Good morning, good afternoon, good evening friends! How are you? I hope you are having a wonderful day. It’s time for me to bring my favorite GIF back on the blog today…
I hope you all had a wonderful day and great celebrations, tons of delicious food to eat and tons of new books as gifts that you can now cherish and add to your endless TBR pile, because, really, who EVER has enough books? Not me, if you’re asking. And if you are not celebrating Christmas, I’m not forgetting you, and a wonderful Sunday to everyone!
This season, and this day got me thinking about books. When am I not thinking about books, you ask? I don’t know. But that’s not the point here. The point is that, while here in the Northern Hemisphere I am freezing my everything off in my big coat, scarf that’s as big as a King- Size bed cover, tons of books are looking at me with their fluffy covers, making me crave for summer. It is just me, or are really summer-fluffy-contemporaries a whole thing, while in winter, we’re left here with no books about characters cuddling because they are cold, snow storms and big drama under the Christmas tree ?
I have read my share of contemporary books, and for some reason, I’m drawing a blank when it comes to mention books set in winter, and most especially books set around Christmas time. I can think of a couple, but if I can quote two or three books with snow and the cold winter feeling fully part of the story’s atmosphere, I could quote maybe 10 or even a THOUSAND set in the summer. Hot days spent out on the porch, road trips, summer jobs and re-thinking your life before the new school year comes around. Then I came to wonder… Why exactly is that ?
In a way, I get it. Summer is made for big adventures, especially in young adult books. This is the time where high schoolers are off school, giving more room for interesting plot twists, unpredictable days not spent stuck behind a classroom desk. This is the time for change, because when a new school year comes, who knows what might happen ? Especially if you’re about to set off to a whole new city, to college or I don’t even know what else could happen. Summer seems full of possibilities, plus, who doesn’t love this warm and sunny feeling radiating off these book covers ?! I know I do.
But isn’t Christmas, and the Winter season – especially before the new year comes- just as well ? Full of possibilities, I mean. Of new resolutions to be made, of a whole year to have passed by yet once again. Of snow for the coldest countries, snow storms and big warm jackets, warming yourself up in cosy little coffees while confessing your love, giving your position away because of your footprints in the snow while you’re chasing this not-so-secret crush of yours – or this crazy ennemy that’s about to ruin the world. The rain falling on a hot summer day turning into the snow falling on a very cold day. The Christmas feeling of family, presents, being reunited. Still place for drama, for change, for craziness. Just in big coats instead of summer dresses.
I’m guessing this is a call for help : do you have any suggestions of books set at Christmas, or around this time of the year?
Do you also feel like there are so many “summer” books, and not so many “winter” ones ? (If that even makes sense) I’d love to know your thoughts! ?
Do you too find yourself devouring books under warm blankets and wishing to never get out again when it’s winter, where you live ? ?
Completely unrelated, but: I’ll be a bit MIA on the blog (meaning I scheduled things, but I’m not here to answer / visit your blogs too much) until, well…next year. No no no, not 2018 don’t worry, I’ll be back just around this time next week, which will still be next year. CRAZY. I’m rambling, anyways, take care and I love you all! ????
I’ve definitely wondered about this. As you’ve mentioned, I can think of tonnes of summer and warm weather books, but only two winter books come to mind. I know I prefer summer books, because I’m much more a warm weather person, but it would be nice to read about snow sometimes.
On the Christmas subject, perhaps it is because of the large numbers of people who don’t celebrate Christmas? If they don’t bring up holidays, then it’s easier for all kinds of readers to relate to the story.
YES you are definitely right about this.I think it’s great in that way, that it’s not too much about Christmas, since it’s something not everyone celebrates, but I’m thinking about the winter season as well – and it’s hard to think about books where it snows and stuff, haha. Thank you so much Hilary! 🙂
There are definitely more summer/spring/fall books than winter. It’s strange, because the whole Northern Hemisphere experiences winter every year! Probably this should change!
I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way! Yes, if some countries don’t experience cold hard winters and lots of snows, it would be nice once in a while to have stories with snow, snow storms or stuff like that in it. I can think of a couple stories idea with that ahah 🙂
Merry Christmas, Marie! I hope you had a great time with your family! Usually, Christmas gives me anxious feelings. For two years, my Christmas were totally awful and I stopped anticipating this time of the year. However, for 2016, it was surprisingly okay. I spent it watching k-dramas and eating a lot, so I’m fine about it, hahah.
I also feel like there are not much books set in winter. Usually, these questions (such as your favorite winter read for the Holiday season) don’t make a lot of sense to me, because it’s super warm during this time of the year in Brazil.
I don’t have a lot of book recommendations for this time of the year, but the Wolves of Mercy Falls is set during winter time, along with Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares.
I’m a bit late now, but Merry Christmas to you too, Lais! I get the feeling, Christmas isn’t the same when you’re older, and I feel that I’m not anticipating this as much as I was before – I’m thinking about it only because it brings me some holidays haha. I’m glad you still had a good time 🙂
Oh I get it – and maybe that’s why there aren’t as many winter books, as there are for summer. Hot weather we all experience, but really snowy winters are particular to some places in the world only, so maybe it’s that ? 🙂
thank you so, so much! <3
I don’t celebrate Christmas, but I completely understand what you are saying. I find it challenging to locate seasonally appropriate books once snow starts to fall. The first two books which come to mind are Bridget Jones’s Diary and Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares (the latter with some Hanukkah thrown in there). My family also reads Harry Potter around this season. It’s a good book to cuddle under the covers with, and there are always Christmas scenes.
I hope you’re having good holidays then, if you have some 🙂 <3
And maybe it's that, since not everyone celebrates Christmas, I think this is a good thing to not put too much emphasis on this – but when I come to think about books set in winter, I can barely think of any. Oh you're so right, Harry Potter is a great book to cuddle under a blanket with! <3 Thank you so much! <3
Yup! My family celebrates Hanukkah. It’s not a big holiday for Jews, but it’s a great excuse to eat fried foods! Omnomnom.
Ohhh well Happy Hanukkah then!! 😀 And well…it’s always great to eat lots and lots haha :p
Merry Christmas!! I’m not a huge contemporary reader but I know that I see a lot of books set in the summer and very few in winter. There are a couple fantasies set in winter-heavy worlds (like Frostblood due out next year), but idk about any others. ? you make such good points about it! I always huddle under covers in winter and hibernate with good books until forced to brave the cold ?
Merry Christmas to you too, if you celebrate, and happy holidays 🙂 Ohhh I need to check out Frostblood then, thank you for this recommendation! Haha, I do the same, I just wish I could stay in bed all day when it’s so cold outside haha. Thank you!
You bring up a good point here – almost all the YA contemporaries I read are set during the summer, typically with a girl meeting her dream guy over break. We definitely need more books with a Christmas theme to them! Merry Christmas, Marie! x
Thank you Niraja! Merry Christmas to you too, and if you’re not celebrating, I hope you’re having happy holidays and / or a great day! 🙂 <3
What Light by Jay Asher.
Ohh I only heard about that book but never stopped to read its synopsis, I really should! Thank you 🙂
Merry Christmas! This is a great question! I definitely recommend What Light by Jay Asher (although I see someone else has already recommended it above). 🙂 Another Christmas book I’ve read is Angel Tree by Daphne Benedis-Grab. I read it a while ago, and I believe it was a little more middle-grade-y, but I loved it, so hopefully it’s alright! 🙂
-Amy
Merry Christmas to you too Amy, and happy holidays if you don’t celebrate! Ohh thank you, well I didn’t know about that book before, so I’m glad you and Deanna recommended it to me 😀 Thank you!! <3
Hahaha I do; I love the whole Christmas season. 🙂
Awesome, glad to help!
Merry Christmas, Marie! And great question! I’ll definitely be scouting the comments for recommendations, because I’m also drawing a blank when it comes to Christmassy books. I’m the same; I can list a ton of summery books, but winter? Nope.
Though you’re right, the things we usually love about summer contemporaries, can be true for winter contemporaries as well.
I guess for me, I just don’t look for them as much because I’m not a fan of winter. I am a fan of hibernating all winter long with a pile of good books and a lot of hot chocolate 🙂
Though I do read a ton of summer contemporaries in summer, I guess I mostly pick up fantasy books in winter. Makes it easier to dream about being in another place maybe? Also, I do think winter time is the perfect time for Harry Potter marathons. (but then again, any time is perfect for that 😉 )
OH I agree with you about reading fantasy books in winter, it’s the best to get away from the bad and cold weather for a while 🙂 and Harry Potter marathons…yes, anytime is a good time for that 🙂
I’m not a fan of the winter season either, I’m just waiting for summer to come around again haha.
Thank you so much!! <3
Merry Christmas Marie! I hope you had a brilliant day and continue to have a brilliant holiday until the New Year! 😀 <3
I never really thought about this before you mentioned it but now you have I'm struggling to think of many books that are set during winter, whereas I can pull at least ten off the top of my head that are set during summer. In fact the only one I can think of is the anthology I read recently; My True Love Gave to Me. The stories were short yes but it's proof a contemporary can be done, and be light and fluffy as well, set during winter!
Thank you so, so much, Beth, I’m a bit late but I hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well and are enjoying your holidays! 🙂 <3
Well that's good to hear, I might have to read that book then!! 🙂
Ahh I love that gif!! You’re right- I have the same problem finding books set in the winter- like you I can think of a million books set in the summer- but none set in the winter! Ah well! Guess I’ll have to read summer books in the winter 😉 Hope you had a great Christmas!
Thank you!! I couldn’t resist putting it again, I love it and Friends too much haha 🙂 Thank you, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well! 😀
You’re welcome!! haha I get that!! You’re welcome and thanks! 😀
Merry Christmas, Marie! It’s a bit late but I hope you had a great one with your loved ones. 🙂
The only Christmassy YA book I’ve read is Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares, which I sadly didn’t really like. I think Stephanie Perkins also has an anthology of wintery stories. I’ve also read some contemporary romance that are Christmas-themed, but you’re right, summer is much more popular a season! I wonder why?
Thank you, Reg! Merry (late) Christmas to you too, I hope you had a wonderful one 🙂 <3
I have no idea, really, maybe it's because summer is experienced by everyone, whereas in some countries, the winters aren't cold nor snowy?
I can only ever think of 2 Christmas-y books – Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares (and now the sequel to that too I suppose) by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan and Landline by Rainbow Rowell. But there’s also Let it Snow by John Green and 2 other authors. And I think there’s another anthology book – My True Love Gave to Me? I haven’t read those two though. Honestly surprised I could come up with that much.
Oh wow, well you came up with way more books than I did hahaha. I need to add a couple of these to my TBR, especially Dash and Lily’s Book of Dare, I hear about this book a lot haha. Thank you so much, Kat! 🙂
No problem! And I adore Dash and Lily. He’s all snarky and she’s super sweet, the whole book is adorable.
Ohh well…I love adorable. I’m going to have to read this soon 🙂
I agree with you. I’m sitting here trying to come up with titles and aside from the old classics like A Christmas Carol and some kid’s titles, I’m drawing a complete blank. I can think of a few more general snowy titles that I loved like Eowyn Ivey’s The Snow Child and an upcoming release set in Russia in the winter called The Bear and the Nightingale, but definitely nothing like the endless summery and fall titles that immediately come to mind.
Oh thank you for the suggestion! I didn’t know about this upcoming release, I need to check it out 🙂 Thank you 🙂
There do need to be more winter and Christmas themed books- absolutely. I want something that really evokes the sense of the season, the starkness (that’s not a word) of winter. So yeah- I agree. Other than the recent Christmas anthology edited by Stephanie Perkins, I’m drawing a blank at the moment on any good ones. I see that one’s been mentioned above, so I’m not much help there. You have me thinking now, though… 🙂
Thank you, Greg! I am glad you agree with me. I’m not a fan of winter, but I’d love to read more books set in that season, it’d be nice for a change 🙂
Yeah, that’s the thing about the northern hemisphere. All my Australian bookish buddies have been snickering at my freezing little behind all month. We’ll see who’s laughing come July!
As far as books set in winter, I’m going to go the Viking fantasy route and say the Shadowlight Saga by Mande Matthews. The whole world is in perpetual winter because of a curse from the gods. Also, warrior girls, sweet romance, singing magic, and Viking amazons. OH YES!
Oh thank you so much Elisabeth for your suggestions!! I need to check out these books 🙂
I hope you had a good Christmas Marie! This is SUCH a good point. The only book that comes to mind (besides Harry Potter) is Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares but I didn’t really like that one so if you haven’t read that yet I wouldn’t really recommend it haha (though of course you might enjoy it!) Seriously though, books that take place during Christmas… OH LET IT SNOW. That’s it. That’s all I got. I too need more Christmas books recs haha
Thank you Michelle, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas as well, and wishing you a great 2017!! <3
Haha, yes I was thinking about Let it snow, it's such a cute book 🙂
Thanks Marie, I did! 🙂 Hope you’ll have a great 2017 too!! It is! I didn’t like the third story that much, but the first two were adorable
Oh yes I agree, the first two were definitely my favorites <3
Bahahah that is quite true! A book completely written in a winter setting seems quite rare!! Your explanation of why that is quite relevant and I totally see why anything but Winter might be the main setting. I do see some stories go through the Winter period at some point throughout the story too though. Authors should definitely embrace Winter more with all the amazing themes that can be tackled in such a snow-filled time. Great topic and I hope you had a wonderful and warm Christmas/Holiday! 😀
– Lashaan
Oh thank you so, so much Lashaan, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas just as well <3 <3
Maybe also Christmas could cause stress and sadness for some people so maybe that’s why there aren’t alot of books set around Christmas.
I had read an Anita Blake book that set around Christmas a few months ago (not YA). Little Women is set at Christmastime.
You are right, I didn’t think about this when writing this post, but it is a stressful and sad period as well for some people. Thank you for the suggestions! 😀