Winter Reading Rec's

And a wrap on 2025!

Up where I live, you can count on a few days of epic snowstorms. Days when I just want to make a pot of tea (or a big, rich latte) and curl up on the sofa with the fluffiest blanket, a cat or two, and a good book.

And I really love to read things seasonally. It’s not a requirement, but there’s something fun about reading a book that takes place in the cold when it’s cold out. I know that might make me weird; it’s a label I’m quite comfortable with.

So without further ado…here are the winter reading recommendations for 2025! These are listed in no particular order:

Horror/Comedy: Listen to Your Sister by Neena Viel

This book made me both laugh and cry…all within the context of a scary, at times terrifying, page-turner I could not put down. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book that so seamlessly moved between comedy, horror, family (and the feels that brings up) and me literally saying aloud: “WTF!!” If you’re looking for something that pushes the limits of all the genres it touches, and does so by playing with dreamworlds and reality, you cannot miss this book. I loved it.

Gothic Fiction: The Last Witch in Edinburgh by Marielle Thompson

I love anything Gothic and Historical. Give me a spooky atmosphere, a strong woman as a protagonist, something supernatural, maybe a bit of romance, and I’m ready with my fluffy blanket and my tea. This book ticks all the boxes with a story about bringing folks together to fight the mystical and physical embodiment of the patriarchy. As they say: “hashtag here for it.”

A Novel with a Twist: The Appeal by Janice Hallett (sequel: The Silent Appeal and companion novella The Christmas Appeal )

Told through a series of emails, text messages, and transcripts, The Appeal made me chuckle, laugh out loud, and nearly create my own crime board as I tried to keep track of all the characters. It’s a cheeky whodunit and just a lot of fun. Protip: Early in, there are a couple of lists of involved people. Mark those pages so you can come back to them as you go! Otherwise, it’s pretty tricky keeping track of all the characters and where they fit in.

Autobiography & Personal Growth: The Runner: Four Years Living and Running in the Wilderness by Markus Torgeby

A little-known fact about me is that I enjoy following the stories of endurance athletes, particularly those who have made unconventional lifestyle choices. Torgeby, as a young man, chooses to experience four seasons in a tent, running or skiing miles to shop for food and supplies. This memoir offers a glimpse into what he thought he was looking for and what he found. Pro tip: Have a map of Sweden handy! It was fun looking up the different locations he talks about.

Personal Growth: The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo

I received this as a gift from a caring friend just over a year ago, after having spent a tumultuous period moving my mom to memory care and clearing out her condo to sell. The book itself became another caring friend, a daily touchpoint for me. Each day offers a reflection on life, relationships, and presence, followed by prompts for meditation, journaling, or thought exploration. It’s a wonderful gift you can give yourself or others.

From the YA Stacks: I Am Still Alive by Kate Marshall

One truth about me is that I rarely read books twice. My TBR (To Be Read) list is so long that I’m always eager to get to the next thing. That said, I’ve read this twice and I’m already gearing up for another read. This combines survivalism, cold weather, and great storytelling. Last year, I enjoyed reading bits of it before going snowshoeing, where I could feel some of the story come to life…but with the safety of knowing I was going to hop in my car and drive home when I was done.

Thriller: Mind of Winter by Laura Kasischke

Ok, so I have to be honest here and offer up a bit of a trigger warning: this book goes to some pretty dark places. If that’s not for you, you’ll want to skip it. For me, I love Kasischke’s writing. It’s atmospheric and dense, and the story, with its unexpected twists, is both pretty damn disturbing and also totally addictive. I couldn’t put it down, even though when I finished it, I felt a bit of relief.

Creative Nonfiction/History: The Children’s Blizzard by David Laskin

One of the great tragedies of the American Midwest is what later became known as “The Children’s Blizzard,” named as such because so many children died. This book tells real stories of real people in ways that make the historical record come alive for contemporary readers. There are plenty of purely fictional accounts based on this event, many of which I’ve read, but I always recommend folks start with what gives the widest perspective and is most closely tied to what really happened.

Supernatural/Winter Ghost Story: The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

Easily my favorite book by one of my favorite authors, this takes place in Vermont! It was one of those books I simply could not put down and I’m planning a second read for this winter. The story follows two timelines, a literary device I love because it keeps me engaged and gives me the sense of having read two books for the “time price” of one. This is one for folks who love a spooky mix of atmosphere, folklore, and great character development.

Need more books? Check out the Summer Reading Rec’s List Here.

I hope you find something wintery, eerie, expansive, or just plain fun to curl up with in the coming months. Let me know if you have fun reading recommendations, too!

And now I’m so happy to say: that’s a wrap for 2025. Since this blog started in April, I’ve published six self-coaching guides and more than two dozen posts, garnering over 1000 views! Wow, what a gift you all have given me. Thank you.

Subscribership is growing and, as always, your shares and recommendations of this Substack and my services help a small business out so much. Thank you for being part of this adventure, from the bottom of my heart.

There is so much to look forward to in 2026, including some really fun announcements I’ll share early in the new year.

But for now, the discounted tarot link I wrote about a few weeks ago will be up a wee bit longer. If you don’t see any times on the scheduler that work for you, feel free to email alignedinsightcoaching@gmail.com. We can always find a solution.

And if you’re looking to end your year on an affirming and reflective note, be sure to check out this post from last week.

Starting next week, I’ll be hunkering down with my books and my cats, baking all the treats, and, hopefully, hitting the trails in my snowshoes.

May your days be merry and bright; may your heart be full of light.

The warmest of holiday greetings from me, your coach Erin, here at Aligned Insight Coaching.