There's nothing like snuggling up with a good book during the cold winter months. Here are a few reading recommendations from our friend Sierra at The Book Bin to keep you cozy this season.
One Dark Window
by Rachel Gillig
In this book, the whole town is secluded by an overwhelmingly thick mist, which feels very fitting for winters in Salem. I found myself getting lost in this world, and it was the perfect book to stay in by the fire to read. It also had the perfect amount of slow-burn romance to warm my heart during the freezing weather. (Book 1 of The Shepherd King Series)
We Used to Live Here: A Novel
by Marcus Kliewer
One of my favorite horror motifs is where something just doesn’t feel right about the house – and this one is definitely one of those! This book was so spooky. I wasn’t able to read it much at night because I was worried about what was lurking in the darkness of my own home. The main character gets stuck inside during a snowstorm with a very weird family who used to live in HER house.
Whiteout: A Novel
By Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, Nicola Yoon
This story follows twelve teens as they are snowed in. Each story is written by a different popular YA black author, and they all tie together in the end. It was the perfect winter book to read when it starts snowing to feel immersed into the story. I love this style of large-cast book, and I really enjoyed being present for the feelings of joy throughout the story.
Sierra is an avid sweet-treat haver who also ravenously devours books that spread across many genres. They mostly enjoy spooky horror and cute fluffy romance books, but they have recently gotten into darker atmospheric fantasy books.
Bookish Events
You just finished a book. You loved it. You really, really want to talk about it. What book is it? Doesn't matter. The Salem Public Library’s Any Book Club is the group for you. It meets to talk about all the books. Bring the book you're reading, just read, or want to read. This group will dive into the discussion of books and make it fun with games and questions. Next events are 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec 19 and Jan 23, at Cinebarre, 501 Marion St NE
The Book Bin hosts a variety of book clubs —
- Feminist Book Club meets on the 2nd Sunday of each month, 4 to 5 p.m. at The Book Bin, 450 Court St NE
- Bestseller Book Club meets virtually on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. If you are interested in participating, email query@bookbin.com to connect with the leader, 8 p.m.
- Horror Book Club meets on the 3rd Sunday, 4 p.m. at The Book Bin, 450 Court St NE
- Science Fiction & Fantasy Book Club meets on the 3rd Monday, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. at f/Stop Fitzgerald's Public House, 335 Grove St NE
- Romantasy Book Club meets on the 4th Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. at The Book Bin, 450 Court St NE
This story originally ran in Press Play Salem issue 22 (Winter 2024/25)