With the long winter break ahead, students can struggle to find things to fill their time. During the weeks of no classes and hopefully snowy weather, students can curl up with a blanket and any of these books that I recommend for the winter break.
“Winter in Sokcho” – A short novel by Elisa Shua Dusapin, “Winter in Sokcho” offers a small but intriguing look into the life of a girl that works at a hotel. While she is working, she meets with a French comic writer as he visits Sokcho to gain inspiration for his newest work. This short but sweet novel has the perfect wintery atmosphere to accompany a snowy break. I personally really enjoyed this novel because of the interactions between the narrator and the various people that happen to stay at the hotel she works at, additionally the descriptions of the winter weather are amazing throughout the novel.
“I’m Thinking of Ending Things” – Another short novel, this horror story by Iain Reid captures the suffocating and unrelentless storms of winter. The novel follows a young woman as she begins to contemplate the possibility of ending her relationship with her boyfriend. The novel may leave you confused through the whole thing but it’s a great piece of horror that makes you never want to put down the book. I will warn you that this book can be really heavy, with topics of suicide and self-harm but my favorite part of the novel has to deal with the pigs.
“Frankenstein” – A classic sci-fi novel by Mary Shelley, “Frankenstein” offers a historic tale about finding greatness, creation and finding out who oneself is, framed from being told as a story on a ship stuck in an icy tundra of the northern passage. This novel has gotten an increase of interest with the new movie adaptation by Guillermo del Toro, so if you want to learn more about the original story then dive into the novel. Personally, I recommend the 1818 edition of the novel and its perfect to read through during a break.
“We Are Okay” – The young adult novel by Nina LaCour details the story of a girl that stays in her dorm during winter break. The story features Marin, as she holds herself in her suffocating dorm room to hide from confronting her grief and how she has begun to cut her best friend out of her life. Although this book can be difficult to get through emotionally, it is a great read and makes one want to value the time that they have with their loved ones and to focus on embracing others when you may lose a loved one.
“On a Sunbeam” – Tillie Walden’s long form graphic novel is perfect for students looking for a sci-fi, found family adventure that takes place in space! The artwork throughout this graphic novel is absolutely breath taking, it has left me staring mouth hanging open several times at the intricate drawings of space and the various planets that the main characters visit. This heartfelt story deals with a young girl trying to find her place and eventually finding it.
Whether you’re taking classes during winter break and need a short book to cut through the academics or you’re at home with a cup of hot cocoa, there is bound to be something for you out there. This is a short list and is by no means exhaustive but these are some of the best winter books to get you through the break.
