Get ready to snuggle up with a warm drink and some amazing winter reading recommendations in this episode of The Fangover Podcast. As the snow falls outside, we’re catching up on our recent reads and sharing the perfect books to keep you cozy all season long. From magical fantasies to heartwarming romances, we’ve got your winter reading list covered. So, grab your favorite blanket and join us by the virtual fireplace as we dive into the world of wintery books. Let’s get started!
This post contains affiliate links. That means we receive a small commission at no cost to you from any purchases you make through these links.
Listen to the podcast episode
Check out the podcast episode where we catch up on what we’ve been reading and our Winter reading recommendations mentioned in this post.
Magic, Fantasy and Paranormal for Winter Reading
When the winter winds howl outside, escape into fantastical realms with epic fantasies, magical realism, paranormal creatures, and urban fantasy. These genres offer the perfect refuge from the cold, whisking you away to worlds filled with enchantment, adventure, and otherworldly romance. Whether you’re wrapped in a cozy blanket or sipping hot cocoa by the fire, these books will transport you to captivating universes that make winter reading an absolute delight.
Epic Fantasies
CLASSIC AUTHOR
MUST READ AUTHOR
EPIC ROMANCE
If you’re seeking grand adventures to whisk you away on chilly winter nights, look no further than epic fantasies. Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan introduces you to Xylara, a healer who finds herself bound to a fierce warrior, Keir. Their journey through a captivating fantasy world will keep you spellbound. Grace Draven’s Radiance shines with a tale of an arranged marriage between two different races, unfolding into a beautiful love story. In Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s Dart, you’ll be entranced by Phèdre nó Delaunay, a courtesan with a unique ability, as she navigates politics, intrigue, and romance in a lush, immersive world. These epic fantasies are perfect winter reading for those long, cozy evenings.
What fantasy is it?
If you’ve ever wondered what makes a book high fantasy vs low fantasy? What do we mean by urban fantasy or epic fantasy? We got you, simply watch below.
Magical Realism
SWEET SERIES
MUST READ AUTHOR
WARM & COZY
Experience the magic hidden within the ordinary in these enchanting reads. Lisa Kleypas’s Friday Harbor series brings contemporary settings to life with a touch of the extraordinary, making them ideal companions for cozy winter nights. That first book is available on Kindle Unlimited too. And you can even watch the first one on TV! It’s been made into a movie called Christmas with Holly. Sarah Addison Allen’s captivating novels, including Sugar Queen, Garden Spells, First Frost, or a cute witchy, warm, cozy story like The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna, infuse everyday life with whimsical enchantment, promising delightful escapes into magical worlds that are just perfect for winter reading.
More magical realism?
Friday Harbor series by Lisa Kleypas
Check out our series guide for one of our favorite series by a favorite author!
Paranormal Creatures
LAUGH OUT LOUD
CLASSIC PNR
VIRAL SENSATION
Get ready to be entranced by supernatural beings in wintry settings. The A Kinda Fairytale series by Cassandra Gannon earns a spot on our list not only for its intriguing paranormal elements but also because it’s incredibly funny. Laughter is the perfect way to warm up those frozen nights. For those who crave something a bit different, dive into the Dark Carpathians series by Christine Feehan, featuring Carpathian vampires, known for their connection to the winter and snow-covered landscapes. Feehan’s rich storytelling and passionate romances set against a backdrop of cold, snowy landscapes make it a perfect choice for winter reading. And don’t forget the captivating Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon, where you’ll encounter otherworldly heroes and heartwarming love stories in a frozen alien world. These paranormal creatures will keep you cozy and entertained during those long winter nights.
Urban Fantasy
ADDICTIVE DANGER
FAVORITE AUTHOR
MODERN CLASSIC
Explore the gritty, captivating landscapes of urban fantasy with these gripping series. In The Others by Anne Bishop, supernatural entities reign supreme in a world where danger lurks around every corner. Kim Harrison’s The Hollows series introduces you to Rachel Morgan, a witch and private investigator navigating a city teeming with paranormal entities. Deborah Harkness’s Discovery of Witches combines history, science, and magic in a thrilling blend that will keep you on the edge of your seat. These urban fantasies are your perfect winter reading companions, filled with intrigue and mystique.
Pin this for later
A Bit of Murder for Winter Reading
As snow blankets the landscape, dive into mysteries infused with a touch of the paranormal and historical charm. Cozy up with stories of ghostly romances, Victorian detectives, and suspenseful murder mysteries that add an extra layer of intrigue to your winter evenings. These books are your ticket to thrilling whodunits that will keep you guessing until the last page, making them the perfect companions for chilly winter nights.
Cozy Paranormal Murder
FAVORITE AUTHOR
BINGE WORTHY
MUST READ
If you fancy murder mysteries with a supernatural twist, look no further. Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe’s Romancing the Gravestone introduces Bryn, a ghost with a penchant for romance novels, and her charming investigator partner. Tilly Wallace’s Manners and Monsters series combines historical fiction with cozy mysteries in a paranormal-infused Victorian setting. CJ Archer’s Glass & Steele series transports you to Victorian London, where magic and murder entwine in a captivating blend. These cozy paranormal murder mysteries are perfect for snug winter evenings by the fireplace.
Cozy Historical Murder
TOP RECOMMENDATION
FAVORITE AUTHOR
STRONG HEROINE
Step back in time with historical murder mysteries that will keep you guessing. Lynn Messina’s Beatrice Hyde-Clare Mysteries stars a Victorian debutante with a talent for solving crimes. Jennifer Ashley’s Below Stairs Mysteries follow Kat Holloway, a cook embroiled in mysteries in a wealthy Victorian household. CJ Archer’s Cleopatra Fox Mysteries add a touch of steampunk to historical murder investigations, led by a strong-willed female detective. These cozy historical murder mysteries are tailor-made for winter nights spent solving whodunits.
Suspenseful Murder
WINTER SETTING
FAVORITE AUTHOR
SNOWBOUND
For those who prefer their murder mysteries laced with suspense, these books promise gripping tales that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Lucy Foley’s The Hunting Party transports you to a remote Scottish lodge where a New Year’s Eve celebration takes a deadly turn. Nalini Singh’s Quiet in Her Bones unravels a chilling story of secrets and murder in the picturesque New Zealand countryside. Ruth Ware’s One by One traps coworkers in a snowed-in chalet with a potential killer among them. These suspenseful murder mysteries are guaranteed to make your winter reading evenings thrilling and suspense-filled.
What We’ve Been Reading
SWEET ROMANCE
FAMILY & STRONG LEAD
ROMANTASY
Discover the books we’ve recently devoured! Vi Keeland’s What Happens at the Lake promises a sizzling romance with neighbors to lovers set at a lake, perfect for escaping the winter chill. Priscilla Oliveras’s heartwarming Kiss Me, Catalina invites you into a world of love and family. Carissa Broadbend’s The Serpent and the Wings of Night weaves a tale of adventure and magic that will capture your imagination.
What’s on our To-Be-Read List
SCI FI & MYSTERY
FAVORITE AUTHOR
COZY FANTASY
Peek into our winter reading plans as we reveal the books waiting on our To-Be-Read lists. Martha Wells’s Murderbot Diaries promise a thrilling blend of sci-fi and mystery that’s sure to intrigue. Nalini Singh’s chilling thriller, There Should Have Been Eight, takes us to a remote estate in New Zealand’s Southern Alps where a reunion turns into a suspenseful journey of secrets and confessions. And Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree brings high fantasy and low stakes to our reading list with a tale of a retired orc barbarian opening the first coffee shop in Thune, offering a hot cup of fantasy, slice-of-life, and a dollop of romantic froth.
Winter Releases We’re Looking Forward To
FAVORITE SERIES
FAVORITE AUTHOR
FAVORITE COUPLE
Lastly, get a sneak peek at the upcoming winter releases that have us buzzing with anticipation. Larissa Ione’s Legacy of Temptation, Kendra Elliot’s At the River, and J.D. Robb’s Random in Death promise enthralling stories that will make your winter reading list complete.
for more Winter reading recommendations
Join the Under the Covers Community
You’ll have access to our Winter reading guide with more of our all-time favorite books to read this season.
Join the Under the Covers Community
- Book Release Calendar
- Book Tropes Book Database
- Reading Under the Covers: Extra Bite – Exclusive Bonus Podcast Feed
- Additional recommendation lists
- Reading wrap-ups and our Bookish Brunch weekly behind the scenes newsletter
- Free downloads (activities, templates and more)
- And much more!
