With the winter months now officially setting upon us, there’s never been a more ideal time to wrap up warm in from of the fireplace and dive into a good book. The colder months afford us the opportunity to get lost in stories without fear of missing out and we’re as great a nation of readers as we have ever been. One great suggestion for you in case you like fantasy is cradle book series.
According to research from Hammonds Furniture, away from household duties, people still managed to get their rest in during COVID, including napping and watching TV. Time spent reading, however, also increased by 26%. So, whether you’re a regular reader or have only just discovered the joy of reading for yourself thanks to the pandemic, here are 5 of the best new books to read this winter.
1. Everyone You Hate is Going to Die by Daniel Sloss
Scottish comedian Sloss is an incredibly deadpan stage presence with a dry wit that could cut glass. But using the same studied banter that has led to a reported 120,000 breakups, here he turns his gaze upon every conceivable kind of modern relationship. It’s funny, painfully honest and, of course, pretty damn bleak.
2. Silverview by John le Carré
The final book finished by the great author before his death last year, Silverview is a classic Le Carré tale of espionage led by a charming protagonist who gave up city living for a job selling books by the sea. But of course, we all know it can’t possibly be the idyllic ever-after he was hoping for.
3. The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman
If you only know Richard Osman as the co-presenter of Pointless, prepare to have your mind blown. This is the second book from the towering bespectacled wunderkind and is just as riddled with charming ennui and warm giggles as his debut “The Thursday Murder Club.” Following the protagonists from that first book, the second outing in the series raises the stakes quite considerably and is all the better for it.
4. Grandude’s Green Submarine by Paul McCartney
Yes. That Paul McCartney. But seriously, what would a list like this be without a wonderful book for the younger readers among us? If you’re looking for something to read your kids that won’t put you to sleep too, you could do far worse than this delightful adventure. If nothing else you’ll enjoy spotting all the Beatles references.
5. Better Off Dead be Lee and Andrew Child
If you can’t find something to enjoy in a Jack Reacher book then honestly, what’s wrong with you? While they are hardly the most imaginative books in popular fiction they are certainly amongst the most readable and while the Tom Cruise-starring film adaptation might have been a bit of a flop the novels have continued to go from strength to strength. Just don’t call it a guilty pleasure!