The Seasonal Library: Winter

 Books, Films, Cookbooks, and Rituals for Slower Days

As the winter light softens and evenings begin earlier, I find myself drawn inward - to quiet corners, a warm kitchen, and the comfort of slow rituals. The Seasonal Library is a collection of what has been living in my home lately: books to linger over, films that invite reflection, music to accompany daily life, and cookbooks that bring nourishment. Each selection is a small pause, a way to savor the season fully. 

 

 

 

Books

The Herbalist –  I devoured this book in a weekend. A charming and enchanting story on love, loss, healing, and magic. 

French Dirt – I just started this one. Rooted in France and rich with sensory detail, this book reminds me of the tactile pleasures of home. A love story between a man and his garden. 

 

Films

The Taste of Things: This intimate story blurs food, devotion, love, and domestic life. It’s the perfect film for winter evenings, when simmering pots and candlelight create the kind of quiet magic that lingers long after the credits. And of course one can never go wrong with a film starring the brilliant Juliette Binoche. 

Gemma Bovery: Soft and observational, this older sweet film captures the subtleties of human desire, routine, and European charm with a nod to the classic. You can almost smell the fresh daily bread baked in the film. 

The Hundred-Foot Journey: A celebration of food, culture, and finding one’s place in the world. This film is rich in visuals and lessons, triumph after tragedy, and a beautiful love story layered in between it all. 

 

Cookbooks

A Kitchen in France – Mimi Thorisson A treasure for those who love the tactile beauty of cooking. The photos beautifully shot by her husband, Odor,  recipes, and domestic warmth make this cookbook a companion for winter evenings, when slow preparation is as nourishing as the meal itself.

The Art of Simple Food – Alice Waters celebrating simplicity and seasonality, this book reminds me that intentional cooking is a quiet act of care. It’s ideal for cozy winter afternoons, creating meals that feed both body and spirit. I had the privilege of seeing Alice Waters give a lecture in a garden years back. She is a pioneer in the farm-to-table movement in California. 

 

Music

To accompany this winter season, I’ve created a Spotify playlist — an eclectic mix of gentle melodies for quiet mornings, simmering kitchens, evenings with a book in hand, or slow dancing in your lover's arms. 

 

 

Creating Winter Atmosphere at Home

The Seasonal Library isn’t just about media — it’s about the spaces that support reflection and calm. In winter, I like to:

Curl up in a big chair by a window

Drape a cozy throw over the arm for warmth

Light candles in the late afternoon

Let music drift softly while cooking or reading

These small rituals turn ordinary moments into mindful ones, and invite a sense of intentionality into the season.

Winter is a time for quiet observation, for savoring simple pleasures, and for letting the season shape what we read, watch, cook, and surround ourselves with. The Seasonal Library is a reminder that slowing down is not only possible, it is beautiful. 

 

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