rosie abigail

Ahh Nora Ephron, the brains behind classic autumnal films such as When Harry Met Sally and You’ve Got Mail. What can I say, she knew the power of writing films featuring will-they-won’t-they couples and snowy bookshops in New York. Luckily for us, Ephron didn’t just write and direct Oscar nominated films, oh no – she’s an excellent columnist, essayist, and novel writer. 

This book walks you through moments in her illustrious career through a witty and personable lens, as well as her own thoughts on world events, American politics, and the trials of being a woman. Whilst her essays are my favourite aspect of the book, it also features excerpts from her novel Heartburn, sections from her films, and general lifestyle blog posts. You can definitely tell that some of the work was written for the period, if you get my gist, but it is still a glimpse into a warm, witty, and creative mind. 

Cold Weather Factor: It’s like a warm cup of tea in your favourite mug. 

Since about the age of thirteen, I have been reaching for this book every November. It’s the perfect introductory novel to the fantasy genre, and by default, into the world of The Lord of the Rings. Whilst written to be a children’s book, Tolkien is known for his depth of lore when it comes to characters, so it is both an easy read and fairly meaty in terms of story. 

As the title suggests, this novel centres around a hobbit, Mr Bilbo Baggins in particular, and his life changing adventures. From exploring a dark and beautiful forest, to discovering secret doors and battling dragons, this book taps into the imagination we all had as a child and lets it run wild. Every time I pick up this novel, it makes me want to jump into the book and walk through crispy leaves with Bilbo and the dwarves.

Cold Weather Factor: Reading this book feels like when you wrap yourself up in your winter coat for the first frost, and stumble upon a well-worn path you forgot you frequented in your youth. 

What is it about books set in New York that make them so readable in the colder months? I think it’s because of the romantic portrayals on screen; everyone can imagine walking down a New York street amongst the brown leaves or meandering around Central Park in the snow. But for me, the story of Patti Smith’s memoir fits so well in the in-between stage between autumn and winter as it is a coming-of-age story. It’s all about change, adjustment, and learning – and the burgeoning punk scene in New York, of course. 

This book is also perfect for the cold weather because it’s simply heart-warming. The presentation of friendship and platonic love runs throughout the book as a backbone and forms the centre of this memoir. It makes you want to message your friends to tell them how much you appreciate them.

Cold Weather Factor: Feels like walking into a warm, log burner fuelled house, and your cold fingers and toes tingle as they start to warm up.

I first read this book whilst sunning myself on a lounger on holiday, but now it springs off my bookshelf the same time my coat is pulled out of storage. I think it’s all to do with the genre.

We tend to think of gothic, sci fi or dystopian novels as quintessential cold weather reading due to their proximity to Halloween – think Dracula, Frankenstein, and even 1984.

On paper, this novel is an intricate look into the realities of friendship and the dream of nostalgia. But underneath all that love? We’re talking dystopian, gothic, science fiction, uncanny valley at its finest.  Plus, the novel is set in a boarding school in Britain so you can imagine the falling leaves and frost on the ground. Once the season of The Shining and Rebecca is over, reach for Never Let Me Go.

Cold Weather Factor: Bridges the gap between the horror lead books of autumn and the cosy reads of December. 

Whilst this book is the newest to me, I know it is going to be a cold weather staple. Dark academia? College in verdant Vermont? Reverse murder mystery? This just screams ‘give me a hot drink and a blanket, immediately!’

In its form alone, The Secret History is a campus novel about a group of misfit students in a small but elite university. But the story gets moving when they cross the moral boundaries society has put in place. In terms of thrilling aspects, the location and story make you want to look over your shoulder and question everyone around you, even if you are alone in your living room. It’s an example of dark academic at its finest, and the go to book if you want a thrilling read. 

Cold Weather Factor: Makes you want to pull on some riding boots and Louis Vuitton jacket just to go and drink a black coffee and read a book in a dark wood lined coffee shop.