As the “winter” progresses, I have been dreaming of nestling on the couch, occasionally glancing up from a book and steaming cup of tea to watch the snow gently fall upon the Gallatin Valley. What? It could happen. Maybe, if we collectively install ourselves on couches with books and hot beverages, the snow will come. I say we give it a try. Below, you will find the Not-At-All-Anticipated-Or-Long-Awaited Jamie Balke Winter Book Recommendation List.

1.   Me Talk Pretty One Day, by the brilliant/hilarious/magnificent David Sedaris

A friend introduced me to this book on a road trip to a wedding. The only thing better than reading something written by David Sedaris is listening to the author himself read it. My friend popped Me Talk Pretty One Day into his CD player, and I spent the daylong drive literally crying because I was laughing so hard. At the risk of sounding creepily obsessed with Sedaris, I have never encountered a better storyteller. It is worth finding an audio version of this book in particular, as you will have the opportunity to hear his ridiculously dead-on Billy Holiday impression.

2.   Dracula, by Bram Stoker

This book is like Twilight, but not stupid. Dracula doesn’t sparkle, because Dracula doesn’t need to. It is one of my all-time favorites, and will help you to still the random outbursts of laughter that will occur for a period of time after you read and/or listen to Me Talk Pretty One Day. I don’t think it is necessary to explain much about this classic, other than it is dark, and awesome, and presents a methodical approach to dealing with a supernatural element that appeals to my detail-oriented self on a fundamental level.

3/4.   To Say Nothing of the Dog, by Connie Willis

I will describe this book first and foremost as a comedy. However, it can also be described as historical science fiction. Take a moment to wrap your brain around that. Time travel! If this book tickles your fancy, I would also recommend Kindred by Octavia Butler. This book is decidedly not a comedy, but a fascinating concept.

5/6.   Desert Solitaire, by Edward Abbey

You know how sometimes people ask you impossible questions such as, “If you could meet any person, alive or dead, who would it be?” Thank you for asking. In a heartbeat, I would choose Cactus Ed. I love him because he was clever and insightful and unapologetically cantankerous and most importantly, had a truly unique perspective. To a politically correct mind, he can be a bit abrasive, which is why I recommend that you start with Desert Solitaire. I am not sure exactly how to describe it, except maybe to say that it is Abbey-lite…all of the wonderful descriptions of the natural world, less of the sexism. After you read this, I strongly suspect, after the passing of several months, that you will find yourself looking for another work of Ed. It is at this moment, that I suggest you pick up Black Sun, which is my absolute favorite Edward Abbey book, but not a good starting point. Upon completion of this masterpiece, it will not be long before you will find yourself trying to lay hands upon everything that he has ever written.

7.   A Game of Thrones, by George R. R. Martin

Who are you to judge me? No one. That’s who. But seriously, hop aboard the nerd express and follow me (and many others) into this fantastic fantasy series. The first book is good; the second will blow your flipping mind, and so on, until book five, which hurt my heart. That being said, this man is astounding in his ability to fully develop an arsenal of remarkably complex characters. And he has no problem killing them off. In fact, some of the most excellent chapters are the ones in which he seems to delight in offing a character that he has carefully crafted. The other advantage to reading these books is that it will grant you access into the club. The club is comprised of your friends who have been too self-conscious to admit to a love of this series until you say out loud that you have read it also. Oh! The hours you will spend arguing over which of the characters is the greatest, and speculating as to the exact circumstances of Jon’s birth (if this isn’t incentive, I don’t know what is).

8.   Some Kind of Ride, by Brian Andreas

This book of poetry is packed with beautiful insightful words and artwork. I’d give it a look-see.

9/10.   Never Cry Wolf, by Farely Mowat

This might be a risky recommendation in Montana, but it made me giggle. Maybe it will make you giggle too? You want to know what else made me giggle? Winterdance, by Gary Paulsen. It is even appropriately winter-themed.

So, there you have it, a rather eclectic reading list to occupy the long winter nights. I hope that you will enjoy these books as much as I have.

Happy Reading!

After visiting the west at the age of fourteen, Jamie Balke has been coming up with progressively more elaborate schemes to never leave.