Staff Recs for Staying Cozy in the Cold

There’s plenty to love about all the snow we’ve had over the past few weeks, but it’s tough to find something nice to say about the frigid temperatures that came with it! Thankfully, CCPL’s collection includes plenty of ways to warm your spirit, from binge-worthy shows to family board games and everything in between. We asked our librarians how they survived staying indoors without being bored to death. Naturally, they credited some great books to their cozy comfort:

Skye P. (Lenski)

The Illustrated Guide to Monster Girls, Vol. 1

I really enjoyed this quick, episodic manga series. There are just four volumes in the series, but the art style is so fun and detailed! The witty, sometimes goofy writing works to tell entertaining short stories about a colorful cast of characters.

All Systems Red
Another series that I found easy to pick up and put down was the Murderbot Diaries. I’ve been devouring these fast novelettes thanks to the engaging writing style. I think Martha Wells has an excellent writing voice that makes it easy to lean into her stories.  

Kathy J. (Northridge)

The Historian
I will gladly wax poetically about The Historian. Although it starts off slow, it’s a really good book. It's a story that weaves through the annals of history to explore complex conundrums of how cities long steeped in intrigue and vampire lore reconcile themselves in the modern world. Readers follow the main protagonist as she uncovers the startling history of her parents' lives. Within the mystery are themes of academia and romance, as well as some wonderful descriptions of several vibrant European cities and numerous libraries. I also enjoyed the train travel that happens between locations. I was mesmerized before every revelation!

Maura C. (Main)

Bad Bishop
I stayed warm with some spicy reads, but one that stuck out to me was actually an audiobook called Bad Bishop. Even though it has plenty of standard romance tropes, I was pleasantly surprised by the deaf representation. The story is about the daughter of a mafia boss whose mother convinced her as a child to always act as though she has a severe mental disability, when she is actually only deaf. As she comes of age, she is forced to marry a rival boss due to extenuating circumstances, but they eventually fall in love! 

Christopher B. (Bookmobile)

The Wheel of Time (series)
I want to recommend The Wheel of Time series because it’s just such a great mix of fantasy magic and political intrigue. I love how massive and immersive the world is, and yet the cast of characters share a strong bond even as they leave their tiny village and become major players on the world stage. Their relationships change throughout the series, but they manage to stay a tight-knit group amid chaotic clashes between different factions. 

Want More Recommendations? 

Our staff loves to help readers discover their next great book. Check out the new section at your favorite branch to see the latest and greatest books, games, and more! You can always request a personalized reading list tailored to your tastes, too. Connecting readers with stories they’ll enjoy is one of the best parts of our job. We’ll continue to highlight staff picks throughout the year. If one of the recommendations resonates with you, we would love to hear about it!