Here in Portland, Oregon there are seven fewer hours of daylight in the winter than the summer. That’s a pretty dramatic shift! Coupled with daylight savings ending, it can feel like someone turned out the light on life. But with the right attitude — and a good book — you can make short days feel super cozy and comforting.

Here are five books to read by the fire on cold, dark nights here in the Pacific Northwest:

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The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living — Hygge has been a buzz word for the last few years. Pronounced hoo-ga, it’s a Danish philosophy of intentional comfort, togetherness, and well-being. Kick off cozy season with this how-to guide to slowing down and setting the mood for maximum ambiance.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie — If you haven’t read this mystery masterpiece, you are in for a treat! Christie’s critically acclaimed tale follows ten people stuck together on Soldier Island, off the English coast. Seasoned sleuths may figure out whodunnit, but the ride is worth the read.

The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey — Set in the 1920s, The Snow Child is an atmospheric tale about Jack and Mabel, a childless couple in their 50s who leave Pennsylvania for the Alaska frontier. They soon discover that the bleak wilderness cannot be tamed, nor their longing for the child they lost. But when they build a girl out of snow, something magical happens that changes everything.

Seven Days of Us by Francesca Hornak — An extended English family is forced to spend seven days under quarantine during the Christmas holidays. The premise sounds like a horror movie, but in this family drama, the secrets and suspicions are strangely charming.

With close to 2500 five star reviews, you can’t really go wrong with this one. Plus, is there an Agatha Christie book out there not worth reading?

Why are Danes the happiest people in the world? The answer, says Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, is Hygge.

This book is one of my favorites! You can checkout more of my fave reads on Goodreads here.

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley — A historical romance with supernatural elements make this book a must read. Using parallel storylines, we meet Carrie McClelland, an author seeking information and inspiration for her historical novel, along with the characters she writes about. But when Carrie discovers her writing is more fact than fiction, she realizes she may be the only living person who knows the real story.

Her Caprice by Keira Dominguez — A charming Regency romance that has all of the fun of mystery, suspense and even a little bit of the paranormal. I stayed up next to a fire until the wee hours of the night finishing this intoxicating read. I interviewed this author last year…read more about her on this post.

… and for the kids:

The Boy and the Bear by Sarah Massini — This recent picture book release — about a boy who receives an invitation from an unexpected playmate — spans several scenic seasons.

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser — The story of a large family who have eleven days to do whatever it takes to keep their beloved brownstone home.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater — The first book in a trilogy about young love and werewolves. In other words, Twilight for the next generation.

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