5 wickedly wintery reads to hide under a blanket with this Winter
Mikala Rickers thinks we should couple the grim weather with some wintery books.
The days are getting colder, the wind howls ever louder and night-time is setting in earlier. As the chill and the dark creep in, there’s no better time to brew a hot chocolate, grab a fluffy blanket and snuggle into bed with a wintery read. Here are my top 5 recommendations for this winter… if you dare!
5. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
A gothic classic of the 20th century, I’m sure you’ve heard of Rebecca, or at least one of its numerous adaptations for screen, stage and even radio. The recent 2020 adaptation starring Armie Hammer (rip) and Lily James opened my eyes to this dark and chilling narrative, perfect for a night in as the rain beats against your window. Following an unnamed young woman, the plot of Rebecca is hauntingly beautiful, tackling the passions of love, lust, hatred, power and just downright creepiness. By shadowing a budding romance with the eerie memory of a past wife, Du Maurier evokes an atmosphere of disquiet and peril, leading to a downward spiral of self-doubt and shame within both protagonists, as the past slowly rises to the surface.
4. Sincerely, Ethel Malley by Stephen Orr
Have you ever encountered the name Ern Malley whilst looking up obscure Australian hoaxes? Or uncovered poets who don’t exist? Do you enjoy seeing the literary world in upheaval? Based on the 1944 publication of poems in Angry Penguin under the guise of Ern Malley, and the following prosecution of said publishers in Adelaide, Sincerely, Ethel Malley follows the fictitious sister of the non-existent poet, Ern, as she discovers his poems and propels his name into fame. As fiction and fact collide in this Australian novel, you’ll be enthralled by the nature of reality and charmed by the relationships developed between characters. By distorting truth and lies, Orr weaves a story that challenges loyalty, trust, art, modernity and relationships.
3. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Set in a small, hidden café in the heart of Tokyo, Before the Coffee gets Cold follows four individual stories, each intertwining together through their common characters and home-made brewed time travel. The story unfolds through a set of rituals: first, you must sit in a particular chair, second, you must never leave the cafe once in the past, and finally, you must return to the present before the coffee gets cold. These rituals allow characters to travel through time and speak with a lost loved one. Each of the characters discover happiness in light of love, family and friendship in each of their own poignant personal journeys. Yet there are strict rules and danger lurks for those who disobey the commands. Originally written for the stage, this little book is perfect for a cosy night in, reading by the fireplace and hiding from the darkness of winter
2. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
One of Agatha Christie’s best ‘Hercule Poirot’ novels, Murder on the Orient Express, is one of my top 3 favourite books of all time. When murder strikes in the dead of night upon a luxurious train travelling through the European countryside, the famous Hercule Poirot finds himself solving a mystery whilst on holiday. Meanwhile, tragedy befalls upon the perpetrator in the form of a snowdrift, suspending the train from movement and providing the opportunity for justice to be exacted. Though Christie’s mysteries are not as gruesome as others, the plot twists she concocts will leave you shocked yet highly satisfied. With a grand setting, a snug atmosphere, old-timey expressions and a fast-paced structure, you will soon be solving mysteries with your little grey cells, alongside little old M. Poirot.
1. Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey
Are you in the mood for a novel set in a summer atmosphere but one that will chill you right down to the bone? Jasper Jones is truly a great book that I believe every Australian book-lover should read. Whilst Jasper Jones is a mystery novel like the other books on this list, this one is unique thanks to its setting in 1960s rural Australia, in which racism, sexism and uprising runs rampant. Unfolding in the sweltering summer, two young boys team up to discover the truth that lies hidden behind fabrication and fear within their town. With extremely high stakes, Charlie Bucktin must watch as his commitment to love, death, prejudice and justice unravel in a sickening perversion of hatred before his very eyes. The two leading characters, Charlie and Jasper, perfectly complement one another and the desire for truth will have you turning the pages in anticipation and dread. You can also watch the 2017 film, or alternatively, just sit and stare at the hauntingly beautiful cover design.