Rainy Day Reads

It’s been relentlessly hot and sunny here, but if the forecast holds, it looks like we’re in for some rain and cooler whether this week. (And by cooler I mean in the upper 80s, Farenheit, as opposed to mid-90s.) I don’t know about you, but there is nothing I like better than snuggling up with a good book while the light is low and the rain beats a happy tattoo in the background. The only thing cozier is when you also have a crackling fire to warm your toes… but I think we’ll leave that for winter, eh? And in the meantime, I hope you’ll sit back, sip on your water (or other hydrating beverage), and let me tell you about some stories that are perfect for rainy day reading.

First, what makes a good rainy day read? Obviously, it varies person to person, but for me, I usually want something atmospheric, a little on the dramatic side, and with an element of mystery, whether magical, spiritual, or criminal. If it’s also a chilling tale, all the better to contrast with my position, safely and cozy in my own little corner (in my own little room), where ghouls and terrors cannot touch me.

The first title that comes to mind is Carlos Ruiz Zafón’s gothic-noir, The Shadow of the Wind, which fits all of criteria above, while also being creepy, melodramatic fun. The twists are endless, the language beautiful (the edition I own is translated by Lucia Graves), and the world is rich, both in terms of setting (Barcelona, 1945) and characters. Possibly not for the faint of heart, as it touches on more than one taboo subject, but if you’re up for a dash of noir with some old-fashioned gothic horror, I highly recommend. Also, it’s a book all about the power of books, and you know I’m weak for that. I can’t imagine a better story for curling up on a dark and blustery day (or night).

For slightly less murder-y but still life-and-death drama, I recommend The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. On a cloudy day (or any day, really), I can happily lose myself in the magical tents of the circus, discovering new wonders at every turn. The timelines get a little confusing, as Morgenstern moves back and forth in the story with little change in tone, so you really have to pay attention to dates (and to the age of the twins!), but it’s worth it for the heart-stopping finale. And for Celia, who quickly became one of my favorite heroines ever for her bravery and intelligence.

Now, if you want to go back to the classics, your choices are endless… Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, if you want a touch of romance and gothic parody, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (I know I make fun of her but she is the definition of moody and dramatic), and so many more. As you know, I’m a big fan of the epistolary novel, and for that we have The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins, which is sinister and terrifyingly real in its horror (while also being surprisingly cozy? how?), and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which takes the supernatural route and is guaranteed to make your hair stand on end… yes, even already knowing the vampire lore that our heroes have to learn.

And The Woman and White and Dracula naturally lead us to… mysteries! They’re always a good choice, of course, but I especially love holing up with one when the weather is gloomy and hostile. And you have so many choices! I’m partial to the classics, like Agatha Christy, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Dorothy L. Sayers, but contemporary writers are also doing fun things with the genre. I highly recommend the works of Sujata Massey (I’m a big fan of her “Perveen Mistry” series), C.S. Harris, and Victoria Thompson (my beloved “Gaslight Mysteries”!). I know, I know – I mostly go for historical fiction mysteries. But there’s also Richard Osman, and you can’t go wrong with his delightful Thursday Murder Club! Whichever era or subgenre you choose from, there’s nothing like a little murder and mayhem on a rainy day. But then, I tend to think murder goes with every day, don’t you agree? (Did I say that out loud? Shh!)

But maybe you’re in the market for something less sinister and more sentimental? In that case, I have to recommend my beloved Random Harvest by James Hilton. I tend to reread it every winter, so when the sun is hidden behind clouds, my eyes stray to the half-dozen copies of it that sit on my bookshelf. So many passages take place in the dead of night or during car rides through London rain, and then there’s the 1942 adaptation, which opens in the early morning fog on Armistice Day, so that mental image may strengthen the association. If you’re feeling philosophical but still want a good yarn, you’ll never regret reaching for this stirring tale of lost memories and restless yearning.

Okay, I’ve gone on for a while now, but hopefully, you’ve found a few good titles for the next time you’re stranded indoors by the rain (or sooner – these are just suggestions, and there are no rules to reading)! I’m always looking for more, though, so feel free to share your favorite rainy day reads in the comments. I can add them to my ever-growing TBR!

–b