9 Books That Will Break Your Winter Slump

Snow, snow, go away. Don’t come back another day! If you live in the north or along the east coast, you’re undoubtedly ready for winter to end. Sure, technically speaking, Spring began on March 20th, but with temperatures that have stayed around 30 degrees or less and ample snow that continues to fall we’re finding it hard to believe that spring has actually arrived.

But like with all other heartache, we know one surefire way to break our winter slump... books! Partnered with some of our favorite spring-inspired book scented candles, we’re determined to break ourselves out of this post-winter slump with some good reads! We may be in that time of year where everything is mushy and bleak, but a good book can make any day feel as warm and welcoming as summer. Check out these 10 spring book recommendations!

1. A Room With a View

Arguably one of the most “springy” books on our list, spring could almost be considered a character in this classic romantic comedy by E.M. Foster. With a colorful cast of characters, our orderly, middle-class main character Lucy finds her well-organized world turned upside down after a trip to Florence where she encounters unconventional characters that force her to reevaluate her life choices. Torn between the newly discovered surprises of Italy and her familiarity with dear old England, Lucy has to decide if she will stick with what she knows to be safe and reliable or fellow her heart to something new.

2. The Secret Garden

If you’ve yet to read this classic novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett then now’s the time! What a better way to celebrate spring then reading all about a magical garden? After tragedy strikes, newly orphaned Mary Lennox is sent to live in a lonely, mysterious house in the Yorkshire moors with an aloof uncle and cousin as well as a few well-meaning staff and a neighbor boy. With the innocence of youth shining thorough in every paragraph, this novel will warm you from the inside out.

3. Pride and Prejudice

Another classic, what could put you in a better spring mood than the eternal love story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy? While not your typical romance, this classic Austen novel is warm and charming in all the right places. As one of the five Bennet sisters, Elizabeth knows she must marry, but her headstrong manner makes finding love nearly impossible. Witty dialogue, romantic gestures, and some of the greatest lines in literature can be found within the pages of Pride and Prejudice.

4. The Princess Bride

If you didn’t know that The Princess Bride was a book before it was a movie, then this spring is the time to rectify that tragic oversight. This book is the perfect spring read. With adventure, giants, true love, and a miracle or two, The Princess Bride will thaw your frozen winter heart. Follow the classic eternal love story of Westley and Buttercup and learn that true love is truly one of the strongest forces on this earth.

5. The Rosie Project

The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion is the feel-good novel you’ll want to read by your window as you watch the snow melt. The novel follows a socially challenged genetics professor who is having issues making it to date number two. Taking the idea that “there’s someone for everyone” is statistically sound, our main character, Don, decides that the correct way to find a life partner is thorough a scientifically-driven approach. Thus the creation of The Wife Project. Yet when someone comes along who qualifies perfectly for The Wife Project, things aren’t as simple as they should be. The Rosie Project is adorable in its awkwardness and hilarity, we highly recommend.

6. Scandal in Spring

We would be remiss if we didn’t include at least one pretty cheesy blatantly spring-themed romance novel. Scandal in Spring by Lisa Kleypas is our choice when it comes to spring-themed romance novels. With the deadline fast approaching for when she must find a husband, Daisy Bowman is frantically searching high and low for a suitor so that she may avoid marrying the ruthless Matthew Swift. But with some unexpected charm, Matthew shows that he’s not ready to be discounted quite so easily. Love, passion, and a scandalous secret or two, this novel will get your spring off to a fun start.

7. Outlander

What better way to break your winter slump than by escaping through time? Outlander, the first of the series of the same name by Diana Gabaldon, is a great series to jump into this spring. In this first installment of the Outlander series, Claire Randall returns home from the war in 1945 to be reunited with her husband. Being a combat nurse, Claire is more than ready for a vacation after all that she witnessed during the war. But taking a walk one afternoon in the British Isles she suddenly finds herself thrust back into 1743 Scotland. Lairds, spies, and battles, oh my! Will Claire find her way home, or will she decide to stay with the new life, and love, that she has come to discover in the past?

8. The Phantom Tollbooth

Want something that you can probably read in an afternoon but will keep you smiling for days on end? Enter The Phantom Tollbooth. Like The Secret Garden, The Phantom Tollbooth is a children’s novel that is much beloved by many. If you find yourself bored due to the ample amount of time you're forced to spend indoors doing nothing due to the weather, then you need to read this book. Young Milo finds himself in a very similar situation. Everything’s become a bore for the young boy, yet with the entrance of a mysterious toy tollbooth, Milo’s life becomes anything but boring indeed. Seriously, this book is beyond clever, and every book lover should read it and appreciate its literary brilliance.

9. One for the Money

One for the Money is the first of Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. But before we get to the synopsis, let us start by saying that this series drives us up a wall. Oh sure, the first 10, we’ll even give you 12, books are great. But then they. Just. Keep. Going. Seriously, the 24th book in this series just came out. 24th! We’ve got a lot of feelings about the longevity of this series and the reasoning behind said longevity, but it’s a series we definitely recommend passively enjoying. Don’t hold out much hope for character development and these books are actually a laugh. They remind us of adult versions of Junie B Jones. One for the Money will make you legitimately laugh out loud numerous times and makes for the perfect light read to lift your post-winter spirits. The basic premise is that Stephanie Plum, an average everyday woman, needs a job and decides to go work for her cousin Vinnie as a bail bond enforcement office. AKA, a bounty hunter. Hot men are involved, crazy mysteries, and amazing dialogue. Start with One for the Money and keep reading through this series until you give up on the whole thing because the author refuses to move the characters forward or end the darn series already. Like we said, we have feelings about this series.

Happy Spring from Frostbeard

We’re so beyond ready for spring. We plan to dive into these books and hope that by the time we’re done the temperature is at least in the upper 50s consistently. But to help put us in the spring mood even while snow continues to fall in our neck of the woods, we’ve released our new line of spring book-inspired candles! This year’s spring scents include Pemberley Gardens, Sexy Librarian, Gatsby’s Mansion, and Book Cellar. If you’re tired of waiting for spring to come, give any of these new scents a try along with one of the titles listed above. Let us know in the comments below if you decide to give any of these spring titles a read.


Written by Roxie Lubanovic

Co-founder of Frostbeard Studio, creator of bookish candles, and avid reader.