Winter Reads with Project Gutenberg

This collection of books and short stories contains recommendations perfect for cold weather and the holiday season. They are accessible through Project Gutenberg, a library of over 60,000 free eBooks in the public domain. You can read more about Project Gutenberg here, and browse their bookshelves to find more great titles! See below to explore titles to enjoy while trying to stay warm this winter!

The Gift of the Magi

This short story, published in 1905, tells of a couple who need to buy gifts for each other but must make sacrifices to find the perfect gift. The Gift of the Magi teaches a great lesson about gift-giving and is a valuable story to read or reread during the holiday season.

Winter Sports in Switzerland

This illustrated book from 1913 has chapters on tobogganing, skiing, skating, hockey, and more. It describes Swedish traditions and culture and provides insight into sports and life in 20th-century Switzerland.

King Winter

In this story, King Winter, the embodiment of the Christmas Spirit, leaves his palace of snow to bring winter to the land and reward obedient children with holiday sweets (Library of Congress). King Winter is a rare German children’s story from the 19th century inspired by a character from Germanic and Norse traditions.

Little Women

Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women follows four sisters throughout their lives. Pivotal scenes occur during Christmastime, and the descriptions of winter in New England make this a festive read for snow days.

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a well-known holiday classic about a businessman who changes his attitude about Christmas after being visited by a host of spirits. Dickens’ story has been adapted many times for the stage and film, but it is worth reading the original material to know where the text came from!