13 Must-Read Books to Add to Your Shelf This Winter

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Winter here in Boston means chilly temperatures, slippery roads, and lots of time bundled up inside. My winter essentials (post bed time for my daughter) include a warm blanket by the fireplace, a steaming mug of tea in my hand, and a good book. When I want to get away from binging yet another show, having something to read is always an excellent idea… and within a few pages, I’ve forgotten about the TV altogether!

Keep scrolling for 13 books to add to your reading list this winter. There’s something for everyone here, whether you go for fiction, non-fiction, short stories, or memoir. If you grab a few of these titles to enjoy, you’ll be busy until spring.

A List of Books I’m Excited to Read This Winter!

P.S. You can keep scrolling for our 2021 and our 2020 Winter reading list!

1. Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover: Colleen Hoover has gained lots of attention over the last few years for novels like Verity, It Ends With Us, and All Your Perfects. Her latest book is already getting as much buzz as its predecessors, so whether you’re already a fan of this bestselling author’s work or are brand new to it, you should consider grabbing yourself a copy. It tells the story of Kenna Rowan, who is anxious to reunite with her daughter after spending five years in prison. But what happens when everyone in town is doing everything they can to keep them apart? Well, almost everyone. Reminders of Him explores themes of motherhood, family, grief, and redemption… and you’re bound to get totally wrapped up in its pages.

2. Fiona and Jane by Jean Chen Ho: Vogue, USA Today, Time, Oprah Daily, The Washington Post, Fortune, Glamour, Marie Claire, and so many others named Fiona and Jane among their most anticipated books of this year. With that kind of love for a book, how could you not be excited to read it? Fiona and Jane are lifelong best friends, and this thoughtfully rendered portrait of their relationship takes us into both of their minds, offering individual accounts of loves, moves, the minority experience, and so much more.

3. Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon: Last year, I recommended that you read The Ex-Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon… and now I’m here to let you know that Weather Girl should make its way to the top of your winter reading list! It stars a TV meteorologist and a sports reporter who team up to reunite their bosses, who were once married. The twist? They begin to develop feelings for each other! Rachel Lynn Solomon’s writing is full of lovable characters and heartfelt scenes, and you’re going to fall head over heels for her latest book.

4. You Got Anything Stronger? by Gabrielle Union: I love a celebrity memoir, and Gabrielle Union has already proven herself a talented writer with a knack for telling relatable stories. She’s back with her second book, a collection of tales about relationships, motherhood, navigating change, race, working in the entertainment industry, and more. Grab yourself a copy if you want to feel like you’re sharing a glass of wine IRL with this incredible woman.

5. Let’s Get Physical: How Women Discovered Exercise and Reshaped the World by Danielle Friedman: I obviously talk a lot about health in this space, and for many people, exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. This new non-fiction book by journalist Danielle Friedman takes a close look at the history of exercise, especially the way it pertains to women. How have various exercise trends and movements changed the game for us? Let’s Get Physical will break it down for you.

6. Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr: Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See won the Pultizer Prize a few years ago and became the favorite of many readers. The author is back again, this time with a novel set across time and space that examines how humans are connected and how we can dare to dream in any circumstances.

7. The Maid by Nita Prose: Any time a book is chosen for one of the big TV or celebrity book clubs, we all pay attention. This is no exception! Nita Prose’s The Maid was recently selected for the Good Morning America book club, which means you’re going to keep hearing about it throughout the winter and beyond. The Maid has also received its share of praise from tons of magazines and newspapers — so really, what are you waiting for?

8. True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us by Danielle J. Lindermann PhD: Calling all reality TV buffs! This new study of reality television is written by a brilliant sociologist who can speak with authority about what these shows teach us and how they change our society. It touches on everything from The Bachelor to COPS and is sure to have you thinking differently next time you sit in front of the screen. Coming out 2/15!

9. Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang: As you can probably guess from the title, Joan is the main character of this book! The child of Chinese immigrants, Joan is a doctor in New York City who spends most of her time working. After the death of Joan’s father, her mother seeks a reconnection with her daughter amid a global health crisis. Joan Is Okay feels both entirely original and completely relatable to your average reader in 2022. Once you get to know Joan, you won’t be able to stop thinking about her.

10. This Will Be Funny Later: A Memoir by Jenny Pentland: Jenny Pentland’s name might not ring a bell, but her mother’s likely will. Jenny’s mom is Roseanne Barr, and in This Will Be Funny Later, she shares stories of her childhood in the sitcom spotlight. Once the child of a working class family in Denver, Jenny found herself in a completely different world when Barr’s career took off, and as you can imagine, it wasn’t always pretty. This memoir will make you laugh, cry, and reflect differently on your own experiences.

11. Emotional Inheritance: A Therapist, Her Patients, and the Legacy of Trauma by Galit Atlas: If you’re ready to dig deep with your winter reading, Emotional Inheritance could be the perfect choice for you. Author Galit Atlas is an award-winning psychoanalyst who brings her knowledge of emotions and trauma to this book, which reflects on how we’re connected by our struggles and how those struggles shape our futures.

12. How We Eat: The Brave New World of Food and Drink by Paco Underhill: I can’t possibly put together a list of recommended reading without including at least one title that focuses on food. How We Eat is even better because it digs into how our food is grown and purchased, details that I believe can help all of us make more confident choices as we feed our families. Author Paco Underhill shares his thoughts on the future of food, urban farming, farmer’s markets, the supermarket industry, and so much more.

13. Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown: We all need a little extra connection these days, and we can count on our girl Brené Brown to help us get it. In her new book, Brené offers an in-depth examination of more than eighty different human emotions and suggestions to help readers connect more deeply with themselves and the people around them. Everything this bestselling author touches turns to gold (and for good reason!) and this special title is no different.