There’s something about winter—the snow, the cold, the limited sunlight—that always nudges me toward fantasy. I read fantasy all year long, of course, but once the air turns sharp and the days grow short, I find myself craving worlds that are nothing like my own. The darker and colder it gets outside, the more I want to curl up with magic, myth, and epic quests.
And I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. What better season to dive into an immersive story than winter? When you’re wrapped in blankets, sipping something warm, maybe listening to a crackling fire—there’s just no better backdrop for a sweeping adventure or a soft, cozy fantasy tale.
With romantasy and cozy fantasy gaining so much momentum, more readers than ever are dipping their toes into magical worlds. And as forecasters predict a colder-than-usual winter across much of the country, and as many of us feel the weight of our real-world stresses, I imagine even more people will turn to the comfort and escapism of fantasy in the months ahead.
Earlier today, I wandered over to my bookshelves to see what called to me as I finish up my November reads and start planning my December TBR. What I pulled down ended up being a wonderful mix of traditional fantasy, romantasy, and cozy fantasy—and now I’m even more excited to begin.
Here’s what I’m hoping to dive into this winter:
📚 My Winter Fantasy TBR
✨ The Will of the Many by James Islington
✨ Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross (ever since I saw Rebecca Ross earlier this year, I knew I wanted to save her latest book for a cozy winter read)
✨ One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (this one has been on my TBR for a while now, so I hope to make it a priority)
✨ Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
✨ The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden (audiobook)
✨ Heart’s Blood by Juliet Marillier (if you’ve never read Juliet Marillier in the winter, you are missing out)
✨ Red Rising by Pierce Brown (I’ve heard the audio for this is excellent)
✨ The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater (I started this a while ago and felt that it would be better for winter)
✨ Hemlock & Silver by T. Kingfisher
Some other ones that very well might make it on the list include: The Assistant to the Villain, Bookshops & Bonedust, The Way of Kings, A Fellowship of Bakers, and Tress of the Emerald Sea. At this point, I just want to read books that will completely transport me to another world- ones that I can’t resist coming back to.
If you also find yourself reaching for fantasy when the weather turns cold, I’d love to know what’s on your winter TBR. What magical worlds are calling your name this season?
Let me know below—and happy winter reading. ❄️✨
The Book Nook 