If you’re over rereading the same books at home this winter, here are a few reads that hit on that darker winter vibe — whether it’s cause of the heavy subject matter or dark academia aesthetic that we all know and love this time of year.

1. The Secret History by Donna Tartt
A dark academia classic, this moody, atmospheric novel follows a tight-knit group of Classics students who find themselves entangled in a murder mystery deep in the snowy mountains of their liberal arts college. With its icy New England setting and themes of guilt, morality, and obsession, it’s the perfect match for gloomy winter days since it will keep your mind stimulated and warm up your curiosity.

2. Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
Set in a bleak 1960s boys’ prison, this one dives into the messy mind of a lonely young woman who becomes disturbingly obsessed with a new coworker. If you’re already a Moshfegh fan or just in the mood for something gritty, unsettling, and meets the “Weird Girl Winter” criteria, then this one’s for you.

3. I Could Live Here Forever by Hanna Halperin
All about love, addiction, and the emotional chaos in complicated relationships, this novel is intense, raw, and perfect for getting deep into your feels. While it’s not set in winter, its heavy, immersive vibe matches the mood of the season and pulls you right into the thick of it. TW: For addiction & emotional abuse.

4. If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Drama, Shakespeare, secrets, and a mystery — does it get any more winter than that? Set in a secluded arts college, it’s moody, literary, and full of emotional twists that will keep you on your toes the entire time. This is perfect if you’re craving a dark academia fix or if you read The Secret History and want that vibe to continue in your next read.