There may be no better season to curl up with a good book than winter. It’s too cold outside to go for a run (it’s a valid excuse, ok!). All your friends are on fancy beach vacations they can’t really afford. It's gray and gross and even your cat is wearing a dark brown cardigan you’ve never seen before and wistfully staring out the window like a New England barmaid longing for her husband to return from see.
So, pour a water basin sized cup of coffee (maybe a little splash of bourbon?), grab your coziest blanket, mute your phone and curl up with one of these classic novels perfect for a winter read.
"Doctor Zhivago" by Boris Pasternak
Set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution and the subsequent Civil War, this novel captures the chilling harshness of the Russian winter which parallels the tumultuous social and political upheaval. The story, which centers around a physician and poet Yuri Zhivago, is a tale of love and tragedy during one of the most turbulent periods in Russian history.
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"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë
This English classic is known for its moody and atmospheric setting on the Yorkshire moors. The wild and windy landscape is almost a character in itself, reflecting the tumultuous story of love and revenge between Heathcliff and Catherine.
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"Ethan Frome" by Edith Wharton
Set in a fictional New England town, the novel's story unfolds in a harsh, perpetual winter environment that mirrors the stark and tragic tale of its main characters. It's a powerful exploration of the themes of passion, duty, and the constraints of society.
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"Anna Karenina" by Leo Tolstoy
While not entirely set in winter, many pivotal scenes in this Russian masterpiece take place against the backdrop of the severe Russian winter. The novel's exploration of love, infidelity, and the complexities of social politics in 19th century Russia is both profound and tragic.
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"The Call of the Wild" by Jack London
This novel takes you to the frigid Yukon during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush. It's a gripping tale of survival and transformation as told through the eyes of a domesticated dog named Buck, who is thrust into the savage life of the Alaskan wilderness.