Recently Released Books to Read in the Dark Wintry Nights

Not sure about you but we think there's a perk to the days getting shorter and colder: reading time. In summer you're socially compelled to be outside... with people... enjoying nature. However, when it's dark before you finish work and you need three pairs of gloves to leave the house, you get a free pass.

So what are you going to read while snuggled inside? We've got some recent releases for you to read while hiding away from the cold and wet. Winter is great with a new book, cozy blanket, and hot drink.

Artemis – Andy Weir

Does anyone else check their Mars news for accuracy against The Martian? Sure we're ten years from humans on Mars, but that book was real, right? Andy Weir's new book uses the same scientific base but tells the story of Jazz Bashara, a criminal in the expensive city of Artemis. Did we mention that Artemis is on the moon? Jazz took the opportunity to commit a lucrative crime and stumbled into a conspiracy for control of Artemis.

La Belle Sauvage – Philip Pullman

We return to the parallel world of dæmons and dust in Philip Pullman's new novel (and the start of a new series). Previously his books have caused a little confusion with the names (The Northern Lights and the Golden Compass), and it's likely to happen here too with the series title being larger than the book title on the premiere cover. La Belle Sauvage (first in The Book of Dust series) is where we meet baby Lyra and Pantalaimon. New children, Malcolm and Alice, become their protectors after a flood. Returning characters include Lyra's father Lord Asriel and mother, Mrs. Coulter. Drama ensues.

Hit Refresh – Satya Nadella

A slew of non-fiction titles have hit the shelves recently with You Can't Spell America Without Me (Alec Baldwin and Kurt Andersen) and Promise Me, Dad by Joe Biden being particularly popular. However, we've gone for Hit Refresh by Microsoft C.E.O. Satya Nadella. It's part memoir, part business and career advice, and part company report. Satya describes the transformation happening inside Microsoft and how people and companies must "hit refresh" to get the most of the artificial intelligence, mixed reality, and quantum computing that's now our every day.

Wonder Woman - Greg Rucka and Liam Sharp

Wonder Woman is back and taking on the Godwatch. They're possibly her greatest enemies and have been waiting for a chance to strike since she arrived. This is a parallel story to The Truth, adding more to how Diana handles being a god on Earth to protect us. Girl power in a graphic novel!

Here We Are – Oliver Jeffers

The author of How To Catch a Star wrote a book for his newborn son and shared it with us all. Here We Are is Oliver Jeffers introducing his son to the world. Here's the sky (it gets pretty complicated). Here are the animals. Oliver ends with reminding his son that we only have one Earth, so we need to look after it and be kind to everyone. The illustrations are beautiful and the story sweet. While written for a newborn, it's more for 5-7-year-olds with a perfect lesson for us all.

Wish You Were Mine – Tara Sivec

What do you do when you're in love with your childhood best friend but convinced you're not good enough? Tara Sivec explores precisely that in her long-awaited new novel. Cameron and Everett have secretly loved each other since they were 12 years old, but both thought it was unrequited. Then years later Everett receives a letter asking him to come home.

Heather, the Totality – Matthew Weiner

Matthew Weiner&endash;Mad Men creator&endash;has published his first novella. Heather, the Totality is the story of the Breakstone family's perfect Manhattan life. Luxury home, successful careers, beautiful daughter, Heather. They had it all. However, on the other side of town, Bobby grew up in poverty and violence. When it comes together, the Breakstone's perfect life starts to crumble.

Now, where's that tea and blanky? We have some reading to do.

Read more by Bianca Smith