Pacific Northwest winters are notoriously gloomy, but you don’t have to skip town to find sunnier days. The right book can whisk you from a Seattle downpour to a European beach.
But don’t let the idyllic weather in these books fool you — sweeping battles, tumultuous romances and explosive secrets lie ahead. Choose your paradise and ditch the Big Dark.
“Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Strong-willed Noemí receives a letter from her newly married cousin, Catalina, begging for her to visit High Place, her new in-laws’ family stronghold in the Mexican countryside. Noemí finds High Place distant, isolated and unsettling — a house wrapped in generations of secrets.
Even more uncanny is the Doyle family, transplants from England lured by the promise of silver. Catalina’s husband is alluring but terrifying, and Francis, the youngest son, gives every appearance of being an ally but may know too much.
Moreno-Garcia’s writing is lush and atmospheric, rich in sensory detail. The pacing is leisurely enough to suit the hot climate, but the pages fly by as the secret of High Place unravels.
“A Year in Provence” by Peter Mayle
You may have caught the miniseries that aired in the ’90s, but don’t skip the book — it’s a perfect antidote to the depths of winter gloom. In this now-classic memoir, Mayle and his wife purchase a 200-year-old French farmhouse and spend the seasons repairing their home, exploring the French countryside and, of course, eating delicious French food.
Mayle is the central voice, yet the cast of supporting characters steals the show time after time. Faustin, his big-hearted neighbor with an encyclopedic knowledge of farming, and their crew of workmen, including Didier the mason and Monsieur Menicucci the plumber/philosopher, become part of the family as repairs drag on.
And then there’s the food! Succulent descriptions of leisurely French meals and sun-drenched Provençal summers will have you booking a summer flight ASAP.
“A Shore Thing” by Joanna Lowell
Kit and Muriel meet through art and bicycles and spark an undeniable connection. Kit is building a new life in Cornwall, living as his authentic self for the first time and trying to figure out how to move forward after his painting talents desert him. Muriel, a widow and plant nerd, tracks Kit down to illustrate a book about British seaweeds and won’t take no for an answer.
They hash out a deal that involves a multiday competition to prove that women can cycle just as well as men. Kit and Muriel’s banter as they ride is delightful. Their relationship is sweet, while also illuminating the experiences of historical trans and sapphic people. This Victorian-era cozy queer romance set near the English seaside will brighten any cold winter night.
“The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye” by Briony Cameron
Let warm Caribbean breezes sweep you into this swashbuckling tale of female pirates. Jacquotte Delahaye begins as a promising shipwright in 17th-century Santo Domingo. Fleeing her home after her father is killed, she finds herself on a ship captured by pirates. Jacquotte becomes an indentured servant to the pirate band, and later a pirate herself.
This is an adventure story first, but Jacquotte’s romance with a woman named Teresa adds tenderness to the plot. The novel is based on stories about Jacquotte, who may or may not have been a real person. Ponder the mystery while you read, but you’ll likely be so swept up in the action, you won’t care if Jacquotte is fact or fiction.
“Just for the Summer” by Abby Jimenez
Justin’s “curse” ends up on a Reddit thread, and now the whole internet knows that every woman he breaks up with goes on to find the love of her life. Emma is in the same boat, so the two of them hatch a plan — date just for the summer, in the hopes that their planned breakup will lead to happily ever after.
Justin and Emma will win you over with sharp, laugh-out-loud banter, and their chemistry is perfect for devotees of the fake romance trope. The lakeside cottage setting adds to the delight of this summer charmer.
Visit your local library to pick up your warm-weather portal of choice. You can even plan your next read with personalized suggestions from a librarian. Share your likes and dislikes and receive a custom reading list, all from the Sno-Isle Libraries website. Before you know it, the days will be as long as your must-read list.