Curl Up With a Book: 9 Warm Winter Reads

Jane chatted to Kristy Reading over at ABC New England North West about some great winter reads. She discussed a mix of sweeping historical novels, heated thrillers, and a self-help essential, because winter is the perfect time to bunker down and focus on YOU! Winter is also a great time to enjoy some audiobooks, and there’s one great title below that is perfect listening for a long, hot bath.

Winter is the ideal time to curl up and catch up on reading, so add these to your TBR pile.

The Heart is a Star by Megan Rogers

Layla Byrnes is exhausted. She’s juggling a demanding job, a disintegrating marriage, her young kids and a needy lover. And most particularly she’s managing her histrionically unstable mother, who repeatedly threatens to kill herself. But then her mother calls, offering to tell Layla something about what happened to her father… and put some demons to rest. Absorbing, lyrical, vivid and compulsively readable debut novel, The Heart is a Star is beautiful storytelling from a talented new writer.

Buy a copy here.

Where Light Meets Water by Susan Paterson

In her stunning debut, Susan Paterson explores the power of art to transform a life and to connect us to others. Where Light Meets Water is a multi-stranded novel of love – of a man and a woman, of a sailor and the sea, and of an artist and his gift. Paterson’s inspiration for this triumphant debut novel came from her own family – her great-great-great grandfather was Master Mariner Captain Thomas Robertson who was also an artist. His maritime oil paintings became an integral part of Paterson’s beautifully told tale, one in which she explores the transformative power of art.

Buy a copy here.

Life After Ted by R.D. Feneley

Ted McCall is a legend among Bondi lifesavers. When he is killed in a surfing accident, his death exposes long-held family secrets and sets in motion a series of revelations and betrayals. Only one thing is certain: Ted’s death is a defining moment for his loved ones. But will it make his family stronger, or break them apart? Threaded with wry humour, Life After Ted is a compelling examination of family conflict. The iconic backdrop of Bondi Beach is a presence as vivid and changeable as the flawed and complex characters navigating their way through grief, towards hope.

Buy a copy here.

Emboldened by Belinda Alexandra

Belinda Alexandra’s latest book merges memoir and historical non-fiction, showcasing her immeasurable talent as a storyteller. The catalyst for Emboldened was a traumatic event that had Alexandra rebuilding her life from rock bottom. While this became the foundation from which she wrote this book, it’s certainly not the focus of the story. On the contrary, she instead puts passion front and centre – her own and the four fascinating women who inspired her to live courageously and passionately during this dark period. Stunning in its execution, Emboldened is an exploration of resilience, connection and purpose, filled with history, breathtaking vulnerability and, mostly, passion.

Buy a copy here.

The Wonderful Thing About Phoenix Rose by Josephine Moon

Bestselling author Josephine Moon, known for her foodie fiction, takes a special turn in her latest novel, while still featuring her trademark warmth and uplifting style. Moon was identified as autistic at age 45, sharing this journey with her readers and followers. Now, she has written The Wonderful Thing About Phoenix Rose, a heartwarming novel that features an all-Autistic cast. The Wonderful Thing About Phoenix Rose is a vital conversation starter, and a great book club pick, but ultimately, it is a beautifully written story that celebrates embracing change. It is about the importance of camaraderie and friendship, happiness, adventure and learning how to stand out in a world that demands you fit in.

Buy a copy here.

The Double Bind by Loraine Peck

Loraine Peck’s gripping debut, The Second Son, won the 2021 Best Debut Crime Fiction Ned Kelly Award. Set in Western Sydney, it’s a disturbing look into gang warfare there, especially between the Croatians and Serbs. It introduced Johnny Novak, whose brother Ivan was gunned down, and his struggle between the toxic expectations of his birth family and his desire to keep his wife Amy and their son Sasha safe. Now, Johnny and Amy return in The Double Bind. In this novel, they’ve moved to a coastal town up north, but the past won’t let go – and neither will Milan, the family patriarch. Now it’s Amy’s turn to come out blazing, and it makes for a sensational read.

Buy a copy here.

Home Before Night by J.P. Pomare

From page one, J.P. Pomare effortlessly instills us with a tantalising sense of unease. Single mum Lou, once an airport immigration officer, is now redundant thanks to the pandemic. COVID-19 has taken its toll, Lou’s drinking a bit and her prime focus is on her pride and joy son, Samuel. Only her son hasn’t returned home by the curfew given for the latest lockdown, he’s not with her estranged ex… he’s not answering his phone… Where is he? In this page-turning thriller, all is not as it seems, and the truth is a lot darker – and in many ways more human – than we could ever imagine. Deftly written, lean in style, this is a gripping read from a true talent.

Buy a copy here.

The Anxiety Reset Method by George Collinson

Georgie Collinson is an Anxiety Mindset Coach, nutritionist and naturopath. She was once a prime example of high-functioning anxiety, until she overcame it using a breakthrough method, which she later used with clients, and online. Now, she shares this program in her book, The Anxiety Reset Method, which combines a variety of modalities to address anxiety. Using a well-structured week-by-week roadmap, this is an extremely manageable and effective program for anyone struggling with anxiety. Collinson covers a lot here, from foods that support gut health, to neuroplasticity and rewiring negative programs and stories. Each week, another area of anxiety is addressed, giving the reader time to absorb and implement change without feeling overwhelmed.

Buy a copy here.

Audiobook

Homecoming by Kate Morton, read by Emmy Award-winning actor Claire Foy

Homecoming is a breathtaking mystery of love, lies and a cold case come back to life. An epic story that spans generations and asks what we would do for those we love, how we protect the lies we tell, and what it means to come home, told with Morton’s trademark intricacy and beauty, and read by the incomparable Claire Foy.

Buy a copy of the audiobook here.