If you’re anything like us, there is never enough time to read. Winter is the perfect time to slow down, curl up by the fire (a gas fire, of course!) and finally dive into that book that’s been sitting on your bedside table. From gripping thrillers to heartwarming memoirs, here are ten winter reads we think are well worth making time for.     

Kiwi novel

Our pick: The Book of Guilt – Catherine Chidgey 

A gripping speculative novel from one of New Zealand's most acclaimed authors, The Book of Guilt is haunting, unsettling and impossible to put down. Perfect for readers who enjoy thought-provoking fiction, it's a story that will stay with you long after you've finished it. 

Also consider: 

• Good things come and go – Josie Shaprio
• Poorhara – Michelle Rahurahu 

Thriller

Our pick: Broken Country – Clare Leslie Hall 

A tense, emotional thriller packed with secrets, betrayal and twists, Broken Country is ideal for readers who like stories that keep them guessing. The kind of novel that will have you saying, ‘just one more page’, it's perfect companion for a winter weekend. 

Also consider: 

• The Grapevine – Kate Kemp 
• The God of the Woods – Liz Moore 
  
  

Fantasy escape

Our pick: Weyward – Emilia Hart 

Blending folklore, nature and interwoven timelines, Weyward is the perfect winter escape. Immersive and magical without being overwhelming, it's become a favourite among readers who enjoy stories rooted in nature, folklore and female resilience. 

Also consider: 

• The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt: A Novel – Chelsea Iversen 
• The Book of Lost Hours – Hayley Gelfuso 
  
  

Romance

Our pick: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid 

Glamorous, emotional and impossible to put down, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows the life of a reclusive Hollywood icon as she finally tells the truth behind her seven husbands and extraordinary life. A modern favourite that's just as much about identity, ambition and friendship as it is about love. 

Also consider: 

• Heart the Lover – Lily King 
• Book Lovers – Emily Henry 
  
  

Memoir 

Our pick: Did I ever tell you this? – Sam Neill 

The late, great Sir Sam Neill shares his story through a warm and wonderfully conversational collection of memories. From his childhood in New Zealand and decades on film sets to life on his Central Otago farm and stories about his beloved animals, it feels as though he’s sitting across the fire sharing them with you. Funny, candid and full of heart, it's a memoir you won’t want to end, from one of New Zealand's most beloved storytellers. 

Also consider: 

• Te Kaikaukau | The Swimmer: I te Ao o te Reo – Witi Ihimaera 
• A Different Kind of Power – Jacinda Ardern  
• What I Ate in One Year – Stanley Tucci 

Historical fiction

Our pick: The Safekeep – Yael van der Wouden 

Set in the Netherlands after the Second World War, The Safekeep is a beautifully crafted story of family secrets, grief and unexpected love. Atmospheric and quietly suspenseful, it's a richly layered novel that rewards readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction. 

Also consider: 

• The Women – Kristin Hannah  
• The Correspondent – Virginia Evans 
  
  

Cosy crime

Our pick: Murder and Mojitos – Gareth and Louise Ward 

The latest instalment in the much-loved Bookshop Detectives series sees booksellers and amateur sleuths Garth and Eloise Sherlock investigating a murder on a Hawke's Bay beach. Packed with humour, colourful characters and plenty of twists, it's the perfect cosy crime read for winter. 

One to watch: 
Agatha Christie fans can also look forward to Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley, releasing in September 2026. The novel sees Foley step into the world of Miss Marple with a brand-new mystery inspired by Christie's beloved amateur detective.  

Also consider: 

• Spy Coast – Tess Gerritsen  
• We Solve Murders – Richard Osman  

The Thursday Murder Club series – Richard Osman 

Feel-good fiction

Our pick: Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt 

A staff favourite, Remarkably Bright Creatures is warm, funny and surprisingly moving. Featuring an unforgettable octopus named Marcellus, it's easy to see why this novel has become a word-of-mouth favourite around the world. If you fall in love with the story, you can also catch the Netflix adaptation starring Sally Field. 

Also consider: 

• The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife – Anna Johnston 
• The Wedding People – Alison Espach 

Audiobook 

Our pick: Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir 

One of those rare audiobooks that many readers say is even better than the print version. Narrated by Ray Porter, it's an immersive sci-fi adventure that's perfect for long winter evenings. 

Also consider: 

• Once There Were Wolves – Charlotte McConaghy  
• The Mad Wife – Meagan Church 

Non-fiction

Our pick: Feijoa: A Story of Obsession & Belonging – Kate Evans 

Part memoir, part cultural exploration and part love letter to an iconic fruit, Feijoa explores identity, belonging and the things that connect us. Warm, insightful and distinctly Kiwi, it's likely to resonate with anyone who's ever had a feijoa tree in the backyard. 

Also consider: 

• How Will I Ever Get Through This? – Dr Lucy Hone 
• Make It Make Sense – Bel Hawkins and Lucy Blakiston 
• Aotearoa in Bloom – Rachel Clare and Tryphena Cracknell