10 Books Every Woman Over 50 Should Read This Winter
My favorite thing to do in the winter is to slow down, get cozy, and dive into a good book. There’s something so comforting about curling up under a blanket with a hot drink and getting lost in a great story. Whether you’re looking to find inspiration, learn something new, or just escape for a bit, I hope you find your next great winter read in this list of books for women over 50!
I just read {The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende} during my recent trip to Hawaii and loved it. I can’t believe I’ve never read any of her novels before, but I plan to rectify that.
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10 Books Every Woman Over 50 Should Read This Winter
{One Big Happy Family} is a heartwarming story about family, friendship, and finding happiness in unexpected places. Susan Mallery weaves together the lives of a group of people navigating love, loss, and the bonds that bring them together. Perfect for fans of feel-good fiction.
A chance encounter on a snowy day leads to a love story that unfolds over ten years. {One Day In December} is an emotional tale of missed opportunities, friendship, and destiny is a page-turner for those who believe in the magic of timing.
In true Nicholas Sparks fashion, {Counting Miracles} is a poignant exploration of love, faith, and the power of hope. Add this to your TBR (to be read) list if you’re looking for a story filled with heartfelt moments and emotional twists that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Ina Garten brings her signature warmth and charm to {Be Ready When The Luck Happens} which is part-memoir, part-life guide all about making the most of life’s unexpected opportunities. She shares her own story, showing how being open to chance helped her create the life she loves. My assistant just finished it and highly recommended it!
{What Does It Feel Like} is a heartwarming novel is a story of resilience, second chances, and embracing life’s unexpected moments. It follows a woman who must start over after waking up in the hospital following major brain surgery. As she works to regain her independence and rediscover her strength, she must learn to navigate life’s challenges with humor and determination.
{All The Beauty In The World} is a memoir that takes readers behind the scenes of one of the world’s most iconic museums, the Met. Former guard, Patrick Bringley, shares his unique perspective on the masterpieces, the visitors, and the quiet magic of the museum’s halls.
{The Frozen River} is the kind of story that pulls you in and keeps you turning the pages on a cold winter night! This one is a gripping historical mystery inspired by the life and diary of Martha Ballard, a renowned 18th-century midwife who defied the legal system and made her mark on American history.
I know many of us grew up watching Cher on TV, singing along to her songs, and admiring her bold, fearless style. Now, she’s finally sharing her story in a much-anticipated memoir, {Cher:The Memoir: Part One} giving us a behind-the-scenes look at her rise to fame. With her signature humor and honesty, Cher opens up about the highs, the lows, and everything in between. But this isn’t just a celebrity tell-all—it’s a story about reinvention, resilience, and staying true to yourself, themes that I know resonate deeply with so many of us. This is only part one, so keep your eye out for part two in fall of 2025.
Sharon McMahon, also known as “America’s Government Teacher” and “Sharon Says So,” became a social media sensation during the 2020 election for her clear, nonpartisan breakdowns of politics. In her new book, {The Small and the Mighty}, she shines a light on twelve ordinary Americans whose extraordinary actions changed history. It’s an inspiring reminder that anyone can make a lasting impact.
After the sudden loss of their sister, three estranged siblings reunite and confront their grief, family secrets, and the bonds that still connect them. {Blue Sisters} This is a heartfelt and moving story about love, loss, and finding strength in each other when life feels impossible.
I’d love to hear what books are on your reading list for this winter. Please share with us in the comments.
This is a good list. I now have bookmarked 3 to order from Amazon. And thank you for actually linking to Amazon Canada. Have a great week Jennifer.
I hope you’re doing well Yvonne xo
I just started listening to Karen Marie Moning’s book The House on the Hill, book 1 of a trilogy. It is starting slowly but it is giving hints of its supernatural elements which I like. I will wait to read Cher’s memoir for the second part to drop. I just read Inheritance and the Mirror by Nora Roberts. Now I have to wait for the third book in the trilogy to drop. I use Audible for all of my reading and right now I have 10 credits for new books! Thank you for this great book list!
I use Audible too and just started using my Spotify for audio books which lets me have two going when I’m not listening to music.
You just made my “To Read” list even longer! Some of these look very good! I haven’t read Ina Garten’s book yet as I wanted to wait until after I saw her in person last Wed in Hartford, CT. If any of your readers have a chance to see her, it was such a delightful evening, and the mediator that evening was Willy Geist so it was even more fabulous! Now I can read her book!
How fun, Diane!
I knew Sophie Kinsella had been diagnosed with a glioblastoma, but not that she had written a book about it, so thanks for the recommend. Have just finished Amir Tibon’s, The Gates of Gaza, which is a personal account of the events of October 7 and how his Kibbutz was attacked. Very harrowing read.
That does sound harrowing!
Though I have never purchased or watched Ina Garten’s tv shows, I did read this latest memoir. It is well done. Along with luck, Ms. Garten worked herself to near exhaustion starting her store in Long Island. There are recipes scattered throughout the book. I now want to find some of her cookbooks. I also read recently and loved, The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers. It is from the 1930’s, but has an intriguing plot. Tailors are not people who sew but bell ringers. It is a murder mystery. I also recently read Jamaica Inn by Daphne Du Maurier. This, by the famed author of Rebecca is not nearly as cozy as the Sayers book, but if you love a chilly murder, mayhem style mystery, this is really worth the read. It is usually not my cup of tea, but I did like this book, especially because the heroine makes decisions at the end of the book that cause one, especially women, to consider.
I have quite a few of here recipe books and some are favorites!
Since historical fiction is my thing, maybe the Lawhon book.
Thanks for the great list of books. I haven’t read any of them.
Regarding your Christmas cookies, good luck! For Halloween, o only buy candy I don’t like so I don’t eat it. Christmas cookies? What’s not to like? You are going to need amazing will power. Good luck!
I’m lucky not to ned to buy Halloween candy because we don’t get trick or treaters here:)
I loved the ina Garten book
I’m glad to hear that!
Here is a list of my favourite reads. Tomson Highway’s book called Permanent Astonishment is a memoir about living in the Northwest Territories. I also enjoyed The Sea Captain’s Wife and The Sister’s Tale by Beth Powning. My favourite Isabel Allende’s book is A Long Petal of the Sea. I’ve read and enjoyed all of Elizabeth Strout and Anne Pachett’s books.
Thank you Judy!
Thanks for the book info. I am always interested in finding a good one. Currently I am reading Cher’s memoir and enjoying it very much. I listened to Julia Louis Dreyfus interview Isabel Allende on her podcast Wiser Than Me. She was fascinating and I have it on my list to read her books.
I listened to that interview too. Fascinating
Reading is one of my joys- Thank you for a great list
This is a really good list. I think I have read every Elin Hildebrand book. They all take place in Nantucket which really makes me want to vacation there. I really like to read mysteries and thrillers. Right now I have a Sarah Alderson book called Friends Like These. It’s a page turner for sure. I’ve never read anything by her before but I’m going to look for more. Happy reading!!
I’ve only been to Nantucket once and remember it as gorgeous!
Thanks for the list, Jennifer! I’m a former librarian with a passion for books (of course!), and all of these sound good—I’ve already placed a hold at my library for the Allende book. I am currently reading “Here One Moment” by Liane Moriarty and can’t put it down. It’s revolves around a woman who predicts the age and manner of death for everyone aboard a plane bound for Sydney. It sounds macabre, but really isn’t. I highly recommend it. Happy Holidays, Jennifer!
That does sound unusual! Thanks Sandra
I loved Barbra Streisand’s memoir (she narrates the audiobook) and look forward to listening to Sharon McMahon’s book… I enjoy following her on IG. The Guncle Abroad is a top-notch sequel to The Guncle.
I love listening to Audible books too! Sharon McMahon is new to me. Thanks!
Good morning, Jennifer
“Winter in Paradise” is the first novel in EH’s new trilogy. Oh my gosh, all three in the series are terrific! Highly recommend👍👍
Thanks Gerri