft, which as different.
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