{"id":1601923,"date":"2025-11-24T12:41:09","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T17:41:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/observer.com\/?post_type=listicle&#038;p=1601923"},"modified":"2025-11-24T12:42:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T17:42:17","slug":"best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter","status":"publish","type":"listicle","link":"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Get Cozy With Our Picks for the Best Sweater Weather Reads"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>We\u2019re deep into fall and barreling toward winter, and for many of us, that means a lot more time spent at home reading. You can, of course, read anything you like whenever you like\u2014I am no believer in the so-called beach book; they\u2019re <em>all<\/em> beach books\u2014but there is a certain type of read that is particularly well-suited to gray and gloomy skies, cozy rooms and entire days of indoor introspection. To that end, here are a few of our favorites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__container\">\n\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"h2 wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__title\">\n\t\t\tThe best books to read in winter\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__list-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#the-wax-child-by-olga-ravn\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Wax Child by Olga Ravn\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#the-shipping-news-by-annie-proulx\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Shipping News by Annie Proulx\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#startlement-new-and-selected-poems-by-ada-limon\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tStartlement: New and Selected Poems by Ada Limon\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#a-wild-sheep-chase-by-haruki-murakami\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#collected-fictions-by-jorge-luis-borges\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCollected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#school-of-night-by-karl-ove-knausgaard\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSchool of Night by Karl Ove Knausgaard\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#the-essential-harlem-detective-by-chester-himes\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Essential Harlem Detective by Chester Himes\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#deep-river-by-karl-marlantes\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDeep River by Karl Marlantes\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle-toc__element\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\thref=\"#war-and-peace-by-leo-tolstoy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWar and Peace by Leo Tolstoy\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle wp-block-observer-listicle--align-left wp-block-observer-listicle--vertical-center has-image\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__text\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__title h3\" id=\"the-wax-child-by-olga-ravn\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><em>The Wax Child<\/em> by Olga Ravn<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy-button copy-to-clipboard\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-tooltip-text=\"Copied to clipboard!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/#the-wax-child-by-olga-ravn\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Copy link to '&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Wax Child&lt;\/em&gt; by Olga Ravn&lt;\/strong&gt;' to the clipboard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M12.763 7.4a.79.79 0 0 1 .175.87.807.807 0 0 1-.64.485l-.107.007a.809.809 0 0 1-.571-.233 3.266 3.266 0 0 0-4.423-.138l-.147.139-4.52 4.458-.122.13c-1.108 1.235-1.066 3.199.128 4.378 1.239 1.223 3.332 1.223 4.571 0l2.523-2.49a.815.815 0 0 1 .788-.223.803.803 0 0 1 .58.572.791.791 0 0 1-.226.779l-2.523 2.49c-.867.856-2.013 1.314-3.177 1.37l-.25.006c-1.25 0-2.499-.459-3.428-1.376-1.8-1.776-1.857-4.74-.17-6.592l.17-.177L5.906 7.4a4.897 4.897 0 0 1 6.856 0Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M18.606 1.376c1.804 1.78 1.857 4.753.159 6.604l-.168.171-4.504 4.45A4.867 4.867 0 0 1 10.665 14a4.866 4.866 0 0 1-3.428-1.4.79.79 0 0 1 0-1.127.816.816 0 0 1 1.142 0 3.267 3.267 0 0 0 4.422.137l.148-.138 4.514-4.457c1.239-1.221 1.239-3.289 0-4.511-1.192-1.177-3.178-1.22-4.43-.131l-.14.13-2.524 2.492a.814.814 0 0 1-.466.227l-.107.006-.106-.006a.807.807 0 0 1-.64-.486.79.79 0 0 1 .176-.87l2.532-2.499.16-.148c1.874-1.676 4.884-1.624 6.688.157Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy\">With her latest, Ravn draws inspiration from a series of 17th-century witch trials. Told from the vantage of an enchanted wax doll, it traces the shocking events through the author\u2019s characteristically eccentric mix of narrative, documents, and spells. What\u2019s more wintery than witchcraft?<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/Olga-Ravn-The-Wax-Child-best-cold-weather-books-.jpg?quality=80&#038;w=970\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Wax Child by Olga Ravn.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__credit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy New Directions\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle wp-block-observer-listicle--align-right wp-block-observer-listicle--vertical-center has-image\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__text\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__title h3\" id=\"the-shipping-news-by-annie-proulx\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><em>The Shipping News<\/em> by Annie Proulx<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy-button copy-to-clipboard\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-tooltip-text=\"Copied to clipboard!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/#the-shipping-news-by-annie-proulx\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Copy link to '&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Shipping News&lt;\/em&gt; by Annie Proulx&lt;\/strong&gt;' to the clipboard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M12.763 7.4a.79.79 0 0 1 .175.87.807.807 0 0 1-.64.485l-.107.007a.809.809 0 0 1-.571-.233 3.266 3.266 0 0 0-4.423-.138l-.147.139-4.52 4.458-.122.13c-1.108 1.235-1.066 3.199.128 4.378 1.239 1.223 3.332 1.223 4.571 0l2.523-2.49a.815.815 0 0 1 .788-.223.803.803 0 0 1 .58.572.791.791 0 0 1-.226.779l-2.523 2.49c-.867.856-2.013 1.314-3.177 1.37l-.25.006c-1.25 0-2.499-.459-3.428-1.376-1.8-1.776-1.857-4.74-.17-6.592l.17-.177L5.906 7.4a4.897 4.897 0 0 1 6.856 0Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M18.606 1.376c1.804 1.78 1.857 4.753.159 6.604l-.168.171-4.504 4.45A4.867 4.867 0 0 1 10.665 14a4.866 4.866 0 0 1-3.428-1.4.79.79 0 0 1 0-1.127.816.816 0 0 1 1.142 0 3.267 3.267 0 0 0 4.422.137l.148-.138 4.514-4.457c1.239-1.221 1.239-3.289 0-4.511-1.192-1.177-3.178-1.22-4.43-.131l-.14.13-2.524 2.492a.814.814 0 0 1-.466.227l-.107.006-.106-.006a.807.807 0 0 1-.64-.486.79.79 0 0 1 .176-.87l2.532-2.499.16-.148c1.874-1.676 4.884-1.624 6.688.157Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy\">His life in shambles, a man retreats to his remote ancestral village in Newfoundland, where he takes a job reporting on car accidents and ship arrivals for the local newspaper. A weird story about family and the inescapability of one\u2019s roots, the novel has a claustrophobic yet life-affirming tone that feels right for the colder months, especially when the plot tightens with the arrival of a winter storm.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/Annie-Proulx-the-SHipping-news-best-cold-weather-books-.jpg?quality=80&#038;w=970\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Shipping News by Annie Proulx.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__credit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Scribner\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle wp-block-observer-listicle--align-left wp-block-observer-listicle--vertical-center has-image\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__text\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__title h3\" id=\"startlement-new-and-selected-poems-by-ada-limon\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><em>Startlement: New and Selected Poems<\/em> by Ada Limon<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy-button copy-to-clipboard\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-tooltip-text=\"Copied to clipboard!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/#startlement-new-and-selected-poems-by-ada-limon\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Copy link to '&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Startlement: New and Selected Poems&lt;\/em&gt; by Ada Limon&lt;\/strong&gt;' to the clipboard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M12.763 7.4a.79.79 0 0 1 .175.87.807.807 0 0 1-.64.485l-.107.007a.809.809 0 0 1-.571-.233 3.266 3.266 0 0 0-4.423-.138l-.147.139-4.52 4.458-.122.13c-1.108 1.235-1.066 3.199.128 4.378 1.239 1.223 3.332 1.223 4.571 0l2.523-2.49a.815.815 0 0 1 .788-.223.803.803 0 0 1 .58.572.791.791 0 0 1-.226.779l-2.523 2.49c-.867.856-2.013 1.314-3.177 1.37l-.25.006c-1.25 0-2.499-.459-3.428-1.376-1.8-1.776-1.857-4.74-.17-6.592l.17-.177L5.906 7.4a4.897 4.897 0 0 1 6.856 0Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M18.606 1.376c1.804 1.78 1.857 4.753.159 6.604l-.168.171-4.504 4.45A4.867 4.867 0 0 1 10.665 14a4.866 4.866 0 0 1-3.428-1.4.79.79 0 0 1 0-1.127.816.816 0 0 1 1.142 0 3.267 3.267 0 0 0 4.422.137l.148-.138 4.514-4.457c1.239-1.221 1.239-3.289 0-4.511-1.192-1.177-3.178-1.22-4.43-.131l-.14.13-2.524 2.492a.814.814 0 0 1-.466.227l-.107.006-.106-.006a.807.807 0 0 1-.64-.486.79.79 0 0 1 .176-.87l2.532-2.499.16-.148c1.874-1.676 4.884-1.624 6.688.157Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy\">For poetry lovers, the two-time poet laureate\u2019s recently released collection <em>Startlement<\/em> is a must. This expansive career retrospective includes 102 of her finest poems, plus 21 previously unpublished, spanning everything from joy to grief, humor to heartbreak and offering her trademark warmth and insight throughout.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/Ada-limon-startlement-best-cold-weather-books-.jpg?quality=80&#038;w=667\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStartlement: New and Selected Poems by Ada Limon.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__credit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Milkweed Editions\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle wp-block-observer-listicle--align-right wp-block-observer-listicle--vertical-center has-image\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__text\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__title h3\" id=\"a-wild-sheep-chase-by-haruki-murakami\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><em>A Wild Sheep Chase<\/em> by Haruki Murakami<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy-button copy-to-clipboard\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-tooltip-text=\"Copied to clipboard!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/#a-wild-sheep-chase-by-haruki-murakami\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Copy link to '&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;A Wild Sheep Chase&lt;\/em&gt; by Haruki Murakami&lt;\/strong&gt;' to the clipboard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M12.763 7.4a.79.79 0 0 1 .175.87.807.807 0 0 1-.64.485l-.107.007a.809.809 0 0 1-.571-.233 3.266 3.266 0 0 0-4.423-.138l-.147.139-4.52 4.458-.122.13c-1.108 1.235-1.066 3.199.128 4.378 1.239 1.223 3.332 1.223 4.571 0l2.523-2.49a.815.815 0 0 1 .788-.223.803.803 0 0 1 .58.572.791.791 0 0 1-.226.779l-2.523 2.49c-.867.856-2.013 1.314-3.177 1.37l-.25.006c-1.25 0-2.499-.459-3.428-1.376-1.8-1.776-1.857-4.74-.17-6.592l.17-.177L5.906 7.4a4.897 4.897 0 0 1 6.856 0Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M18.606 1.376c1.804 1.78 1.857 4.753.159 6.604l-.168.171-4.504 4.45A4.867 4.867 0 0 1 10.665 14a4.866 4.866 0 0 1-3.428-1.4.79.79 0 0 1 0-1.127.816.816 0 0 1 1.142 0 3.267 3.267 0 0 0 4.422.137l.148-.138 4.514-4.457c1.239-1.221 1.239-3.289 0-4.511-1.192-1.177-3.178-1.22-4.43-.131l-.14.13-2.524 2.492a.814.814 0 0 1-.466.227l-.107.006-.106-.006a.807.807 0 0 1-.64-.486.79.79 0 0 1 .176-.87l2.532-2.499.16-.148c1.874-1.676 4.884-1.624 6.688.157Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy\">Sometimes when you\u2019re penned up inside, you need something funny, and few writers offer humor as rich as Murakami. He has many options to choose from, but <em>A Wild Sheep Chase<\/em> is arguably his funniest. Following a surreal search for a sheep with a star-shaped mark, it\u2019s as stirring and thought-provoking as it is genuinely funny.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/Murakami-Wild-sheep-best-cold-weather-books-.jpg?quality=80&#038;w=970\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__credit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Vintage Classics\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle wp-block-observer-listicle--align-left wp-block-observer-listicle--vertical-center has-image\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__text\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__title h3\" id=\"collected-fictions-by-jorge-luis-borges\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><em>Collected Fictions<\/em> by Jorge Luis Borges<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy-button copy-to-clipboard\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-tooltip-text=\"Copied to clipboard!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/#collected-fictions-by-jorge-luis-borges\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Copy link to '&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Collected Fictions&lt;\/em&gt; by Jorge Luis Borges&lt;\/strong&gt;' to the clipboard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M12.763 7.4a.79.79 0 0 1 .175.87.807.807 0 0 1-.64.485l-.107.007a.809.809 0 0 1-.571-.233 3.266 3.266 0 0 0-4.423-.138l-.147.139-4.52 4.458-.122.13c-1.108 1.235-1.066 3.199.128 4.378 1.239 1.223 3.332 1.223 4.571 0l2.523-2.49a.815.815 0 0 1 .788-.223.803.803 0 0 1 .58.572.791.791 0 0 1-.226.779l-2.523 2.49c-.867.856-2.013 1.314-3.177 1.37l-.25.006c-1.25 0-2.499-.459-3.428-1.376-1.8-1.776-1.857-4.74-.17-6.592l.17-.177L5.906 7.4a4.897 4.897 0 0 1 6.856 0Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M18.606 1.376c1.804 1.78 1.857 4.753.159 6.604l-.168.171-4.504 4.45A4.867 4.867 0 0 1 10.665 14a4.866 4.866 0 0 1-3.428-1.4.79.79 0 0 1 0-1.127.816.816 0 0 1 1.142 0 3.267 3.267 0 0 0 4.422.137l.148-.138 4.514-4.457c1.239-1.221 1.239-3.289 0-4.511-1.192-1.177-3.178-1.22-4.43-.131l-.14.13-2.524 2.492a.814.814 0 0 1-.466.227l-.107.006-.106-.006a.807.807 0 0 1-.64-.486.79.79 0 0 1 .176-.87l2.532-2.499.16-.148c1.874-1.676 4.884-1.624 6.688.157Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy\">Whether you\u2019ve read him before or are diving in for the first time, Borges\u2019 short stories are perfect literary labyrinths for a stint indoors. They\u2019re impossible to capture in a few words. Suffice it to say that his stories are enjoyable and puzzling, approachable and mysterious, and they have a way of lingering long after you finish them.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/Borges-collected-fictions-best-cold-weather-books-.jpg?quality=80&#038;w=666\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCollected Fictions by Jorge Luis Borges.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__credit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Penguin Books\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle wp-block-observer-listicle--align-right wp-block-observer-listicle--vertical-center has-image\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__text\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__title h3\" id=\"school-of-night-by-karl-ove-knausgaard\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><em>School of Night<\/em> by Karl Ove Knausgaard<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy-button copy-to-clipboard\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-tooltip-text=\"Copied to clipboard!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/#school-of-night-by-karl-ove-knausgaard\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Copy link to '&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;School of Night&lt;\/em&gt; by Karl Ove Knausgaard&lt;\/strong&gt;' to the clipboard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M12.763 7.4a.79.79 0 0 1 .175.87.807.807 0 0 1-.64.485l-.107.007a.809.809 0 0 1-.571-.233 3.266 3.266 0 0 0-4.423-.138l-.147.139-4.52 4.458-.122.13c-1.108 1.235-1.066 3.199.128 4.378 1.239 1.223 3.332 1.223 4.571 0l2.523-2.49a.815.815 0 0 1 .788-.223.803.803 0 0 1 .58.572.791.791 0 0 1-.226.779l-2.523 2.49c-.867.856-2.013 1.314-3.177 1.37l-.25.006c-1.25 0-2.499-.459-3.428-1.376-1.8-1.776-1.857-4.74-.17-6.592l.17-.177L5.906 7.4a4.897 4.897 0 0 1 6.856 0Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M18.606 1.376c1.804 1.78 1.857 4.753.159 6.604l-.168.171-4.504 4.45A4.867 4.867 0 0 1 10.665 14a4.866 4.866 0 0 1-3.428-1.4.79.79 0 0 1 0-1.127.816.816 0 0 1 1.142 0 3.267 3.267 0 0 0 4.422.137l.148-.138 4.514-4.457c1.239-1.221 1.239-3.289 0-4.511-1.192-1.177-3.178-1.22-4.43-.131l-.14.13-2.524 2.492a.814.814 0 0 1-.466.227l-.107.006-.106-.006a.807.807 0 0 1-.64-.486.79.79 0 0 1 .176-.87l2.532-2.499.16-.148c1.874-1.676 4.884-1.624 6.688.157Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy\">Over the past half-decade, the renowned Norwegian author has been pouring out his excellent and haunting <em>Morning Star<\/em> series, which follows a rotating and sometimes overlapping cast of characters who, while navigating their own troubles, are suddenly confronted by the unexplained appearance of a massive new star that seems to usher in supernatural events. <em>The School of Night<\/em> is the fourth installment. While reading the earlier volumes helps, you can fully enjoy its dark, Faustian tale on its own.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/knausgaard-school-of-night-best-cold-weather-books-.jpg?quality=80&#038;w=970\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSchool of Night by Karl Ove Knausgaard.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__credit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Penguin Press\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle wp-block-observer-listicle--align-left wp-block-observer-listicle--vertical-center has-image\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__text\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__title h3\" id=\"the-essential-harlem-detective-by-chester-himes\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><em>The Essential Harlem Detective<\/em> by Chester Himes<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy-button copy-to-clipboard\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-tooltip-text=\"Copied to clipboard!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/#the-essential-harlem-detective-by-chester-himes\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Copy link to '&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;The Essential Harlem Detective&lt;\/em&gt; by Chester Himes&lt;\/strong&gt;' to the clipboard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M12.763 7.4a.79.79 0 0 1 .175.87.807.807 0 0 1-.64.485l-.107.007a.809.809 0 0 1-.571-.233 3.266 3.266 0 0 0-4.423-.138l-.147.139-4.52 4.458-.122.13c-1.108 1.235-1.066 3.199.128 4.378 1.239 1.223 3.332 1.223 4.571 0l2.523-2.49a.815.815 0 0 1 .788-.223.803.803 0 0 1 .58.572.791.791 0 0 1-.226.779l-2.523 2.49c-.867.856-2.013 1.314-3.177 1.37l-.25.006c-1.25 0-2.499-.459-3.428-1.376-1.8-1.776-1.857-4.74-.17-6.592l.17-.177L5.906 7.4a4.897 4.897 0 0 1 6.856 0Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M18.606 1.376c1.804 1.78 1.857 4.753.159 6.604l-.168.171-4.504 4.45A4.867 4.867 0 0 1 10.665 14a4.866 4.866 0 0 1-3.428-1.4.79.79 0 0 1 0-1.127.816.816 0 0 1 1.142 0 3.267 3.267 0 0 0 4.422.137l.148-.138 4.514-4.457c1.239-1.221 1.239-3.289 0-4.511-1.192-1.177-3.178-1.22-4.43-.131l-.14.13-2.524 2.492a.814.814 0 0 1-.466.227l-.107.006-.106-.006a.807.807 0 0 1-.64-.486.79.79 0 0 1 .176-.87l2.532-2.499.16-.148c1.874-1.676 4.884-1.624 6.688.157Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy\">If you\u2019re looking for a bingeable series, Chester Himes\u2019 thrilling detective novels featuring the grim investigations of Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson are bona fide page turners. Set in the 1950s and &#8217;60s, these nine novels are known for their gritty realism and razor-sharp pacing. Short, fast reads, they\u2019re the kind of books you tear through and wish lasted longer.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/the-essential-harlem-detectives-by-chester-himes-best-cold-weather-books-.jpg?quality=80&#038;w=932\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Essential Harlem Detective by Chester Himes.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__credit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Everyman&#039;s Library\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle wp-block-observer-listicle--align-right wp-block-observer-listicle--vertical-center has-image\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__text\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__title h3\" id=\"deep-river-by-karl-marlantes\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><em>Deep River<\/em> by Karl Marlantes<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy-button copy-to-clipboard\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-tooltip-text=\"Copied to clipboard!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/#deep-river-by-karl-marlantes\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Copy link to '&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;Deep River&lt;\/em&gt; by Karl Marlantes&lt;\/strong&gt;' to the clipboard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M12.763 7.4a.79.79 0 0 1 .175.87.807.807 0 0 1-.64.485l-.107.007a.809.809 0 0 1-.571-.233 3.266 3.266 0 0 0-4.423-.138l-.147.139-4.52 4.458-.122.13c-1.108 1.235-1.066 3.199.128 4.378 1.239 1.223 3.332 1.223 4.571 0l2.523-2.49a.815.815 0 0 1 .788-.223.803.803 0 0 1 .58.572.791.791 0 0 1-.226.779l-2.523 2.49c-.867.856-2.013 1.314-3.177 1.37l-.25.006c-1.25 0-2.499-.459-3.428-1.376-1.8-1.776-1.857-4.74-.17-6.592l.17-.177L5.906 7.4a4.897 4.897 0 0 1 6.856 0Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M18.606 1.376c1.804 1.78 1.857 4.753.159 6.604l-.168.171-4.504 4.45A4.867 4.867 0 0 1 10.665 14a4.866 4.866 0 0 1-3.428-1.4.79.79 0 0 1 0-1.127.816.816 0 0 1 1.142 0 3.267 3.267 0 0 0 4.422.137l.148-.138 4.514-4.457c1.239-1.221 1.239-3.289 0-4.511-1.192-1.177-3.178-1.22-4.43-.131l-.14.13-2.524 2.492a.814.814 0 0 1-.466.227l-.107.006-.106-.006a.807.807 0 0 1-.64-.486.79.79 0 0 1 .176-.87l2.532-2.499.16-.148c1.874-1.676 4.884-1.624 6.688.157Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy\">Readers of historical fiction will appreciate this one. Set in the early 20th Century, it follows a Finnish family forced to flee political terror and settle in the Pacific Northwest, then tracks how subsequent generations carve out a place for themselves in a rapidly modernizing United States. Packed with historical context that still resonates, it has the kind of epic scale that begs to be read fireside.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/Deep-River-best-cold-weather-books-.jpg?quality=80&#038;w=970\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDeep River by Karl Marlantes.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__credit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Grove Press\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle wp-block-observer-listicle--align-left wp-block-observer-listicle--vertical-center has-image\">\n\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__text\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__title h3\" id=\"war-and-peace-by-leo-tolstoy\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<strong><em>War and Peace<\/em> by Leo Tolstoy<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy-button copy-to-clipboard\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-tooltip-text=\"Copied to clipboard!\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-clipboard-text=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/#war-and-peace-by-leo-tolstoy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Copy link to '&lt;strong&gt;&lt;em&gt;War and Peace&lt;\/em&gt; by Leo Tolstoy&lt;\/strong&gt;' to the clipboard\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<svg width=\"22\" height=\"22\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M12.763 7.4a.79.79 0 0 1 .175.87.807.807 0 0 1-.64.485l-.107.007a.809.809 0 0 1-.571-.233 3.266 3.266 0 0 0-4.423-.138l-.147.139-4.52 4.458-.122.13c-1.108 1.235-1.066 3.199.128 4.378 1.239 1.223 3.332 1.223 4.571 0l2.523-2.49a.815.815 0 0 1 .788-.223.803.803 0 0 1 .58.572.791.791 0 0 1-.226.779l-2.523 2.49c-.867.856-2.013 1.314-3.177 1.37l-.25.006c-1.25 0-2.499-.459-3.428-1.376-1.8-1.776-1.857-4.74-.17-6.592l.17-.177L5.906 7.4a4.897 4.897 0 0 1 6.856 0Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<path d=\"M18.606 1.376c1.804 1.78 1.857 4.753.159 6.604l-.168.171-4.504 4.45A4.867 4.867 0 0 1 10.665 14a4.866 4.866 0 0 1-3.428-1.4.79.79 0 0 1 0-1.127.816.816 0 0 1 1.142 0 3.267 3.267 0 0 0 4.422.137l.148-.138 4.514-4.457c1.239-1.221 1.239-3.289 0-4.511-1.192-1.177-3.178-1.22-4.43-.131l-.14.13-2.524 2.492a.814.814 0 0 1-.466.227l-.107.006-.106-.006a.807.807 0 0 1-.64-.486.79.79 0 0 1 .176-.87l2.532-2.499.16-.148c1.874-1.676 4.884-1.624 6.688.157Z\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__copy\">There\u2019s no better time than winter to tackle Russian tome builders like Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. Arguably the most epic of epic novels, <em>War and Peace<\/em> explores how individual lives become entangled in and help shape the events of their era, suggesting that history is not driven by \u201cgreat\u201d figures like Napoleon but by the small doings of everyday people. Don\u2019t be intimidated by its length\u2014once you settle in, the story carries you along and is ideal for whiling away hours indoors.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/11\/Tolstoy-War-and-peace-best-cold-weather-books-.jpg?quality=80&#038;w=663\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWar and Peace by Leo Tolstoy.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-observer-listicle__image__credit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCourtesy Vintage Classics\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>These are the titles to reach for when winter\u2019s bite makes staying in with a good book the only logical choice.<\/p>\n <a class=\"moretag\" href=\"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/\">Read More<\/a>","protected":false},"author":177935309,"featured_media":1601937,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_cover_media_provider":"image","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_cover_video_id":0,"apple_news_cover_video_url":"","apple_news_cover_embedwebvideo_url":"","apple_news_is_hidden":"","apple_news_is_paid":"","apple_news_is_preview":"","apple_news_is_sponsored":"","apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_metadata":"\"\"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_slug":"","apple_news_sections":[],"apple_news_suppress_video_url":false,"apple_news_use_image_component":false,"footnotes":""},"post_tag":[423808455,423816284,423806772],"company":[],"channel":[423806452,423868969],"location":[],"nyo_column":[],"person":[423902075,423907441,423911562,423913641,423920446,423921919,423924396,423889765],"coauthor":[423978474],"class_list":{"0":"post-1601923","1":"listicle","2":"type-listicle","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"tag-fiction","7":"tag-novels","8":"tag-winter","9":"channel-books","10":"channel-culture","11":"nyo_person-annie-proulx","12":"nyo_person-chester-himes","13":"nyo_person-fyodor-dostoevsky","14":"nyo_person-haruki-murakami","15":"nyo_person-jorge-luis-borges","16":"nyo_person-karl-ove-knausgaard","17":"nyo_person-leo-tolstoy","18":"nyo_person-napoleon-bonaparte"},"acf":{"homepage_position":"","homepage_title":"","homepage_excerpt":"","alternate_list_left_right":true},"apple_news_notices":[],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/observer.com\/list\/best-sweater-weather-reads-best-books-for-winter\/","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":[],"rendered":"","tracker_url":"https:\/\/cdn.parsely.com\/keys\/observer.com\/p.js"},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/listicle\/1601923","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/listicle"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/listicle"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/177935309"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/listicle\/1601923\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1601975,"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/listicle\/1601923\/revisions\/1601975"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1601937"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1601923"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_tag?post=1601923"},{"taxonomy":"observer_company","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/company?post=1601923"},{"taxonomy":"channel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/channel?post=1601923"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=1601923"},{"taxonomy":"nyo_column","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/nyo_column?post=1601923"},{"taxonomy":"nyo_person","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/person?post=1601923"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/observer.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthor?post=1601923"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}