Snowbound Stories

Jada Lin, Reporter

January 16, 2026

Have you checked the weather app recently? In a few days’ time, it might be too icy to drive to school, snow might cover Memphis in a white blanket and we might all be stuck at home with almost nothing to do. To prevent a day of escaping into your social media feed or doing loads of homework, check one (or more!) of the following books that are perfect for reading during a snow day out from the library before we go on break!

Books with Literal Snow

You crave the cold...

If you’re looking for a book to mirror the snow day we’ll probably have, the following books hit that mark. Whether it’s a land cursed with winter, trudging through the cold to freedom or emotional scenes in the snow, these books will allow you to match the mood on wintry snow days.
“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis

Through a magic wardrobe in the Professor’s house, the Pevensie siblings discover the magical kingdom of Narnia covered in snow, thanks to the White Witch’s spell. With the help of Aslan, the lion king of Narnia, and other creatures, the Pevensies must find a way to defeat the White Witch and save the kingdom. Although both the movie and book tell a heart-warming story about thawing a land filled with evil, the book is, as always, better, so even if you’ve watched the movie before, the original novel is perfect for a quick read.
“Salt to the Sea” by Ruta Sepetys

Set in the final winter months of World War II, “Salt to the Sea” tells the story of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a ship that becomes the biggest maritime disaster in history, through four perspectives: Alfred, a delusional Nazi soldier who works on the ship, and three refugees from Nazi Germany – Joana, Florian and Emilia – as they trudge their way through danger across East Prussia and Germany. Through a series of coincidental meetings, they decide to travel with each other across the icy terrain, helping each other in many different ways, including forging papers and tending wounds.
“The Book Thief” by Markus Zusak

“The Book Thief” follows Liesel Meminger throughout her childhood, as she is sent to live with foster parents during Nazi Germany. On the wintry train ride to meet her new family, Liesel steals her first book and begins a collection that will continue until she is fifteen. At her foster home, Liesel befriends her neighbor Rudy, who steals books and helps Liesel’s foster parents hide a Jewish person in their basement. Liesel learns how valuable hope is in dark times and how her stolen books have come to symbolize that hope.

Books That Are Cold-Hearted

Deep, Dark and Thrilling

The ice that forms on the roads tells the more chilling, dangerous story of snow days. Similar to the ice, these books are, at their core, cold-hearted, with danger lurking on every page.
“Six of Crows” by Leigh Bardugo

In this spinoff of Bardugo’s “Shadow and Bone” series, Kaz Brekker is the infamous leader of the Dregs, a gang that specializes in smuggling and heists. In exchange for promised millions from a wealthy merchant, Kaz agrees to undertake the impossible heist: breaking into the Ice Court, a seemingly impenetrable fortress made of ice, to free a rogue scientist. To do so, Kaz assembles a team of six: Inej, an experienced spy known as the Wraith; Jesper, a skilled marksman; Nina, a Grisha with the power to control hearts; Matthias, a former Fjerdan soldier; and Wylan, an explosives expert. If they fail, the drug created by the scientist that enhances the powers of the Grisha could fall into the wrong hands.
“I Must Betray You” by Ruta Sepetys

Set during the final months of 1989, Nicolae Ceauşescu controls Romania as its dictator, preventing anyone from criticizing the government. Seventeen-year-old Christian Florescu is caught in the middle of it when he’s asked to obtain information about the Van Dorns, an American family of diplomats for whom Christian’s mother is a housekeeper. Although plagued with guilt that his family will discover his betrayal, Christian agrees. Through his multiple “hangouts” with the Van Dorn’s son and other drastic events, he becomes frustrated with how minimal the action against the communist government is, especially as neighboring countries begin democracies, and decides to fight against it.
“Stalking Jack the Ripper” by Kerri Maniscalco

In 1888 Victorian London, all 17-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth wants to be is a forensic scientist like her uncle, despite oppressive societal norms. One day, Audrey Rose assists her uncle and his assistant Thomas Cresswell with an autopsy of a murdered body, and they realize the wounds reveal that the murderer might have medical training. Soon after, another victim is murdered in a similar way, and then another, and another. Determined, Audrey Rose and Thomas travel throughout London to investigate the murders and realize that the killer might be closer to Audrey Rose than she thinks.

Books to Escape Into

When you want something warmer than the weather...

Looking for something that’ll whisk you away from the cold weather? These books will definitely help warm you up through their magical settings and compelling plots.
“Powerless” by Lauren Roberts

In the kingdom of Ilya, Ordinaries (people without powers) are banished and hunted by the Elites (people with powers), and Ordinary thief Paedyn Gray’s only wish is to survive. Meanwhile, Elite prince Kai Azer struggles between his morals and duty to Ilya, while also training for the upcoming Purging Trials, three deadly competitions designed to showcase Elite powers. Paedyn is chosen to participate in the Purging Trials, and between intense training sessions, balls and Trials, Paedyn and Kai find themselves falling for each other. This is a book filled with secrets, political uprising and danger at every turn.
“The Hobbit, or There and Back Again” by J.R.R. Tolkien

In this prequel to the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Tolkien explores the adventure of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins when he is chosen against his will to host twelve dwarves and the wizard Gandalf at his home and then head out the next morning with them to take back stolen treasure from the dragon Smaug. In a journey filled with outwitting trolls, battling spiders, escaping elves and finding the magic One ring, Bilbo learns how to fight for good, whether for or against his companions, and returns home a changed hobbit.
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” by J.K. Rowling

If you loved the movie but haven’t read the book, a snow day is the perfect opportunity to dive back into the world of Harry Potter. In an epic turn of events, 11-year-old Harry Potter goes to Hogwarts, a magic school for wizards and witches, despite the fact that his uncle and aunt forbid him from going. There, he finds a new world filled with wonder. He spends his days playing Quidditch, a wizard sport involving flying broomsticks, going to classes on magic and hanging out with his new-found friends Ron and Hermione. While Hogwarts is better than any of them could’ve imagined, they worry about what they find in the third-floor corridor, one of the few places they are strictly forbidden to go to.

Donate to Tatler.

$310

$400

Contributed

Our Goal

Your donation will support the student journalists of St. Mary's Episcopal School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.