Top 5 Winter Reads to Soak Up the Season in 2025
Winter has its own charm; misty mornings, nippy evenings, and cozy nights, mingling with hot pakoras and endless cups of garam chai. Whether you’re in the snowy hills of Himachal, the fog-laden plains of North India, or enjoying a mild winter down south, there’s no better time than winter for reading a book; you settle under a soft blanket, holding a book that warms your heart.
Here are 5 perfect reads for winter 2025, handpicked especially for Indian readers.
1. The Mountain Shadow by Gregory David Roberts
If you have read Shantaram and loved it, there is a sequel for you. The sequel dives deeper into Mumbai’s underworld, offering philosophical reflections perfect for slow winter days.
The Mountain Shadow is a gripping thriller enriched with expansive, vivid local atmosphere and a slow, reflective narrative. The novel makes you lose yourself in its world, perfect for long, cozy winter nights.
2. Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree
There are books that everyone should read, and Tomb of Sand by Booker winner Geetanjali Shree is one of them.
The novel is both playful and profound. Exploring a self-discovering journey, an elderly woman. Tomb of Sand is a story woven around family dynamics, aging effects, and the courage to embrace life.
The novel wraps around you like a cozy fire on a cold night. It narrative approaches you as a warm hand that takes you to the long shadows of Partition through humor and a beautifully subtle sarcasm, explores identity and losses in human life throughout their journey.
3. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
This heartwarming Japanese contemporary fiction is about time travel and the most desirable thing in a person’s life, a second chance. The novel is woven in the setting of a cozy café that gives you a chance, a unique experience of traveling back in time. The character decides to seize the opportunity, travel back in time, and alter some most pivotal moments of their life.
They wanted to confront the man who left them, receive a letter from their husband whose memory has been taken due to Alzheimer's, to see their sister one last time, and to meet the daughter they never got the chance to know. The interesting part is, they can do whatever they want to in the past, but in one condition, they must return to the present before the coffee gets cold.
4. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
A magical, atmospheric fantasy set in a circus that appears only at night. The novel is truly enchanting, truly magical. Reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern is like being in a lucid dream. This book mesmerizes you so much that you forget you're reading a book; you won’t realize when lost in its depths.
The book tells a story about a girl (Celia) and a boy (Marco), who were getting trained in the circus by two old magicians. The circus is a very particular kind of circus that is only open during nighttime hours. It all began with a challenge. The challenge came with rules that neither of them was familiar with. Its dreamy, winter-friendly visuals and enchanting storytelling make this a great seasonal pick.
5. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune is a heartwarming fantasy that feels like a comforting hug. The story revolves around Linus Baker and six children. Linus Baker, a quiet, rule-abiding caseworker at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He was sent to evaluate an orphanage. What begins as a bureaucratic assignment soon becomes a journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and love.
The children and the orphanage were hiding some secrets in their sleeves. The author Klune’s writing is gentle, humorous, and empathetic. The characters blend perfectly with the storyline and are charming and memorable. Perfect for readers seeking a cozy, feel-good fantasy with heart and soul.
