There are lovely times when a good book comes to mind. Cozy with cocoa; rain against the window; warm and bedtime… We read aloud with family, we read quietly to ourselves. We read alongside a group in book clubs or in class with peers. Reading should be such a large part of our lives. It is good for us! Growing our minds and vocabulary. Extending our knowledge and awareness.

With these thoughts in mind, I have chosen a few books that you might enjoy during the winter season! There are two kids/family books and two adult books.

Little House in the Big Woods

This has become a favorite in our family. It’s an excellent read aloud. And, Cherry Jones does a superb job on the audio book version. It can be a family book but it can also be a read alone book! This book begins the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Most American children know the story of this pioneer family. ‘Big Woods’ walks us through preserving: meat, vegetables, milk in cheesemaking… we follow three little girls and their family, even extended, as they go to town, have a maple sugar dance, and celebrate Christmas. Even if you’ve read this one as a child, read it again!

Eight Cousins

A lesser known novel by Louisa May Alcott, this book is about exactly what the title says. One girl and seven boys. Their adventures, their scuffles, and their standing for one another. I love seeing how childhood would’ve been in the 1880s era. Alcott paints beautiful scenes that keep us turning the pages. With ice skating and frigid winter happenings as well as summer and a camp out on an island, you will add this book to your collection of favorites!

Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot

I always love a good mystery! Agatha Christie was an expert in this regard. She had two main crime solvers: Miss Marple, an unassuming spinster and Hercule Poirot, a Belgian private detective. These stories are for mature audiences, not family read alouds. These books are hard to put down, so open with caution.

Devoted by Tim Challies

My sister gave me this book for Mother’s Day a few years back and it was a very helpful read! This book is subtitled ‘Great Men and Their Godly Mothers’ and gives biographical information on no less than 11 men from history and how their mothers influenced them. At only 124 pages, this can be a quick read or just one you have next to the couch to pick up (instead of your phone) when you sit down in the evening. Each chapter includes a Mother’s Reflection paragraph as well as reflection questions. This is an excellent book to gift or read yourself.

Do you make goals for your reading each year? Last year I surprised myself and read over 32 books! Each year I keep a note in my phone of the books I complete. It is helpful to go back and see what all I have read!

What are you reading currently?