I love winter! As I sit here writing this, I have a cup of steaming Lady Grey tea on my desk. Through the window, I can see little children playing in their starfish costumes, snow falling all around them. There are only two things that would make this day perfect – a roaring fire (sadly not an option given my modern, but, small apartment) and a good book!

Since I can’t do anything about the lack of a fireplace in my apartment, I guess I’ll have to focus on finding  something good to read instead. Fortunately, we have plenty of amazing recommendations from the women in our community to choose from!

From herbal remedies and self-help advice to gothic romance and historical fiction, this month’s book list is sure to have something for you!

Here are 10 book recommendations for February 2017 from the women in our Sixty and Me community. If you are looking for even more recommendations, I highly encourage you to check out last month’s book list too!

The 8 Laws of Change by Stephan A. Schwartz

At this time of the year, many of us are thinking about how we want to improve our lives in the coming months. Unfortunately, there is so much unscientific advice out there! Stephan A. Schwartz offers an alternative approach. He offers science-backed techniques for making positive changes in your life. Read more about The 8 Laws of Change.

The Book of Herbal Wisdom by Matthew Wood

Do you believe that the benefits of herbs go way beyond simply making our food taste better? You’re not alone! But, finding the right natural ingredient for each specific situation is not always easy. Fortunately, The Book of Herbal Wisdom is here to help! Read more about The Book of Herbal Wisdom.

Life and Death in Shanghai by Cheng Nien

If you have always been fascinated by China – or you just love great story-telling – this book is for you. Life and Death is Shanghai is a first-person account of the Chinese cultural revolution. It is not easy to hear about what she went through, but, her story is important, powerful and life-changing. Read more about Life and Death in Shanghai.

A Month in the Country by J. L. Carr

This is the story of a broken man who struggles to rebuild his life after taking part in the Great War. As he works on restoring an painting in an old church, Tom Birkin starts to reengage with the people around him. His story of renewal is not heroic. It is simply a beautiful, realistic tale of a man rediscovering himself. Read more about A Month in the Country.

The Midnight Rose by Lucinda Riley

The Midnight Rose is a beautiful, colorful book. It tells the story of two women over the course of almost a century. It is a complex and powerful story, filled with characters that draw you into their lives. Read more about The Midnight Rose.

Thornyhold by Mary Stewart

Thornyhold is a gothic romance novel set in 20th century England. It tells the story of Gilley Ramsey, a woman who inherits her cousin’s house. If you are looking for a little romance, magic and mystery this February, Thornyhold may be just what you are looking for. Read more about Thornyhold.

Firefly Summer by Nan Rossiter

Firefly Summer features amazing storytelling, mystery and love. As you make your way through the book, you will find yourself feeling every possible emotion – from sadness to triumph. What more could you want from a winter book selection? Read more about Firefly Summer.

Fall On Your Knees by Ann-Marie MacDonald

Featured on Oprah’s Book Club, Fall on Your Knees follows the lives of five generations of a family from Nova Scotia. It is an epic book, filled with secrets (some quite dark) and amazing characters. As one Amazon reviewer, Sandra M, said, “The only way that I can describe Fall on Your Knees is to compare it to a car accident. You don’t want to look, but you can’t stop yourself.” Read more about Fall on Your Knees.

Illumination Night by Alice Hoffman

Set on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, Illumination Night is a story of romance and rejection. If you like complex characters and plenty of details, this book may be for you! Read more about Illumination Night.

In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

In the Time of Butterflies tells the story of 4 sisters who suffer under the oppression of General Rafael Leonidas Trujillo’s rule. Suffering persecution and torture, 3 of the women were eventually killed and become known as the Butterflies in the Dominican Republic. It is a story of the power of the human spirit and the potential darkness that hides in the human soul. Read more about In the Time of Butterflies.

The Siren’s Dance by Anthony Walker

The Siren’s Dance is the story of a psychiatrist who marries the wrong woman. She is not “wrong” for him in all the normal ways. Instead, she suffers from an illness that will take both of them to the edge of their sanity. Read more about The Siren’s Dance.

Have you read any of the books featured in this month’s list of book recommendations? What did you think of them? Please join the conversation.