2. Winter Reading Recs

Winter Reading Recs Washington and Lee University's library staff recommend their current favorite winter reads.

By Kelsey Goodwin
January 27, 2026

A few members of Washington and Lee University's library staff have put together a list of their reading recommendations to beat the winter doldrums. All these suggestions are available or soon to be available for checkout in Leyburn Library, the university's main library on campus, and the Telford Science Library.

Leyburn and Telford libraries are open to W&L faculty, staff and students seven days a week, 24 hours a day while classes are in session.

Shana Shutler, Library Assistant:

"Cat's Cradle" by Kurt Vonnegut

"This is a book that surprised me - in a good way. It was great satire!"

"Grizzly Confidential: An Astounding Journey into the Secret Life of North America's Most Fearsome Predator" by Kevin Grange

"This book feels surprisingly energizing, even in winter. The author is a former paramedic and park ranger in Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks."

Dorian McIntush, Open Scholarship and Data Resident Librarian:

"The Bear and the Nightingale" by Katherine Arden

"This is set in a remote village in medieval Russia where winter lasts most of the year. The novel is a coming-of-age story about a young girl named Vasilisa and beautifully incorporates Russian folklore. I haven't read the rest of the series, but I adored this book."

"The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin

"One of my favorite books I've ever read. This book is set on an alien ice planet and follows a human, Genly Ai, who has been sent to try to convince the nations of the planet to join an intergalactic federation. The descriptions of the cold in this book almost make you feel it in real life."

John Tombarge, Professor and Research and Instruction Librarian:

"Cloud Cuckoo Land" by Anthony Doerr

"This is a historical science fiction novel published in 2021 that blends elements of fantasy and science fiction with unconventional organization to create a complex world of plots that span generations."

"The Murderbot Diaries" by Martha Wells

"This series is great for science fiction fans who have limited time because they are fairly short, but they are action-packed."