Magic away the winter blues

January is one of those months that tends to drag on forever. The Christmas and New Year celebrations and cheer are long gone and getting through the miserable weather and short, short sunlight hours (please come back to us, sun!) can feel like a bit of a slog.

Many will have their own way of coping with these long winter months, but in my opinion one of the best ways to manage the darkness and cold is to escape into a good book. However, at this time of year, you can’t just choose any old book to chase away the winter blues. These are the months that should be devoted to searching for ways to bring a little bit of magic into your life. Maybe you are a lifelong Tolkein fan and have always dreamt of living in a hobbit house (in my opinion the sawdust toilet is simply not worth it), or perhaps Terry Pratchett is a long time love, or it may be that fantasy itself is not for you, but you love books that feel magical in their use of mythology and lyricism. Whatever your personal preference may be, allow us to introduce you to our favourite books that we think are perfect for bringing that magical spark into your winter routine.

The Illustrated Child by Polly Crosby

A ramshackle house in the countryside; a child left to roam freely in the gardens with her kitten; and an artist father creating beautiful and successful children’s illustrated books. The magic of this novel comes in Polly Crosby’s gorgeous writing, but despite the beauty that she weaves with her words, there is a dark side to this novel.

The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey

An incredible and unique work of fiction set on a Caribbean island. A mermaid becomes a woman and the women who cursed her follow her to land, bringing irreversible change to the island’s inhabitants. This is a book that takes you straight into a world that you will not want to leave.

A Girl Made of Air by Nydia Hetherington

This book is pure magic. One of my favourite books of 2020, it is magical realism at its finest. From the sea, to the land and into the circus, this is a mesmerising tale will demand your attention.

Beautiful World, Where Are You Sally Rooney

Sally Rooney is back and she brings a book that looks for hope and light in a world that can often seem dark. What better pick for the darkest months of the year than this story that examines the complexity of relationships and tries to find some joy in it all.

Happy Reading!