One of the most beautiful things about December is the space it provides for curling up indoors and reading a delicious book, something that totally absorbs you. You might wind down after a busy weekday by falling asleep with a classic, or take refuge from an onslaught of bad weather in by reading in your favorite cafe. You might be like me, and love spending Sunday in bed sipping coffee and tearing through pages, cozy despite the cold grey skies outside.
When all’s said and done, it’s the perfect time of year to treat yourself to the luxury of a great read.
If you want to be transported…
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler
A fascinating take on what it would have been like to be the wife of Scott Fitzgerald in an era like this. For those who don’t know much about Zelda and her life, this is a wonderfully insightful read.
“A Year in the World” and “Bella Tuscany” by Frances Mayes
Every winter I remind everyone to read “Under the Tuscan Sun”, my all-time favorite winter escape book. These books by the same author will similarly whisk you away to bathe in the beauty of foreign landscapes.
“To Capture What We Cannot Keep” by Beatrice Colin
A whirlwind of romance, a portrait of the excitement surrounding the construction of the Eiffel Tower, and a selection of beautiful and tragic days in Paris… what’s not to love? This tale will take you back in time.
If you want to learn something new…
“Cork Dork” by Bianca Bosker
The author of this book decided to leave a secure, well-paying job for a foray into the world of sommeliers, wine-tasting competitions, and… so much more than she could have imagined. A fascinating read whether you know something about wine or you pick the cheapest bottle at the store.
“Running: A Global History” by Thor Gotaas
Jam-packed with information about the history of running across the world, this book is a must-read for anyone who runs or is curious about the running phenomenon in today’s culture. This book is pretty dense with facts, so it is not a quick read.
“Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked” by Adam Alter
Both informative, interesting and rather frightening, this book explains the science behind our societal addiction to technology. There’s a lot more going on behind the scenes than you might expect.
If you want literature…
“The Old Man and the Sea” and “To Have and Have Not” by Ernest Hemingway
Anything by Hemingway is amazing, but these are the two I’ve just finished. Both are true examples of his writing prowess. He writes in such a way that the reader is not burdened with excessive, flowery prose but still becomes enmeshed in the story within the first few pages they consume.
“La Boutique Obscure” by Georges Perec
Georges Perec kept a dream diary and published it, attempting to maintain the atmosphere of each dream despite the translation from subconscious thought to paper. A really unique and beautiful piece of work.
“Red Grass” by Boris Vian
I love Boris Vian for his wild, whimsical stories. They are poetic and sad, but also childish and giddy. You are in for a ride every time you pick up one of his novels, and “Red Grass” is no exception.
“The Sun and Her Flowers” by Rupi Kaur
Everyone’s probably already told you to read this, but I’ll remind you once more. And I don’t even like poetry all that much.
If you want to get ahead…
“Start Something That Matters” by Blake Mycoskie
The founder of TOMS has written what I believe is one of of the best books about running an ethical business. This is a quick read full of humor, inspiring stories and truly motivating advice.
“Permission to Screw Up” by Kristen Hadeed
This is how I want to run a business. Kristen Hadeed writes an insightful and courageous book for female entrepreneurs, and anyone in charge of other people.
Kenaia Neumann 
[…] Read a book. My winter recommendations are here. […]
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