7 Reasons Why Winter is Perfect for Reading Fairy Tales

1. The weather is the definition of atmospheric.
Even if there isn’t actual snow on the ground, a dash of frost covering the land can add sparkle to any story. Evergreen trees are Instagram worthy, as are the twinkling winter lights decorating neighborhood houses. At the same time, however, the weather does pack a cold bite. If you’re the type that loves the pleasing aesthetic, along with those not-so-gentle-winds, you’ll love curling up with Melissa Albert’s The Hazel Wood, in which Alice, granddaughter of a famous fairy tale author and daughter of a mom always on the move, must enter the dark Hinterland, a place where stories are more than they seem.

2. Many fairy tales are set in winter or involve winter.
Since many fairly tales are set in fantasy realms or during another time period, you can’t always Google Map a state or location to get a visual. But rarely are fairy tales without some sense of seasons, and winter is one of the most common. Even in myth, winter’s origin story revolves around Persephone’s departure into the Underworld with Hades. In Wintersong, S. Jae-Jones’s takes readers to a winter of music, magic, and mistakes when Liesl saves her sister from the Goblin King—at the price of becoming his bride. Embrace the cold: pull open the blinds, put on some Mozart, and immerse yourself in this beautiful story with a view to the outside. And just in time to welcome the chill, the sequel, Shadowsong, hits shelves this winter.

3. Chances of having time to read are higher.
Snow day, anyone? Whether you’re celebrating a winter holiday or not, the season means break from the monotony of school and work for most. That means extra reading time might be in the forecast, perfect for settling in to a new or retold fairy tale. I recommend Hunted, by Meagan Spooner, a Beauty and the Beast retelling in which Yeva must hunt to keep her family alive once their fortune is gone. When her father goes missing, she makes it her mission to track down the beast he was last hunting and find important answers.

4. Fairy tales make good conversation starters (and conversation avoiders).
While the final season of the year brings many perks, it also brings a lot social interaction, for better or for worse. From holiday office parties to family gatherings to awkward run-ins with old acquaintances, the small talk feels like it won’t end. Many a book lover will carry a trusty paperback with them in hopes of avoiding some of that engagement. But there’s always that one annoying person (or two or three) who sees someone pages deep in reading as a conversation starter. Not great at elevator pitching? A fairy tale certainly helps here, since the majority of people are familiar with the classics. Try bringing C.J. Redwine’s The Shadow Queen, or the upcoming companion, The Traitor Prince, with you. The Shadow Queen is a Snow White retelling, which makes things easy. In it, Lorelai, our Snow White, will do whatever it takes to defeat the evil queen and take back her throne. The Traitor Prince is inspired by The False Prince and The Prince and the Pauper, where Javan, crown prince of Akram, returns to his kingdom after boarding school to find another has taken his place.

5. Winter brings a feel of magic in the air.
Whether or not Santa Claus is real or not (not spoiling that for anyone), winter has long been associated with mysterious magic. An oversized man getting through the chimney of every house in one night with the perfect gifts for everyone? Reindeer that fly? ELVES?! Winter is steeped in a unique kind of folklore that isn’t quite as present in the other seasons. If you love the time of the year where believing in fictional characters is encouraged, pick up Girls Made of Snow and Glass, by Melissa Bashardoust, a spin on Snow White where Mina, the queen, and Lynet, her stepdaughter, have more in common than they know.

6. Fairy tales give hope that something good might happen, even in the face of great odds, just like winter makes way for spring.
While I love a soft snow, a reason to curl up by a fireplace, and cups and cups of apple cider or cocoa, it’s hard not to feel sad as darkness descends and the cold sets in. Sometimes, winter feels like it endlessly stretches on, and the sun will always be far away. But (so far, anyway!) winter has never failed to (eventually) yield to spring, and the rising of plants, flowers, and other forms of life is always worth the wait. Fairy tales can serve a similar function, reminding us all that even in our darkest, coldest hours, light and hope are about to bloom. Lexa Hillyer’s Spindle Fire, inspired by Sleeping Beauty, also takes readers down a dark path. When Aurora’s curse is fulfilled, half-sister Isabelle must search for a prince to kiss Aurora, all while the faerie queen’s army prepares to attack the castle. Just when everything seems lost, courage, friendship, and heart grow in surprising ways. The follow-up, Winter Glass, hits shelves in April, just in time for spring.

7. If you hate the cold weather, fairy tales are uniquely equipped to transport your mind elsewhere.
If you’re a summer lover, winter is not likely a good experience for you. The cold chills every inch of the body, enjoying a nice ice cream is much more difficult, and going for a short walk in the park requires at least three layers of clothing. If that’s you, might I suggest a fairy tale that not only has an engaging premise to take your mind off the weather, but also has such a remarkable and vivid setting that you feel transported? Julie C. Dao’s Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is an East Asian reimagining of the Evil Queen, where Xifeng, a young peasant in a forgotten village, is determined to embrace her destiny and become Empress….even if it means succumbing to the darkness.