By Jenn Steinbrecker
There are countless reasons why two Winter reading is the perfect excuse to slow down, get cozy, and sneak a little holiday cheer. Cozy looks different for everyone, and these ten reads are perfect for helping you relax, reset, and enjoy the most wonderful time of the year! Whether you are curled up under a blanket, bundled into the stands at the hockey arena waiting for your grandchild or special little one, planning festive crafts and baking, or simply enjoying a quiet moment during the busiest time of the year. The best part of the reads: they’re all available through the TRAC system!
Still Life
By Louise Penny
If you haven’t reached for a Louise Penny novel before, this is the perfect place to start. She writes with a style that keeps you turning the pages with compelling characters and a mystery that draws you in, without the unnecessary details slowing down the story. When a beloved resident of Three Pines is found dead in the woods, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache must uncover whether it was a tragic hunting accident or something far more sinister.
Never Too Late
By Danielle Steel
You can never go wrong with a Danielle Steel novel. Her timeless stories continue to captivate longtime readers while drawing in new fans of all ages. After a devastating tragedy in New Your City brings four very different people together, they are forced to reconsider their lives, relationships, and whether it is ever too late to begin again.
Three Inch Teeth
By CJ Box
CJ Box’s fast-paced mysteries continue to fly off our shelves, drawing in new readers every week and leaving them eager for more. Wyoming game warden faces two deadly threats: a rogue grizzly bear and a recently released prisoner seeking revenge against Joe and everyone he blames for his downfall.
Strangers In Time
By David Baldacci
David Baldacci has firmly established himself as a favourite among readers, who eagerly await his next release. If you are looking to sink your teeth into an author with an extensive collection, look no further. Set in London in 1944, this moving historical novel follows a grieving bookseller and two teenagers scared by war who form an unlikely bond and find healing, hope, and family in one another.
First Frost
By Craig Johnson
Fans of the Longmire television series may not realize that Walt Longmire’s story jumped off the pages of Craig Johnson’s mystery series. Time slipping between 1964 and the present day, First Frost follows young Walt and Henry Standing Bear as they stumble into danger before leaving for the Vietnam War, while present-day Walt faces the consequences of a deadly confrontation.
Chair Yoga for Seniors
By Lunn Lehmkuhi
Chair yoga has gained a lot of momentum with our senior patrons as they look for low-impact ways to stay healthy, active, and engaged. Chair yoga is the perfect fit for winter activity, allowing you to exercise safely and comfortably indoors when the streets are icy. It includes easy-to-follow seated stretches, warm-ups, and routines for different levels.
Mary Berry’s Christmas Collection
By Mary Berry
Nothing brings people together during the holiday season quite like delicious food, and Mary Berry is a trusted guide for creating something memorable. Filled with festive recipes for everything from baking and appetizers to complete Christmas meals, this collection offers plenty of inspiration for both traditions and new favourites.
Crochet Cute Critters
By Sarah Zimmerman
Winter is the perfect time to pick up a new hobby or settle in with one you already love. Featuring 26 beginner-friendly and approachable crochet projects to create an entire collection of adorable stuffed animals for yourself, or to give as a heartfelt gift.
Natural Christmas Crafts
By Ilona Buttler
Homemade decorations add a special warmth to the holiday season, especially when they’re created from simple materials found around the home or outdoors. Featuring 27 projects, this book shows you how to transform pinecones, twigs, jars, fabric, and other everyday items into rustic wreaths, ornaments, centrepieces, and heartfelt gifts.
Winter Garden
By Kristin Hannah
Saving the best, or at least one of my personal favourites, for last. Kristin Hannah’s powerful writing and rich historical detail make this a deeply moving novel that has stayed with me for many years. This is one of those unforgettable books I recommend often and wish I were experiencing reading it for the first time all over again. When sisters Meredith and Nina finally convince their distant mother to finish the mysterious fairy tale she began during their childhood, they uncover a heartbreaking story of love, survival, and sacrifice during the Siege of Leningrad.
Jenn Steinbrecker
Jenn Steinbrecker was born and raised in Hanna, Alberta, with family roots in both Scapa and Spodin. After gaining experience in social services, supporting neurodivergent individuals and youth at risk, she returned home to Hanna in 2018 and rejoined the Hanna Municipal Library, where her love of literacy first began. Jenn has since grown from programming to Assistant Director and now proudly serves as Library Director. She is passionate about connecting people with books they will love and creating an inclusive, welcoming library that remains a cornerstone of rural community life. Jenn lives in Hanna with her fiancé, four of their children, and her much-loved dog, Evie.