{"id":17802,"date":"2025-01-10T17:17:04","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T14:17:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/railsware.com\/blog\/?p=17802"},"modified":"2025-01-17T18:03:42","modified_gmt":"2025-01-17T15:03:42","slug":"railsware-recommended-reads-winter-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/railsware.com\/blog\/railsware-recommended-reads-winter-edition\/","title":{"rendered":"Railsware Recommended Reads: Winter Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The holiday season may be over, but cold winter evenings are not. That’s why we’ve decided to step away from the classic “Festive Reading list” and instead asked Railswarians which books were setting up their wintery vibes. At the end of the day, the winter atmosphere is not created solely by Christmas decorations. While we get to enjoy winter a few weeks more, it’s a good opportunity to make the most of it by discovering a book that perfectly matches your mood. Hope you’ll find one on our list!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In My Brilliant Friend<\/em><\/a>, Elena Ferrante masterfully chronicles the intense friendship between Elena and Lila, two girls growing up in a vibrant yet volatile neighborhood of 1950s Naples. The story follows their intertwined lives from childhood, where their fierce academic rivalry blossoms into a complex bond that will define them both. Through Elena’s eyes, we witness their diverging paths set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Italian society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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My Brilliant Friend<\/em> by Elena Ferrante is the first book in the Neapolitan Novels<\/em> series. It tells the story of two best friends, Lenu and Lila, and their complex relationships, competition, need for support from each other, and finding their own path in life. The book explores gender, male-female relationships, self-perception, and personal growth, all shaped by the historical, cultural, and generational challenges rooted in the poverty of Naples’ working-class districts. The feelings and thoughts of the main narrative character are so vivid and real that you don\u2019t want to stop exploring this story. I\u2019m now reading the second book in the series. It’s even more captivating as it tells us more about Lenu and Lila as they grow older, face new challenges, and make more mature choices.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Mariia Shcherbyna <\/p>\n \n

\n Marketing Manager <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry<\/em><\/a> unfolds in a quaint bookstore on Alice Island, where a grief-stricken bookseller’s life changes forever with an unexpected delivery. Once passionate about literature, A.J. Fikry has retreated into himself since losing his beloved wife, wielding his literary opinions like armor and finding comfort only in the rare books that line his shelves. But fate has other plans for A.J. Through unexpected friendships and second chances, he discovers that sometimes the most meaningful stories are the ones we never planned to read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gabrielle Zevin\u2019s special style of writing is something I think all people should experience. The Storied Life<\/em> of A.J. Fikry is a book about books that takes place on a remote island. You\u2019ll encounter heartache, a touch of humor, a dash of romance, and the thrill of solving a mystery as you read. Furthermore, A.J.\u2019s discerning taste in quality literature is truly impressive, offering you the chance to discover some excellent book recommendations along the way. What could give you a better sense of the book than its own words? Here are a few quotes for you to explore: \u201cMost people\u2019s problems would be solved if they would only give more things a chance.\u201d \u201cThe [book]store is fifteen Mayas wide and twenty Mayas long. She knows this because she once spent an afternoon measuring it by laying her body across the room. It is fortunate that it is not more than thirty Mayas long because that is as far as she could count on the day the measurements were taken<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Olia Ududiak <\/p>\n \n

\n Head of People <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

Ice by Jacek Dukaj<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In Ice<\/em><\/a>, Jacek Dukaj crafts an alternate-history masterpiece where a mysterious force freezes some parts of Europe in eternal winter. The story follows Benedykt Gieros\u0142awski, a mathematician sent on a perilous railway journey through the frozen wastes. The novel delves deep into questions of logic, mathematics, and the nature of reality as Benedykt confronts a world where cold literally crystallizes truth and changes the fundamental laws of physics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Many know Polish fantasy thanks to Sapkowski\u2019s Witcher. Fewer know that Polish sci-fi is no less stunning (if you haven\u2019t read Stanis\u0142aw Lem, of course). Jacek Dukai proves again that Central and Eastern European authors can create captivating narratives and complex stories that are no less worthy of Hollywood or Netflix adaptations. The very title of Dukaj\u2019s Ice<\/em> (L\u00f3d) suggests it\u2019s a perfect winter read. And this massive (literally, it\u2019s two rather thick volumes) book covers you like a heavy duvet. But be warned \u2013 that\u2019s not an easy read. The author enjoys playing with your mind and depicts the world with alternative physics and logic. The setting (the 1920s in the alternative history) has this cozy steampunk-ish (or should I call it icepunk?) vibes, with the cabaret flavor of smoking\/drinking\/gambling and House of Cards-style political games. By the way, one of the protagonists is Nicholas Tesla. P.S. Only after having written this review did I find no English translation (yet) \u2013 just Ukrainian, Bulgarian, and Czech ones. So, why not learn Ukrainian or Polish for this? \ud83e\udd13<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Stas Sokolov <\/p>\n \n

\n PR Lead <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

The Upside of Stress by Kelly McGonigal <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In The<\/em> Upside of Stress<\/em><\/a>, Kelly McGonigal challenges our traditional views of stress as the enemy, presenting research that reveals how stress can actually enhance our lives when understood and embraced. Through compelling scientific insights and personal stories, she guides readers to recognize stress not as a threat. Instead, she offers to perceive it as a natural response that can fuel personal growth and deeper connections. The book weaves together cutting-edge science, practical exercises, and transformative perspectives, showing readers how to harness stress for greater strength, focus, and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Upside of Stress<\/em> brings up some interesting points, many of which you\u2019ve probably seen in people around you. Stress isn\u2019t always harmful, and it doesn\u2019t automatically lead to health problems or shorten your life. The key is knowing why you’re stressed. If you are stressed, then you are not indifferent. And how you respond to stress is actually Your Choice. When you have a clear purpose, stress can actually work for you, not against you. It\u2019s about how you see it and use it, rather than just trying to avoid or escape it. It may not be a fit for blanket and cocoa, but it’s a good read and goes really great as an audio book.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Aleksandr Kunin <\/p>\n \n

\n Full Stack Engineer <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In I Have Some Questions for You<\/em><\/a>, Rebecca Makkai crafts a gripping narrative that follows Bodie Kane, a successful podcaster and film professor, as she returns to her elite New Hampshire boarding school to teach a short course. The return to Granby School forces her to confront the unsolved murder of her former roommate Thalia Keith in 1995. Through Bodie’s perspective, Makkai explores themes of memory, justice, and the ways we reexamine the past through a modern lens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This book is very wintery, with strong dark academia vibes and an absorbing plot. It may be especially interesting for those who find guilty pleasure in true crime content. I like the \u2018unreliable narrator\u2019 approach, and here it matches so well with the exploration of the reliability of memory. Also, the author examines imperfections of criminal investigations, the impact of true crime content and how harmful it may be for the victims of described events. While I\u2019d prefer another ending (a more well-thought-out one that would give a feeling of closure), I still think that this book is worth reading.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Uliana Tereshchenko <\/p>\n \n

\n People Operations Specialist <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Thirteenth Tale<\/em> <\/a>by Diane Setterfield is a gothic mystery that unites reclusive author Vida Winter and biographer Margaret Lea in uncovering a long-buried story. Vida\u2019s haunting tale of a crumbling Yorkshire mansion, tragic twins, and family secrets forces Margaret to confront her own hidden past. As truth and fiction intertwine, the novel explores themes of identity, memory, and the enduring power of storytelling. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Thirteenth Tale<\/span><\/i> is a beautifully written novel that pulled me in with its mysterious atmosphere. I loved the twists and turns of the story, and how the secrets of Vida Winter\u2019s life slowly unraveled. It felt like stepping into an old English classic, with just the right mix of suspense, family drama, and literary charm.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Veronika Tamaio Flores <\/p>\n \n

\n Product Lead <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

Will and Testament by Vigdis Hjorth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Will and Testament<\/a> by Vigdis Hjorth is a gripping exploration of family dynamics, memory, and the scars of the past. When Bergljot, estranged from her family, learns she has been excluded from her parents’ inheritance, long-buried tensions and traumatic secrets resurface. As she confronts the truth about her childhood and her family\u2019s denial, the novel delves into the complexities of grief, loyalty, and justice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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If you\u2019re looking for a compelling and emotionally charged read, Will and Testament<\/em> is an excellent choice. Vigdis Hjorth masterfully delves into family dynamics, legacy, and the blurred lines of truth, crafting a story that feels both intimate and universal. It\u2019s a novel that will challenge your perspective and linger in your thoughts.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Stevan Savic <\/p>\n \n

\n Link Building and Outreach Specialist <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The Great Alone<\/a><\/em> by Kristin Hannah is a gripping novel set in the untamed nature of 1970s Alaska. It tells the story of Leni Allbright, a teenage girl navigating her family’s tumultuous life after her father, a troubled Vietnam War veteran, impulsively moves them to an isolated homestead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I recently read The Great Alone<\/em><\/a> and I\u2019m still thinking about it. The author created something special here \u2014 a story about survival, community, and hope set against Alaska\u2019s 1970s wilderness. The way she writes about Leni and her parents is both raw and beautiful. It\u2019s one of those books that pulls you in and stays with you long after you\u2019ve finished. Definitely a must-read!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n

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\n Leonie Lacey <\/p>\n \n

\n Technical Content Writer <\/p>\n \n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

Wrapping up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

From frozen alternate realities to heartwarming bookstore tales, our Railswarians’ reading picks offer something for every mood and preference. It proves that winter reading isn’t just about holiday themes. It’s about finding stories that resonate with the contemplative nature of the season, whether you’re seeking comfort or intellectual adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good book can add a spark of joy even into the most gloomy day, so we hope that you\u2019ve enjoyed recommendations from our team. We\u2019ll be back soon with a Spring selection of books, but for now \u2014 let the remaining winter time be filled with great stories.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n More book selections from us<\/span>\n \n