The air is getting colder, the sky is getting darker, and holiday season is right around the corner. While at home during the winter break, there’s nothing more perfect than cozying up with a great book and a warm beverage of your choice.
As such, here are some bookworm-approved novels for you to eat up this December.
1. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
After its brief debut on TikTok, The Song of Achilles seemingly lost its influence on the booktok community. Despite this, Miller’s powerful interpretation of the Greek myth of hero Achilles and his lover Patroclus is a necessary read for all lovers of fantasy and historical fiction. It’s a ravishing tale of forbidden love, honor, and the choice between pride and morality. With vivid description and exquisite character depth, The Song of Achilles checks all of the boxes for an immersive read.
2. The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
A classic award-winning novel is always a go-to. Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale is a fascinating mix between dystopia and realistic trials and tribulations of modern society. Atwood’s unreliable narrator leaves the reader anticipating every page-turn, eager to discover the plot unfold at a realistic pace. Themes of the patriarchy, religious-structured society, and the choice between obedience and freedom will leave you never wanting to put this masterpiece down. You can never go wrong with Atwood.
3. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
If you’re looking for a controversial but contemplative read, Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is the novel for you. It follows the vividly descriptive life of unreliable narrator and pedophile Humbert Humbert. While beautifully illustrated, the content of Lolita is definitely on the more uncomfortable side. It brings us along as the middle-aged protagonist grooms his stepdaughter, Dolores (nicknamed Lolita). Unlike what you might expect, Humbert Humbert is aware that his impulses are morally wrong, yet continues to act on them. Lolita is a challenging read, both in a literary and emotional sense, so it may not be everyone’s cup of tea despite its literary genius.
4. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Yet another novel that blew up on TikTok, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a heartbreaking tale following the life of 1950s actress Evelyn Hugo uncovering her seven unfulfilling marriages, the ugly truth behind the Old Hollywood film industry, sexuality, and self-discovery. Jenkins Reid brings the famed star to life so vividly that when reading it, I believed it was a true story. Upon later discovering that it is actually fiction, I was amazed with the character death and cohesive backstory. You won’t regret getting to know Evelyn and her many lovers this holiday season as you immerse yourself in 1950s Los Angeles.
5. the birth house by Ami McKay
A local depiction of the early 20th century Maritimes, Ami McKay’s the birth house is a deep and delightful piece of historical fiction following the life of young woman Dora Rare. It divulges the secrets of women’s lives in the early 1900s, expanding on many topics including herbal medicine, pregnancy and sex, and early stages of feminism. With remarkable depictions of sexism in rural east Canada, the birth house is a fascinating read especially to those who live here in the present. If you’re a history, feminism, or obstetrics lover, this is the novel for you.
Snuggle up with one of these must-read novels this holiday season or, of course, gift one to your friends and family to give them and yourself an insightful and enjoyable winter break.
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