Winter Reading List
Ten Books to Settle Into at Camp or at home
There’s something deeply satisfying about a good book on holiday—especially in the hush of winter, where slow mornings and early dusks invite a slower rhythm. Whether you're sitting under a tree with a mug of coffee or curled up in the shade after lunch, these ten books pair beautifully with the pace and peace of a stay at camp.
We’ve chosen titles that are thoughtful but not heavy, smart but not showy—books that linger in your mind without demanding too much of your holiday brain. Many are award-winners or quiet cult favourites. All are perfectly suited to long afternoons, good conversations, and the luxury of uninterrupted time.
1. Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
For: The reflective reader who enjoys rich, spiritual writing.
About: An aging pastor writes a letter to his young son, weaving together memories, theology, and fatherly advice.
Goodreads score: 4.1
Why it works at camp: Gentle, luminous prose and deep emotional undercurrents—perfect for quiet mornings on the deck.
2. Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
For: The minimalist who likes their fiction short and perfectly formed.
About: A quiet man in 1980s Ireland makes a moral stand during Christmas.
Goodreads score: 4.3
Why it works at camp: You can read it in one sitting—then sit still with the echoes of it for days.
3. The Sea by John Banville
For: Lovers of poetic language and melancholic beauty.
About: A man returns to a seaside town to reflect on love, loss, and memory.
Goodreads score: 3.7
Why it works at camp: The tide-like rhythm of Banville’s prose feels just right by the ocean.
4. Outline by Rachel Cusk
For: The observant, philosophical guest who likes people-watching.
About: A woman travels to Athens and listens—really listens—to the stories of others.
Goodreads score: 3.8
Why it works at camp: Quiet, sharp, and full of insight—like the best conversations over sundowners.
5. The Midnight Line by Lee Child
For: Fans of gripping thrillers and clever, no-nonsense heroes.
About: Jack Reacher finds a West Point class ring in a pawn shop and follows a breadcrumb trail through America’s underbelly to return it to its rightful owner.
Goodreads score: 4.1
Why it works at camp: It’s a satisfying, fast-paced read with enough depth to keep it meaningful—perfect for lazy afternoons or fireside evenings when you want a little intrigue.
6. The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso
For: Readers who enjoy quiet wit, neighbourly tension, and redemptive storytelling.
About: Two elderly women—one black, one white—live side by side in a wealthy Cape Town suburb, bound by decades of disdain and unexpected connection.
Goodreads score: 3.7
Why it works at camp: Lightly satirical but heartfelt, this novel is both reflective and uplifting—the kind of book that invites conversation under the stars.
7. Stoner by John Williams
For: The slow reader who loves a quiet character study.
About: A humble academic lives an ordinary life, unnoticed by history but rich in meaning.
Goodreads score: 4.2
Why it works at camp: Understated brilliance—like camp itself, it reveals its beauty slowly.
8. The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
For: Thoughtful readers seeking honesty and grace in grief.
About: Didion’s memoir of love, loss, and memory following the death of her husband.
Goodreads score: 4.1
Why it works at camp: A deeply moving companion on days when solitude feels generous.
9. The Promise by Damon Galgut
For: Those curious about South Africa’s past and present.
About: A farm, a family, and the promises made—and broken—across decades.
Goodreads score: 3.9
Why it works at camp: It’s sharp, South African, and compelling—an ideal fireside conversation starter.
10. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
For: Readers who like a mix of charm, feminism, and plot-driven fun.
About: A brilliant woman in the 1960s defies social norms and becomes a TV cooking sensation.
Goodreads score: 4.3
Why it works at camp: Uplifting, engaging, and just quirky enough to keep the pages turning.
There’s a certain kind of joy in reading on holiday: the freedom to read slowly or all day long, to finish a book and pass it to someone else, or to abandon one in favour of a better fit. These ten reads are our winter companions—quietly brilliant, generous with insight, and always better with a cup of something warm and a view of the bush.
Let us know what you're reading when you visit—we love book talk.