22 Best Winter Books for Adults Who Love Cozy Books

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Winter is simply perfect for curling up with a good book. 

The cold weather, the cozy blankets, and the quiet evenings make it the ideal time to read something meaningful and thoughtful. 

But have you ever wondered how you pick the books you want to read during this season? For me, winter calls for deep, rich stories that really make you think and feel.

As I mentioned, I love books that go beyond the surface; that is, the ones that explore complex characters, emotions, and ideas. 

That’s why I believe the ideal winter book for adults should be deep and absorbing, something that matches the calm and introspective mood winter brings. 

In this article, I’ll share some of the best winter books for adults that fit just that vibe.

These are the books to get lost in while the world outside is covered in snow.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey

If you’re looking for magical and emotional winter books for adults, The Snow Child is a perfect choice. 

I adored how this story blends harsh winter life in 1920s Alaska with a touch of fairy tale wonder. 

Jack and Mabel are grieving, lonely, and struggling to survive the cold, but one snowy night, they build a child out of snow and soon after, a mysterious girl appears. 

The writing is gentle but powerful, and the snowy setting truly wraps around you like a soft blanket. 

It’s one of those heartwarming yet bittersweet stories that stays with you. 

If you enjoy quiet, beautifully written winter fiction, this book will melt your heart.

Breathless by Amy McCulloch

Breathless is a winter thriller that kept me on edge the entire time.

Set on a freezing Himalayan mountain, it’s one of those winter mystery books for adults that combines danger, isolation, and suspense perfectly. 

Cecily, a journalist, climbs Manaslu to interview a famous mountaineer, but soon realizes someone in their group is a killer. 

I found myself holding my breath – literally. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. It mixes survival with murder mystery so well. 

I loved that Cecily wasn’t perfect; her fears made her feel real. 

If you want a fast-paced winter novel filled with snowy danger, this one’s for you. 

I kept thinking how terrifying it would be to face not just the freezing cold, but a murderer too. 

This book is great for readers who love snowy survival stories with crime and chilling suspense.

In the Midst of Winter by Isabel Allende

This lovely novel is for anyone looking for a winter book that warms the heart.

In the Midst of Winter brings together three strangers during a snowstorm in Brooklyn – each carrying pain and secrets. 

I loved how the story moves between present-day New York and past lives in Guatemala, Chile, and Brazil. 

It’s not just a winter love story for adults, but also a journey of healing, understanding, and late-in-life connection. 

And, I really liked how Allende showed that it’s never too late to find love, even in life’s winter season. 

The snowstorm is just the beginning of something much bigger. 

If you enjoy character-driven winter books with a little mystery, heart, and hope, this one is worth curling up with on a snowy afternoon.

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

If you like eerie and haunting winter mystery books for adults, The Winter People is the one I always recommend. 

Set in a small Vermont town, it flips between the early 1900s and now, and we get to see a chilling story about loss, love, and things that don’t stay buried. 

I was completely pulled in by Ruthie’s search for her missing mother and the old diary she finds. 

The snowy setting made it even creepier and more beautiful at the same time. 

The mix of old legends, ghostly tales, and hidden secrets made this a perfect spooky winter read. 

If you’re craving a gripping winter suspense novel that will keep you up at night, this is one I think you’ll really enjoy.

More Than a Body by Lindsay & Lexie Kite

Though not a typical winter book, More Than a Body is one of the best self-care reads to cozy up with during the colder months. 

Winter can be tough on our body image, and this book helped me shift how I see myself. 

The twin authors gently explain that our worth isn’t in how we look but in who we are. 

I really appreciated how kind and understanding their tone was – no judgment, just real help. 

Their advice goes way beyond body positivity. It’s about reconnecting with yourself and letting go of shame. 

If you’re looking for empowering winter self-help books for women, this one truly stands out. 

Reading it made me feel stronger, braver, and more hopeful. 

It’s the kind of book you’ll want to reread, especially during quiet winter mornings when you’re feeling low.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

The Great Alone is one of those unforgettable winter books for adults that leaves you both broken and hopeful.

Set in Alaska’s wild, snowy wilderness, it follows Leni, a young girl growing up in a troubled family. 

I felt so much for her – trying to find peace, love, and herself while dealing with her parents’ ups and downs. 

The way Kristin Hannah describes Alaska is breathtaking. It feels icy, beautiful, and dangerous all at once. 

I cried, I cheered, and I couldn’t put it down. This is a story about surviving the cold – outside and inside. 

If you want a winter novel that’s emotional, beautifully written, and full of strength, this is the one to read. 

I still think about the characters. It’s perfect for those who love family dramas, strong women, and winter survival stories that stick with you.

The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith

The Cuckoo’s Calling is such a cozy winter mystery book for adults, especially if you love a good detective story with a cup of tea. 

I really liked Cormoran Strike – he’s grumpy, clever, and has a big heart under all that toughness. 

When he’s hired to investigate the death of a famous model, everything feels snowy, gloomy, and perfect for a winter read. 

I enjoyed the slow-burn mystery, the rich London setting, and the twisty secrets. 

It’s not a fast thriller, but more of a thoughtful, layered whodunit. And the friendship between Strike and Robin? I loved it. 

This is the kind of book that makes you want to solve the case right alongside the characters. 

If you’re into winter crime fiction with strong characters and smart storytelling, this one will definitely warm up your reading list.

Where Eagles Dare by Alistair MacLean

For fans of classic winter war stories, Where Eagles Dare is full of snowy action and suspense.

I felt like I was watching an old spy movie, with secret missions, parachutes, and brave soldiers facing freezing dangers.

A team is sent to rescue a general from a Nazi-held mountain castle in the middle of winter – it doesn’t get more intense than that.

I enjoyed how smart and bold the characters were. The snowy mountain scenes made me feel like I was right there with them, slipping through ice and dodging bullets. 

This book is perfect for readers who want thrilling winter adventure books with strong plots and constant twists. 

It’s fast, exciting, and totally gripping. If you enjoy winter books set during World War II with a strong sense of danger, this is a classic worth reading.

The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley

If you love chilling winter mystery novels set in remote places, The Hunting Party is such a fun, twisty ride. 

A group of old college friends gather in a snowy Scottish lodge for New Year’s but one ends up dead. Right away, I got that snowy, locked-room mystery vibe I love in winter thrillers. 

Everyone has secrets, and the snowstorm makes it impossible to leave. It’s like a cozy, dark puzzle you just have to solve. I kept changing my mind about who did it.

The cold, quiet landscape adds so much tension. And I liked how Lucy Foley makes each character feel real – even if some were very unlikeable.

If you’re into suspenseful winter books for adults with lots of drama and a bit of glam, this one will keep you guessing all night long.

Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

This book is unlike anything I’ve read and it’s perfect for readers looking for meaningful and thought-provoking winter dystopian books for adults. 

Moon of the Crusted Snow is set in a small Indigenous community that loses power and contact with the world just before winter fully sets in. 

As food and trust run low, a new visitor brings unsettling change. I loved how quiet yet powerful this story is. 

It made me think a lot about resilience, community, and holding on to traditions when everything else is falling apart. 

Evan, the main character, quietly grows into a leader, and his journey was inspiring to watch. 

This is one of those winter books that stays with you. If you like slow-burning, reflective stories set in snow-covered lands, this one is both beautiful and haunting.

There you have it – some of the best deep and thought-provoking books perfect for cozy winter days. 

If you’re looking for more book recommendations or ways to create the perfect reading nook this season, be sure to check out my related posts where I share even more ideas and favorites.