10 Brilliant Book Recommendations to Enjoy by the Fireplace

It’s a familiar picture. Someone curled up by the fireplace with a warm cup of tea (or coffee), immersed in a novel while wrapped up in a fleece blanket, evoking memories of hearth and home. It may seem straight out of a movie, but with the right fireplace setting and book, it could quickly become a reality for you this winter.

First things first, you’ll need to create the centerpiece of the setting, the perfect fire. For a picturesque fire with dancing flames, we’d recommend using gas logs over real wood. With the light of a match, your fire is all set, and it won’t require the cleanup of any messy ashes. Gas log sets are also the most inexpensive way to enjoy a fireplace because the primary cost is the purchase and installation, compared to the ongoing cost of firewood.

Another important things to remember is safety first. Nothing catches fire more quickly than paper, so make sure your always standing outside the fire by investing in a fireplace screen. This will deliver all of the warmth with much less of the risk.

Now to the reads. We’ve compiled a sampling of recommended books from NPR’s Guide to 2015's Great Reads and a few of our own, and think you’ll find yourself trading your Netflix for a Nook in no time. 

1. “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins
2. “All the Light We Cannot See: A Novel” by Anthony Doerr
3. “Secrets of State” by Matthew Palmer
4. “Tiny Little Thing” by Beatriz Williams
5. “The Crossing” by Michael Connelly
6. “The Cartel” by Don Winslow
7. “Girl in the Dark” by Anna Lyndsey
8. “The Wright Brothers” by David McCullough
9. “Fearless: The Undaunted Courage and Ultimate Sacrifice of Navy SEAL Team SIX Operator Adam Brown” by Eric Blehm
10. “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara