winter book recommedations & warm nights ❄️ winter reading diaries

welcome to the first episode of the winter reading diaries! we're already quite a bit into december but that's because it took me a while to edit this oops! hope to find the time to make more of these videos 💙
mentioned:
‪@leoraaileen‬
‪@BasicallyBrittx‬
🌼 s o c i a l m e d i a
• goodreads: / leonie-dams
• twitter: @thebookleo
• instagram: @thebookleo
• business enquiries: [e-mail]
🌺 a b o u t m e
Hi! My name is Leonie and I am a 25 year old girl who loves talking about books! From YA to non-fiction to classics, I read it all (although fantasy will always be my fave). I live in the Netherlands and go to university, but make booktube videos in my spare time :)
🌹 m u s i c
🎵 Music : Stopped Watch - vio.dio
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[@TheBookLeo]

watch episode 2 of the winter reading diaries: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ_ZooVup6l6bc0

[@yasminechoerryscherry3701]

I loved loved loved this video and I really wish you keep on making these, they're beautifully made, filmed and edited, and the vibes they give are very soothing and cozy, like a hug in the middle of a rainstorm. I live for this type of videos and I really appreciate the effort

[@NomisArchives]

Don't forget the most wholesome winter novel! The Shining written by Stephen King, fun for the whole family. :)

[@isabellehall9217]

Thats the only book on my december tbr pile :)

[@NomisArchives]

@@isabellehall9217 It's such an fantastic novel that's just sad to read.

[@Arawn505]

All work and no books make Leonie something something

[@NomisArchives]

@@Arawn505 something something dull.

[@Arawn505]

@@NomisArchives Haha, yes. In the actual Shining it would make Leonie a dull girl. In the Simpsons parody it would make The Donut Leo go crazy

[@Arawn505]

For anyone wondering: the dish at 3:44 is called lembas, a nutricious, sweet bread made by the Elves of Lothlórien

[@estefizamora]

a wintery/holiday book for me it's Little Women by louisa may alcott, it gives such a cozy vibe to read during this month 💜🤍

[@taylorparis7228]

The Hunger Games Catching Fire book has strong winter vibes until the quell because that takes place in the summer. Katniss often talks about the snow banks towering over hers and Peeta's heads. Half of CF takes place in the winter time. Love to reread it this time of the year

[@emmakgill]

The best wintery book I've ever read is The Starless Sea! There is a lot of imagery of snow and the cold of winter, and I love the lyrical storyline. I've reread it probably 5 times now, lol❄It follows Zachary, a college student, returning to school (in the winter); he is walking through the library one day when he finds a peculiar book. As he starts to read it, he realizes that his story is actually in the book, but it has no definite ending. With the help of Fate, he ends of going on a very incredible journey to a world with lots of books, cats, and mystery. I will never get over the way this book is an ode to storytelling and books in general. Its so good.

[@alieneleni]

my favorite book

[@loisbuchanan5673]

Literally, I have this book on my TBR shelf after loving the Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern and I didn't even really know what it was about before you said this. But a story with snow and cats it's exactly the specific thing I've been craving in a book recently. Thank you!!!

[@emmakgill]

@@loisbuchanan5673 of course! I hope you love it. The Night Circus is on my TBR for January!

[@manoeksbooknook]

It's good that I put the starless sea on my winter TBR then!

[@winterillust]

i think sherlock holmes stories are great for cozy winter eves.

[@luiiiandmovieee]

It's crazy how much I'm looking forward to your videos. Honestly don't worry about the algorithm, I'm sure many of us will watch every video you make ❄❤

[@24studiosbrm]

👍

this was so cozy and wholesome 💙 this is lowkey making me enjoy this time of year more. Also, I was going to recommend The Silvered Serpents for winter book recommendations, but of course you've already read it 🙈 If you want to read a Nutcracker retelling, I would recommend The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork! It's super cozy and wintery

[@24studiosbrm]

🙂

[@AmandaKrutsick]

Six Crimson Cranes has such winter vibes to me! The MC is arranged a marriage and travels to this far-off place she's never been that's covered in snow. There's a winter festival at one point and such vivid worldbuilding around weather and the magic they use there. It has such Studio Ghibli levels of cozy fantasy vibes and I cannot recommend it enough!

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

Literally nothing better than a wintery reading vlog when it's below freezing outside!

[@24studiosbrm]

👏

[@notllikethat]

North Child by Edith Pattou is a fantasy (and romance?) that has a really strong winter feel about a girl who goes on a journey with a polar bear. It also has a castle and magic, so it’s really perfect for winter

[@nonyabizness956]

Honestly The Chronicles of Narnia are a pretty cozy read especially 'The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe' because of course it takes place when the white witch has cursed Narnia with eternal winter.

[@eliza.the.earthling]

Now I need to rewatch Barbie in the Nutcracker 🌰 🐭 👸 ❄️ 💖 🎄 AND Avatar 🔥 🌱 💦 🌬

[@femsfables]

Your reading vlogs are always so cozy and full of good vibes! Thank you for all the work you put into these

[@24studiosbrm]

👏

[@s00005]

Big fan of these vlogs already! super interested in Slewfoot! I’m excited to hear your thoughts. Also thought I’d share my wintery vibes tbr shelf from storygraph for anyone who’s interested. Middle grade: Greenglass House Snow & Rose Moominland Midwinter A Skinful of Shadows Midnight in Everwood The Enchanted Sonata Whichwood A Castle in the Clouds Fantasy: A Winter's Promise The Raven and the Reindeer His Dark Materials Deathless The Wolf and the Woodsman Echo North Assassin's Apprentice Sofi and the Bone Song The night Circus Classics & historical fiction: The Ice Palace Little Women White nights A Christmas Carol The Toymakers Mystery: Rock Paper Scissors

[@zofiabochenska1240]

Moominland midwinter, children book but worth getting to by adults. And it's a very, very winter-centred.

[@emmaopaline]

For this season the perfect book is A Winter's Promise by Christelle Dabos, the first book of the Mirror Visitor saga ❤ There's also the Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork a retelling of the Nutcracker and the Pied Piper. Thanks for this video ❤️

[@mapletea3296]

Stop, I'm reading the second book in the Mirror Visitor series right now, and the next book I am planning to read is the Enchanted sonata lol. It sounds like I am making good choices :))

[@emmaopaline]

@@mapletea3296 The second one is my favorite one of the series 🤗

[@mapletea3296]

@@emmaopaline Ahh! I’m excited, i’m only around 100 pages in ~

[@nikoolion]

I literally take screenshots of your thumbnails and immediately go to them, zoom in and look at every little detail! Your thumbnails are definitely underrated!🥲✨❤️

[@24studiosbrm]

👍

[@lavendergore]

i love these videos, they are so relaxing! also your sweater game is top notch 😘👌🏻

[@mioselee]

I'm happy to see you switching back and forth between Bronte and Woolf. What an elegant journey into classics. A room of one's own is one of my best reads of this year!

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

Although it's a thriller, and I'd say thrillers tend to be thought of as Autumn books, One By One by Ruth Ware definitely fits into the category of wintery books since it's set in the snow

[@viivi4196]

I recently bought the gilded wolves trilogy bc you've been recommending it for a long time and I finally have time to start reading it when the holidays start!

[@curcubeusiiubirea7778]

I have a cute Christmas novel I found from the Recycled book shop in my village. It's called A Gift From Tiffany's

[@beatricelucas385]

I had to work late tonight and this video kept me cozy, warm, and comfy thank you ❤️❤️

[@24studiosbrm]

👍

[@aleesan4791]

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis is always a wintery classic for me!

[@mawley3266]

my only real winter wonderland book is castle in the clouds by Kerstin Gier. I always read it in between christmas and new year’s eve

[@24studiosbrm]

🙂

[@valeriuxe]

I also started reading Jane Eyre about a month ago but I put it off because I was so busy with uni but I agree with all that you said about it. The story reminded me why I love reading. Wuthering Heights would be a perfect read for the holiday when the weather is very windy and dark.

[@olliemercury2016]

In winter season I like to reread "Monday Begins on Saturday" by Strugatsky brothers. Warm tea and a New Year's Eve atmosphere - just perfect)

[@morganmeadowes6861]

I love the kind of Dark Academia Hufflepuff vibe you give off.

[@abbyneal2337]

this vlog was so cozy and lovely, perfect for trying to ignore the fact that the sun sets at 4 pm :)

[@gilmorewitch197]

If you're looking for a cozy winter fairytale, then The Raven and the Reindeer by T. Kingfisher is a way to go. It is the retelling of The Snow Queen! For a short story, I'd recommend The Soldier Prince by Leigh Bardugo which is part of her short-stories collection book The Language of Thorns. And it is The Nutcracker retelling!!!

[@majaw3671]

Omg those were my exact feelings towards Jane Eyre! Took me so long to read but I loved every second. One of my all time favorite classics.

[@clairerenee7893]

I highly recommend Salt to the Sea by Ruta Septys for a winter WWII novel and Castle in the Clouds by Kirsten Gier for a wholesome winter romance. Also Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie for a cozy Christmas murder mystery.

[@zofiabochenska1240]

Yess, salt to the sea! It's super sad (especially when you spoil it to yourself, by learning about Wilhelm Gustloff first) but it's so beautiful.

[@FaeryLaume]

I just finished reading Hercule Poirot's Christmas and it was great.

[@tildefebe]

i loveee these types of videos!!

[@nate7081]

I would recommend The Left Hand of Darkness as a winter read for fans of sci-fi. It takes place on a planet during an ice age! I didn’t love it personally but if you like slow sci-fi about exploration and diplomacy, I bet you will enjoy it.

[@gabriellaoliveira9833]

Maybe it’s not a wonderland, but “The Left Hand of Darkness” by Ursula K Le Guin definitely screams winter, and it’s very thought-provoking too! Highly recommend it.

[@marisophi]

one of my faves!

[@notcreativeenough3497]

I don’t know if you’ve ever read the Caraval series (I’m pretty new to your channel) but if you haven’t, I highly recommend it. It’s one of my favourites and I finished it in about 5 days. It’s a good fantasy story that is really easy to read through fast.

[@natasamladenovic8837]

I read Jane Eyre in my teen years and I'm glad that I did. That was the starting point of my way through the rabbit hole of books from all of the sisters Bronte and Jane Austen...

[@goddessnix444]

absolutely loved this vlog.

[@Barjavelle131]

Loved the vlog and big thumb up to your books choice! I'm going to recommend the Mirror Visitor series (4 books), "La Passe-Miroir" originally, made-in-France 🌟I may have outgrowned it a bit? But coming from someone who doesn't read (or maybe didn't) a lot of fantasy it really was an impactful read in high school. For the winter feel special mention to the 2 first volumes : A Winter's promise and The Missing of Clairdelune

[@dvckduckgoose]

OMG the Leo's together

[@helenaharris5919]

I will recommend The Wolf Wilder which has such good winter vibes, it's awesome 👍

[@hopey769]

The Language of Thorns (and especially The Witch of Duva) by Leigh Bardugo is perfect for this time of year ❤️✨

[@kackaavrt]

This has to be one of my favourite videos right now! The atmosphere you created is incredible, I love the cozy christmasy feeling and now I just want to create, read and decorate my own room.. thank you for this masterpiece! 🥰 Also the only English book with Christmas themes and maybe even the atmosphere, I can't really remember, that I can this of is Christmas Carol by Ch. Dickens

[@24studiosbrm]

👍

[@fallisdying2077]

The intro is so cute!

[@inesmdosantos]

cannot put into words how wholesome this is!! I'm so excited for the other episodes, you're genuinely the coziest person to ever exist on youtube. 🏹💗

[@vetlehove5650]

Thank you for another great video! I’m an exchange student in Utrecht at the moment, and being able to follow a Dutch book tuber means a lot for feeling at home here ❤️

[@em._.345]

such a beautiful vlog!!!

[@jaynemarie81]

Did you not know that being cool and a big nerd are synonymous? 😄 Hello, by the way, it has been a joy to discover your channel 🙂

[@AkaHeiwa]

Super cozy and very good idea to enjoy the season and get inspiration!! :)

[@melodyk508]

For me personally, winter is the time i read most thrillers or stories that have a gothic vibe to it. I do however have some wintery recommendations: "The Great Alone" by Kristen Hannah. "In Five Years" by Rebecca Serle. "Villette" by Charlotte Brontë.

[@safety_meadow]

I wanna recommend read in winter "Castle in the clouds" by Kerstin Gier. it may be silly and simple sometimes, but it still keeps me interested and fully immersed by the story. thank you for your videos ☺️

[@meganhauck89]

beautiful vlog - loved it!

[@mishelly]

Yaasss Jane Eyre is amazing!!! So glad you love it

[@Zivilin]

I think the only book series i have with a wintery snow vibe is the Icewind Dale trilogy. 🤔

[@AnnaBeth221b]

Down Comes the Night by Allison Saft is very wintery. Also, it's a fantasy gothic romance.

[@leoraaileen]

Ahhhh so excited for this ❤

[@leoraaileen]

also I’m obsessed with your nutcracker

[@viivi4196]

I loved the vibe in this video so much and I'm really looking forward to more wintery vibe videos! as always, really appreciate the effort

[@Edareadsbooks]

‘Midnight in Everwood’ is a Nutcracker retelling and perfect if you’re looking for books with wintery vibes!

[@laura_B24]

I think it's so fun two of my favorite book youtubers are both dutch because I am too

[@FaeryLaume]

I love your little light up houses. I could list a ridiculous number of novels with snowy, wintry settings, but I'll try not to over do it. A book I used to read every December is In the Land of Winter by Richard Grant. It's a bit of a woman coming into her power to help save her child, set around a somewhat contemporary holiday season. Winterwood by Shea Earnshaw is a YA book set in a magical forest where everyone is snowed in. It's big on atmosphere. I'm not much of an audio book listener but I adored the audio book of The Way Back by Gavriel Savit, which is based on Jewish folklore. Although it's not all set in winter, there are some important wintry scenes in Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke. If you want more of a ... not sci fi, but not traditional fantasy either, I enjoyed The Girl and the Stars by Mark Lawrence, set in world where it's always icy winter. Based on the the fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon is the YA novel East by Edith Pattou. Girls Made of Snow and Glass is a bit of a feminist flip on Snow White. And Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin is just the sweetest illustrated story I can think of. I could go on, but perhaps I should save some books for other to recommend. LOL

[@lauraw.2837]

i just absolutely adore your vlogs❤

[@Alyssa-nb7lo]

I'm so glad you're enjoying Jane Eyre, it's one of my favorites 😊 I haven't read many wintery books either, but I love The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork. It's a cute middle grade retelling of the Nutcracker and is perfect for Christmas 🎄

[@ejderhaz]

Howl earrings 💚❤️

[@fortress6721]

Omg Killing November is one of my favourite books of all time!! I can't wait to see what u think ahhh

[@24studiosbrm]

Killing November 🙂💯

[@mistertulney3291]

Barbie and the Nutracker is my fave barbie movie

[@SabinesBookNook]

I just made an orange garland and omg it looks so cute & atmospheric, you absolutely need to make it! And I feel like The Poppy War is kind of perfect for fans of Mulan & Avatar The Last Airbender, so maybe you should give that one a go 😝

[@celinajohnson18]

Yay!! In love with your reading vlogs. And this is coziness x10! Exactly what I needed😍Not to mention I’ve already binged the rest of your content😅

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

The bakery item looks so yummy 👀

[@24studiosbrm]

🙂

[@vitareads]

Horror fans should check out NOS4A2 by Joe Hill. Great Christmas book :)

[@lauraw.2837]

The novel by E.T.A. Hoffmann was first but how dare you recommend this😂

[@tekitus1]

Video on a Friday? Incredible!

[@24studiosbrm]

👏

[@rachaeldiviney712]

2 wintery books I'm going to read this year are elatsoe and the ice Palace

[@thesmellof_cinnamon2521]

The Girl Who Speaks Bear is also a cozy, light book for winter! ❄

[@hegaukatze1599]

After ATLA try W.I.T.C.H. It's a comic and cartoon/anime with five girls who can use the elements too💫🔥💧🌱🌬

[@catthedoodlecatcher628]

This was so cozy and warm, thank you!

[@24studiosbrm]

👍

[@nikkstaaar]

Adored this video so much! Felt like we were friends hanging out on the weekend 😌

[@lydiau0107]

I adore Spinning Silver ❤ I was absolutely going to recommend the Winternight trilogy until you mentioned it! It’s a shame it wasn’t for you, but I do understand what you mean about it having a birds’s eye view feel

[@jodijodijodi]

for anyone reading this my cozy, by the fire rec is the winter collection the editors of the poetry foundation website put together on their website. it features both new and old writers and is perfect if you don’t want to commit to just one author / anthology and just need something atmospheric. if you’re not feeling a certain poem you can just go onto the next one. web tab directions: poetry foundation > poems and poets > collections (the second post down)

[@august8200]

the starless sea is an amazing book to read in winter!! the imagery, the vibes, absolute perfection. i hope you get to it this winter

[@briannabythebooks]

Such cozy vibes! For people who like middle grade I think Greenglass House is a great wintery read.

[@sophieriri2063]

I'm gonna see the nutcracker in ballett one day before christmas ☺

[@Fiona_Co]

For a fun wintry middle grade I recommend Greenglass House by Kate Milford! It takes place on Christmas Eve and it’s very cute and fun

[@femkelucas4799]

Ik vind het super leuk dat je soms ook stukjes in het Nederlands praat (vandaar ook de Nederlandse reactie ;)). Ik ben weg van je video's! PS Ik ben super benieuwd waar je de kaars vandaan hebt!

[@hslotfan]

this is so lovely ! your channel is always so seasonal

[@TLBainter]

Leo: "Tuesday" Me: ? Leo: "Four days before the weekend" Me: ahh, yes!

[@ShirleySenpei]

I love avatar the last Airbender too. Thank you for the book recommendations. The nutcracker I read recently I loved it. I personally love winter fairytales I love Het meisje met de zwavelstokjes super sad but I still love to read it every winter. Also Narnia gives me winter vibes.

[@kateriewing]

Smilla’s Sense of Snow… pretty great winter read :)

[@unimooney]

this is my favourite video you’ve ever made

[@lilacleg3nd]

bae wake up leonie posted

[@thonyadams]

Well, just cool vibe, dank je wel

[@gabsalvas6975]

Loving your vibe, im really happy you appeared on my recommended lately. I dont *think* we have the same book tastes but *vibes*.... 100%

[@24studiosbrm]

👏

[@JessicaNicoleDickerson]

Have you read Girls Made of Snow and Glass? Sapphic, villain origin story and solid winter vibes✨ Highly recommend!

[@teodoras9611]

Best episode of Avatar: book 2, episode 9 Bitter work Ugh >.< So wise hahah

[@orsettomorbido]

The Nutcracker and the Mous King is from 1816, the ballet is from 1892!

[@michaelsommers2356]

Tchaikovsky was born almost twenty years after Hoffmann died, so I think it likely that Hoffmann's work came first. But I could be wrong.

[@merula5979]

Love the vibes🕯 Wintery because it's literally on an ice planet: The left hand of Darkness by Ursula k le guin. I also love the Tiffany Aching series from Terry Pratchett. It's got the witchy vibes and the third book is called the Wintersmith where Winter itself falls in love with her and can't stop making snowflakes in the shape of her face. It's a series for children but so fun!

[@fearthelight.5766]

"Wintersong" is absolutely perfect for this season. It's a fantasy story based on German folklore, and it feels very fever dreamy and atmospheric - there's also fae (or goblins, but i promise you it's not the green ones that look like Dobby), a romance, beautiful lyrical writing and one of the main themes is music

[@kimberlytalley]

Brom’s Slewfoot, just yes - for sure was one of my favorite books this year. Historical fiction, witchcraft, magic, folklore, good and evil, hero and villain, and dare I say a bit of a love story. Dark yet beautiful - as is the artwork included within. Love to hear what you think. I’m a new subscriber from California - enjoying your content. Happy holidays!