By Cynthia Marie
This year’s Winter Solstice, December 21st, marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The Solstice symbolizes the “rebirth” of the sun as days began to lengthen again, promising the return of light and the eventual warmth of spring, celebrated with festivals, feasts, gift-giving, and lighting candles to ward off the darkness.
1. Solstice Book Swap: Host a Winter Solstice book exchange with friends or family. Each person brings a wrapped book, and everyone exchanges them to discover new stories for the season.
2. Read by Candlelight: Embrace the long winter night by reading your favorite book by candlelight, symbolizing the return of the light after the solstice. The Cozy Thrill cozy book boxes offer cozy mystery themed candles by Mourning Moon Candles to bring a little scent and light to your reading time.
3. Winter-Themed Reading List: Curate a reading list filled with winter-themed or solstice-related books, from magical fantasies to cozy mysteries set during the holidays. Here are some of the cozy reads I have on my TBR list this winter season:
Slay Bells Ring by Katie Forrest (writing as Mona Marple)
Book Blurb: It’s New Year’s Eve in Candy Cane Hollow. This winter wonderland may look festive and be home to the Claus Family, but all is not as it seems. The festivities take a turn for the bizarre when the giant glitter ball comes crashing down on cantankerous elf chef, Greasy. Chief Superintendent Wiggles is sure the death is just a tragic accident, but Holly isn’t so sure. Greasy was lots of things, but it appears that popular wasn’t one of them. Holly begins her own investigation with the eager help of Mrs. Claus, while dimpled Nick Claus warns them both to be careful. Was the death an accident? Or is that a false ho-ho-hope?
Witchy Wonderland by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
Book Blurb: Every Christmas season Holiday Hills turns into a magical, witchy wonderland filled with snowmen, sugar cookies by the dozen, and bottomless mugs overflowing with hot cocoa and whipped cream. Everyone in town looks forward to the season, but all celebrating comes to a grinding halt when the big guy’s messengers arrive with the worst of news. It seems someone’s stolen Santa’s list and hidden it in Holiday Hills. Without it, Christmas won’t happen, and a world without Christmas can never be the same. But Abby and her familiar cat Cooper won’t let that happen, not on their watch. Can they find the list and save the holiday?
Dachshund Through The Snow by Rose A. Point
Book Blurb: Holly loves the small town life in Full Fork, New York, especially since she gets to spend most of her time walking the adorable dogs of the town’s elite. Or hanging out at her best friend’s pet cafe. And the first day of Christmas is no exception to the routine. Until she arrives at her first client’s home to pick up an adorable Dachshund named Dixie and finds a corpse instead. The owner has been murdered! And, as the last person who saw her, Holly’s got a bright red target on her back. She’s got to figure out whodunit before Christmas is ruined.
Rebel Without A Claus by Zara Keane
Book Blurb: When ex-cop-turned-P.I. Maggie Doyle scores a lucrative undercover job at the makeup counter at a fashionable Galway department store, she expects discounted lipstick and an easy paycheck. She should know better. After an altercation with a customer, leads to a dead body in Maggie’s bathtub, she realizes there’s more to the department store case than missing cash. Can she catch the killer before the holidays? Or will the festive season end in an explosion of tinsel and turmoil?
Getaway Death by Bonnie Hardy
Book Blurb: Olivia Greer’s trip to the small town of Lily Rock has not been the relaxing getaway she hoped for. She was run off the road by a tailgater. Rescued by a handsome stranger. A friend was found dead. Oh, and now Olivia is the prime suspect in the murder. She really should have stayed home. Stranded in town as the investigation continues, Olivia must come to her own defense and uncover the secrets lurking beneath Lily Rock’s surface. In this seemingly sweet burg full of quirky characters, it’s easy to get swept up in its charm. But who can she truly trust in this town full of strangers? And who seeks to bury her beneath Lily Rock?
4. Literary Reflection Journal: Take time to reflect on the books you’ve read this year. Journal about your favorite reads, characters, and themes, and set intentions for your reading in the coming year. For a free 4-page reading log download, click here.
(https://thecozythrill.myflodesk.com/readinglog)
5. Create a Yule Reading Nook: Set up a cozy space with blankets, fairy lights, and candles to read during the solstice. Add winter-scented candles or simmering spices for extra ambiance. The Cozy Thrill’s Warm & Cozy book box includes Simmer Scents Room Refresh by Oily Blends to bring a seasonal sensory vibe to your reading time.
6. Bookish Advent Calendar: Create or buy a book-themed advent calendar to count down the days to the Winter Solstice. Each day, open a small bookish gift, like a bookmark, quote card, or literary trinket. Here is an extensive Etsy list of bookish advent calendars, available now! (https://www.etsy.com/search?q=bookish+advent+calendar)
7. Storytelling by the Fire: Gather with loved ones around the fire (or a virtual fire) and take turns reading aloud favorite passages or short stories that evoke the magic of winter and Yule.
8. Book Binding or Bookmark Crafting: Make your own bookmarks or try simple bookbinding to create a personalized reading journal. Use seasonal materials like pinecones, holly designs, or winter colors.
9. Winter Solstice Read-a-thon: Dedicate the entire day or evening of the solstice to reading. Choose a stack of books or a single novel and spend the longest night of the year curled up with a good story.
10. Gift Yourself a Special Book: As part of a solstice self-care ritual, treat yourself to a new book that excites you for the coming year. The Cozy Thrill’s cozy book boxes bring your reading experience to the next level with a cozy mystery book and cozy accessories to bring a little “me-time” to your day.
Create your own Winter Solstice bookish traditions with these cozy, literary ideas, perfect for cozying up and bringing a literary touch to the seasonal celebrations.
ABOUT CYNTHIA
I’m Cynthia, a sassy Caribbean-heritage East Coast transplant trying not to shrivel up in the Arizona desert! When I’m not wrangling my hyperactive dogs or raising money for affordable housing, you’ll find me in a dance studio dancing my little heart out, or on my couch reading a cozy mystery book.
I love true crime podcasts and television programs but in a world where the news is never good news, I needed an escape. I read cozy mysteries to escape into a fantasy world where every mystery is wrapped up in a neat bow! Reading this genre brings a sense of warmth, coziness, and happiness.
I created The Cozy Thrill Gift Box to replicate that sense of warmth and bring a little cozy to your reading “me-time” and self-care routine.
