At work today, I put together a list of winter- and cold-themed YA books. Thought I might throw a few titles on here in case anyone needs a wintry read to pair with their hot cocoa. Each title will be accompanied by a brief, highly subjective, and generally useless commentary by yours truly.

“It is mad cold out here, and I’m angry because I have no delightfully winter-themed books to read!”

“I know, right? And who does a leopard have to maul around here to get some cocoa?”

As Simple As Snow by Gregory Galloway – Ooh, it’s all mystery-like! Hmm, from the description, this could go really dark, or possibly not. (How’s THAT for helpful commentary?)

Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan – Haven’t read this one, but I did read a different book by David Levithan, Boy Meets Boy, and I pronounce it both cute and important. And I also read Scott Westerfeld’s book Leviathan, which sounds like Levithan, and it was amazing, so I’m willing to throw this book a few random points for that, too. Because it’s the holidays, y’all.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa, and also Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr. I’m putting these together because they seem to have the same connection to winter, namely a summer-vs-winter faeries (or fairies, or fae, what have you) storyline. I read The Iron King and vaguely remember coldness occurring. I much more properly remember that the world was very well designed but the protagonist a grade-A wuss with a minor in obliviousness. Still, a lot of people like these books very much.

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle – Haven’t read this one, either. Indeed, I have read nothing by any of the authors. Well, I picked up a copy of Myracle’s ttyl in the store once and flipped through it. Seemed fun. And boy do people like to ban it . . . sorry, librarian tangent.

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater – Bonus: I’ve read this one! And cold is both pivotal to the storyline and well-described.

Trapped by Michael Northrup – I’ve read this one, too, and found it gripping. Which is amazing, considering that the teens spend a non-negligible amount of time partaking in such thrilling activities as eating canned peaches. But I was like I MUST KNOW WHAT HAPPENS, and then I was like OH NOOO, I AM READING THIS IN WINTER IN NEW ENGLAND, AND THEREFORE I WILL FREEZE TO DEATH! But I didn’t, so in that sense I guess there’s a happy ending.

Winter Town by Stephen Edmund – Cute cover, and the main character sounds nerdy. I approve.

The White Darkness by Geraldine McCaughrean – I haven’t read this, and frankly, the cover terrifies me a little bit. I’m pretty sure that girl is a white walker.