The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Whether you’re a winter lover or one of those currently crying for summer, no one can deny that this weather requires special treatment. A cup of steaming hot cocoa, wrapped in a warm blanket with a cosy book is the ideal way to either celebrate or deal with the colder months, which is why we’re recommending four books that’ll sweep you away. Spoiler: there’s something for everyone!

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

We can imagine Russians laughing at our complaints of the cold, but we’re sure they wouldn’t mind if we borrow their folklore for some comfort! The Bear and the Nightingale is a historical fantasy set at the edge of the wilderness in medieval Russia with a main character who can speak to mythological creatures. With stunning prose, fairytale-ish, and a complex, introspective plot, this novel makes the perfect winter read.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

If fantasy isn’t your thing, A Gentleman in Moscow lays more on the realistic fiction side of books. The novel is set in 1920s Moscow and revolves around a fictional count who’s deemed guilty by a Bolshevik body. Subsequently, he gets a lifetime sentence of house arrest in a luxury hotel, and while he’s locked inside, Russia goes through some of its most turbulent decades right outside. Inside, the character absorbs all of it while delving into a profound emotional journey only this strange prison could allow. Especially relatable due to the lockdown period we all remember so well (and might even enter another era of soon!)

Macbeth by Shakespeare

One of Shakespeare’s best tragedies, if you’ve not read it yet, now is the time! The gloom and doom wrapped around the story are a perfect match for the winter’s cold night. Respected general, Macbeth, receives a prophecy from three witches foretelling his future as the king of Scotland. In the question of the ages, fate, or free will, Macbeth, urged by his wife, takes matters into his own hands and, alongside his wife, spirals into a labyrinth of paranoia and madness, leading to the violently tragic end of the play.

The Appeal by Janice Hallett

It’s a mistruth that readers are merely passive observers in any book, no matter what it is. But that is particularly untrue here. The Appeal is a murder mystery set in a small town full of secrets and suspects. The investigator here is the reader. You’ll have the documents, writings, texts, and letters, and are expected to dig out the truth yourself. Tip: don’t expect a traditional format by any means. But we won’t spoil anymore!