Winter is a great time to hunker down with a gripping novel. Here are three suggestions from Lake Geneva Public Library Community Engagement Librarian Ellen Ward-Packard.
THE FROZEN RIVER
BY ARIEL LAWHON
Based on an incident in the life of 18th century midwife Martha Ballard, this historical novel chronicles the murder of a man accused of assault in an early American town. Ballard’s extensive diaries ground this thriller in the realities of frontier medical practice. This one was chosen as an NPR Book of the Year in 2023.
SPINNING SILVER
BY NAOMI NOVIK
Determined to lift her family out of poverty, Miryem takes over the family business and rapidly comes to the attention of a fairy king who wants control of her ability to change silver into gold. Inspired by the Rumpelstiltskin myth and eastern European folklore, this fairytale sees three young women banding together to put an end to a deadly, magical winter.
THREE HOLIDAYS AND A WEDDING
BY UZMA JALALUDDIN AND MARISSA STAPLEY
If you’re looking for a light and romantic holiday read, look no further. Strangers on a plane, an emergency landing in a holiday-card town and the concurrence of Christmas, Hanukkah and Ramadan provide the ingredients for this lighthearted holiday rom-com. But make no mistake; it’s been extremely well-reviewed by everyone from Oprah to BookRiot. Hallmark Channel movie fans, this one’s for you.
