Let's face it: Winter. Sucks.
Although we're in the middle of cold weather season, we’re already dreaming of summer days.
Unfortunately, for most of Canada, that won't happen for a while. But there is some good news: Although you might not be able to take a trip down south, you can still pop open a book that will make time go by a bit quicker.
To help ease your winter blues, check out the 10 books below that will help you get through these trying times. Whether it be a new sci-fi read, a thrilling mystery or a laugh-out-loud memoir, these books will carry you through to warmer days.
Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth
From the author who gave us the "Divergent" series comes a new sci-fi fantasy series where people in a distant galaxy develop a currentgift — a power that can shape the future. For Akos and Cyra however, their currentgift makes them vulnerable to others' control, putting their lives in danger. Together, they must defeat their enemies and reset the balance of power in their world.
How To Murder Your Life by Cat Marnell
A former beauty writer who once worked at all the best New York glossies and co-founded xoJane, discusses her life (so far) and all its so-not-chic moments. From her many drug addictions, to her hard-partying ways to her bulimia, Marnell doesn't hide a thing. Funny thing is, her unconventional life still sounds ultra glamorous.
The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware
In this gripping thriller, Lo Blacklock is travelling on a luxury liner, and while at first it seems like the best trip of her life, it quickly becomes terrifyingly dark after she witnesses a woman being thrown overboard. Trouble is, all the passengers seem to be accounted for. And so, the journalist tries to uncover the mystery.
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
It's the book that sparked a million dreams — and an Oscar-nominated film. Based on the true story of the black female mathematicians at NASA whose work helped American men get into space, the book, and the lives of these women, has inspired girls and women around the world to think among the stars.
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Told with humour and grace, the "Daily Show" host recounts his life from growing up during apartheid South Africa to that famous desk, starting with his birth, which was in itself a crime. Noah was born to a white father and a black mother during a time when such an act was punishable by prison. Here, Noah documents the struggle of his family and their ultimate way to freedom.
Books for Living by Will Schwalbe
In his follow-up to the bestseller The End of Your Life Book Club, the author looks for the answers to the big and small questions about how to live his life, and tries to figure out how to make sense of the world in a time of so much noise and connectivity. Each chapter focuses on one book and how he finds meaning within it to understand his part in the world.
My Not So Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
Perfectly timed for this social media-obsessed world, the bestselling author's new book explores why the grass is always greener on the other side — especially if that other side is using the perfect filter. Protagonist Katie Brenner longs to live a better life, in particular, the life of her boss, Demeter Farlowe. While Farlowe's glam life looks picture perfect, Katie struggles with her mundane existance, until her boss suddenly fires her, and Katie is forced to move back home to her family farm, where she helps set up a luxe "glamour camping" business.
The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis
A celebration of the collaboration between Israeli psychologists, Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, this book explores the lives and work of two fascinating men who not only revolutionized science and medicine, but created a whole new field of economics.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Even though this Canadian classic was published in 1985, it's just as timely now. In a dystopian world, women are not allowed to work, read or have friends. The "Handmaids" only have one job: breed. One such handmaiden, Offred, can't let go of her old life and starts thinking about rebellion.
Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller
Ingrid Coleman writes letters to her husband about the truth of their marriage, but instead of giving them to him, she hides them within the thousands of books her husband collects. Then, she disappears after she writes her last letter. A dozen years later, her daughter comes home to look after her ailing dad. She doesn't believe that her mother is dead, and begins to question the events of her mother's disappearance.