Monday Discussion: Blizzard Reading

Here in Chicago, it is cloudy and appropriately cold, but my friends and family back in my homeland of the Boston-Philly corridor are hunkering down for a big blizzard.

So I thought now was a good time to talk about what you like to read when you are snow or cold bound. Do you like to read warm books on cold nights? Or do you prefer the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em mentality," and instead read books set in even colder places? Or are you someone who just wants to curl up with a tried and true, favorite author and enjoy long periods of uninterrupted reading by the fireside? Maybe you have another preferred type of winter read.

It's time to share so we can help our patrons find that perfect book for a cold, snowy day.

I'll go first.

I have to say, I am more of the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" crowd.  Here at the BPL, I think our patrons, many life long Chicago residents, fit in with that mentality too.  John currently is featuring "Frozen Solid" reads on one of our main displays, and the snowy set stories are moving fast.

I am particularly interested in Nordic Noir stories when it is cold here because it is always colder and darker there.

In his Harry Hole series, Jo Nesbo does an excellent job of describing the cold.  In particular, The Leopard has a fantastically descriptive avalanche scene.

I also have a small obsession with Iceland.  I have never been, but I really find it such an interesting country for so many reasons.  When it gets cold I like to read books set there, like Burial Rites, which I read in 2013.

Finally, my favorite snowy read is The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey. I hand this book out a lot in the winter.

But maybe you like hot reads for cold days. Or you have completely different suggestions.  Feel free to contribute and share so we get a wide range of opinions and ideas for all types of patrons.

Please stay safe, all my east coast friends and family. And those of you headed out my way for ALA Midwinter this weekend, I hope it is all cleared out by then.  I will see many of you there.

For past Monday Discussions, click here.