10 Fantastic Books to Read on Rainy and Snowy Days
I do not know if you are the same, but when I see rain and snow in the weather forecast, I get excited. Why? Because rainy and snowy days are the perfect time to snuggle beneath a warm blanket, grab some herbal tea, and dive into the world of a wonderful book. If you are looking for mysteriously interesting books, here is a list of some fantastic options for spending your next rainy or snowy day reading:
1 The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
Although this book has long since become a best seller since its publication in 2003 and has gotten a movie variation, the novel is one of those stories that you do not mind curling up beneath a thick blanket and enjoying again and again. For those of you who love the mystery, suspense, and historical fiction tales, this is one for you.
In short, the symbologist Robert Langdon is called in to unravel a mystery starting at the Louvre Museum in Paris but winds up in the midst of a battle between two ancient orders, Da Vinci’s genius, and romance. And if you already read The Da Vinci Code, what’s stopping you from picking up the remainder of the series?
2 The Winning of Olwen by Regina Clarke
For those readers who yearn for a fantastic romance steeped in Arthurian legend, Winning Olwen delivers. Based off the tale of Culhwch and Olwen, this modernized tale takes place in today’s world but refers to legends that have been passed down through the ages.
From the Kindle page for the novel: “A man seeks solace at the loss of his love in the legend of an ancient ash tree… A woman who wants nothing more than a quiet and loving family life hears voices and is afraid she is going mad.”
How will their destines be intertwined? Will these two protagonists find a way to overcome the perils their namesakes had faced, or will they lose in the face of Fate? Since there are 3 stories in one, you will surely find yourself ensorcelled by the interwoven events, character depth, and eloquence of the passages.
3 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Another one of those books that kicks off an amazing series for any age group. Seriously, if you haven’t read the Harry Potter series yet, choosing the beginning of Harry Potter’s tale on a rainy day will be time well spent.
Almost everyone knows about the Boy Who Lived, but if you don’t, here is a brief rundown: Harry Potter discovers that he is a wizard after having a run-in with magic and is whisked off to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. There he meets Ron and Hermione, as well as the truth behind his birth. Secrets unfold throughout the story, leading him to his first face-off with the dreaded Lord Voldemort.
Maybe you have re-read Harry Potter one hundred times like I have. Remember that J.K. Rowling has The Cursed Child and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them out. If you are looking for a break from the Potter universe, try The Casual Vacancy.
4 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
Something of a play of George Orwell’s book 1984, this version takes place in a fictionalized Japan during the 1980s. Though this novel has been divided into two separate parts, if you can find the version with both pieces, you have yourself enough pages to get your through all-day drizzling.
1Q84 introduces us to the world of Aomame, our heroine, and Tengo, a male writer. These two have met in the past and are bound to meet again through unusual circumstances that bring them to another “dimension” so to speak.
In that dimension, the moon is red, “Little People” exist, and various mysteries about a strange entity known as Fuka-Eri surround both Tengo and Aomame. The question is not whether these things actually are happening, it’s whether or not our heroes make it out alive.
Personally, this is one of my favorite novels – and not just because Haruki Murakami is a spellbinding storyteller. I can re-read it over and over and always unearth something new.
5 Serena by Ron Rash
Published in 2008 by Harper Collins, this fiction novel has not gotten the attention it deserves. Set in the 1930s in the mountains of North Carolina, newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton find themselves building from the ground up.
George is no stranger to the woods, but Serena is; and so while those who had been under George’s command see her as slightly incompetent, Serena soon proves to be otherwise. When disaster strikes, she is forced to step up to the plate, gaining strength.
What was once a passionate marriage begins to go awry, and there is much to be discovered amidst the idyllic woods that the Pembertons should have left beneath the pine needles. Serena is a suspenseful tale that will keep you guessing right up to the very end. The story will also make you question just how far someone will go to protect the ones they love.
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6 Alice by Christina Henry
Reviews call this book “dark, disturbing, and mind-altering.” It is certainly not the children’s version of brought to us by Lewis Carroll. When this Alice falls down the rabbit hole, she finds herself in something far from any recent interpretation of Wonderland – and that’s why this book is so good.
Of course, the main characters are all there: the Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and even the Jabberwocky. However, they have been distorted to better fit this twisted version of Alice in Wonderland. Because this is the first book in a series, the story is set up to not truly end when the pages do.
Because of the nature of the book, I will put a warning out there for those who are easily disturbed or who have been victimized. Regardless of the level of violence, Alice is a story that you won’t want to put down, especially if you love anti-heroes and women wielding swords and sharp tongues.
7 The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa
Despite having read this book a while back, the message behind it continues to resound deep within me. Not only is the story beautifully written, but the characters are multi-dimensional and will pull at your heartstrings with their actions and thoughts.
Here is a brief summary of what awaits you in this story: There is a brilliant mathematician who loses his memories due to a traumatic injury, a young housekeeper trying to make a living for her son, and the day to day interactions between the three of them.
Although the professor forgets everything in the present, his abilities to see the equations, patterns, and functions of everything around him ends up aiding the housekeeper. Their lives begin to blend, and they soon become something like a family.
Beware, dear reader, you are going to need a box of tissues for this one. It is a beautiful tale, and it truly makes you think. You will fall in love with the characters. I know I did.
8 Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
When I first picked up Ender’s Game, I will admit that I was skeptical. I am something of a sci-fi buff, but I did not know if I would enjoy it. Boy, was I wrong. This is the first book in a long progression of stories, but this one is my favorite. Ender’s Game is about a dystopian Earth, a distant battle with aliens, and the children who are training to be the soldiers who will one day fight them.
Ender happens to be very gifted in tactics. He is given a series of “games” that not only reveal his strategical prowess but also facets of human cruelty and greed. What is amazing about Ender’s Game is the lenses in which we view some psychological theories. If you like reading that makes you think, pick up a book from the Enderverse.
9 The Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
he Song of Ice and Fire is the beginning to a series that has gained increasing popularity over the years. Book 1 is, of course, where the tales of some of the most talked about characters on television and the internet first make their appearance.
We learn about the start of the wars in Westeros, the ambitions of Daenerys Targaryen, Jon Snow heading to the North, Ned Stark’s position as the Hand of the King, and the desire for the throne that brings about misfortune for everyone involved.
The power play is incredible, and the way Martin blends stories from numerous families and events throughout the fictional map together is nothing short of masterful. A definite page turner.
10 Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Now that we are long past the late 1800s, we no longer have to wait for the next story of Sherlock Holmes to be printed in the newspaper. Rather, you can now read all the stories in book form. In fact, there are 4 full length novels and 56 short stories.
Because of this, Sherlock Holmes is the perfect mystery and suspense book for those of us who love collections and anthologies. Change a boring rainy or snowy day into an adventure of intrigue as you read about cryptic murders, baffling events, puzzles, and enjoy Holmes and Watson dialogue.
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Now that you have a complete list of some of the best books worth reading, you have a wonderful reason to look forward to the rainy and snowy days. Say goodbye to the mood swings and boredom. So, what are the books you are going to read first?
