5 books to cozy up with in January

I know it’s been January for a fair few days now, but the reality of the thing hit me square between the eyes once my husband and I gave our house its Christmas disrobing the other day. The Christmas tree has now been dumped unceremoniously in the garden, the spare bedroom is stacked with boxes sporting exclamative ‘FRAGILE! XMAS BAUBLES’ scrawls and the speed with which festivity has vacated the local area has been like an unwelcome splash of sewage water to the face.

To a degree, it is nice to get back to normality and to fill the fridge with foodstuffs other than cheese and chocolate, but the novelty doesn’t last long. Many of us might start off the year with the optimism that comes with a fresh start and a blank slate, but January doesn’t help itself by having the most dreadful weather and containing 31 more days than necessary. Add a national lockdown to the mix and that new year optimism starts to look a lot less shiny.

Luckily, the combination of biting winter winds and the need to stay safe at home makes the perfect backdrop for my favourite thing: reading! There’s nothing better than leaning into the cold weather and banishing the January blues by plucking a volume off your bookshelf, lighting some candles, and whisking yourself off somewhere far more interesting.

These are by no means the only books to read at this time of year, and I won’t make any claims that they’re the best. In fact, some readers might naturally lean towards stories set in sunnier climes when the weather outside their window is anything but. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those people. In fact, upon reflection, a good portion of my choices channel a moody winter vibe but they’re still five of my personal favourites and help to make me feel better when I’ve got a case of the sads. If nothing else, I hope they can do the same for others and serve as a little bit of inspo if you’re looking for some literary comfort right now.

---

A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens

Okay, don’t shoot me — a Christmas book in January? I know Christmas is over for another year but sometimes it’s nice to hold onto that festive feeling a little longer, especially when the mad rush of the actual day is over. What better way to do that than by diving back into one of the most glorious Christmas tales of all time? Get lost in the lyricism of Dickens’ writing and allow yourself some time to reflect back on the last couple of weeks. Plus, this book ends with so much hope and happiness, it sets the tone nicely for you to move forward into February and the upcoming year.

The Night Circus, Erin Morganstern

For me, this one’s a no-brainer. January is the most uninspiring month of the year, so why not fill it with the story of a fantastical moving circus and a scintillating magical competition? At a time when wonder is certainly lacking, the Night Circus will deliver a much-needed injection of whimsy and heightened imagination through its vivid tapestry of colorful illusions and the interactions of the characters. This is escapism at its very finest, with the plot unwinding in a thread-like manner, leading readers through a maze of circus attractions and glamorous Victorian dinner parties, each with the emotional charge of a firework. Like most that visit La Cirque des Rêves, you’ll be reluctant to leave the promise of its ethereal tents.

Throne of Glass, Sarah J Maas

When it gets dark and cold outside, you need something to make you feel a bit better about the world, right? That’s never been more true than this January, with its heart-sinking lockdown vibes; Throne of Glass is the perfect tonic to this. Marketed as a YA fantasy, it’s addictive and thrilling and completely immersive. I can guarantee this is just the thing for escaping the realities of your surroundings right now, boasting great characters, whiplash-quick dialogue, and some pretty juicy romance. And the best thing? It’s the first in a series of five, so you can keep reading all the way into Feb.

Quite, Claudia Winkleman

I never thought I’d be one to rave about anything written by Claudia Winkleman, but this book is an absolute joy. It is impossible to keep a straight face when reading her musings on everything from the power of a good boot to the ins and outs of squirrel etiquette (yes, you did read that correctly). It’s not all wisecracks, though — Winkleman also writes passionately about the poignant relevance of art today and the impact it had on her as a teen. Overall, it’s a very light-hearted read in a time of national heaviness. Would I recommend it? Quite.

Anna Karenina, Leo Tolstoy

It’s January. You’re skint, full of pigs in blankets and now there’s a national lockdown going on. But look on the bright side! There’s no better time to tick off one of the great literary tomes everyone is always going on about. Don’t worry, I’m not talking about War And Peace (come on, I have some humanity. No one needs that in January), but instead its slightly shorter sibling: Anna Karenina — the original scandal novel. A torrid love affair, a strained marriage, the judging eyes of the Russian elite glued to your every move — in my opinion, there’s no better medicine for these dark nights than the rollercoaster of emotions you’ll find between the pages of my favourite Tolstoy.

---

So, as we get further into this dreadful month, grab yourself a stack of books, a hot drink and a spot in your favourite reading nook. Why would you want to go outside when you can lose yourself in a story like one of these?