Our favourite books to curl up with at Brook Cottage: Winter edition
There's a particular kind of afternoon that only seems to happen on holiday. The walking boots are off, the wood-burning stove is lit, rain is tapping quietly against the window, and you're deep in a book you've been meaning to read for months.
No notifications. No obligations. Just you, a good story, and nowhere else to be.
That's the kind of afternoon Brook Cottage Shepherd Huts was made for.
Whether you're planning a romantic glamping break on the Llŷn Peninsula or a peaceful solo retreat to properly switch off, our luxury shepherd's huts offer something increasingly rare: genuine stillness. And genuine stillness, we've found, is the perfect condition for reading.
So, we've put together our winter reading list: five wonderful books that feel particularly at home beside a crackling fire, surrounded by the quiet beauty of the North Wales countryside.
Five books for cosy winter reading
1. Wintering by Katherine May
A beautifully thoughtful memoir about the fallow seasons of life - illness, burnout, withdrawal - and what it means to rest without guilt. May writes about winter not as something to endure, but as something to lean into. It's the ideal companion for a break that's specifically about slowing down, and has a wonderful way of making you feel that doing less is exactly right.
2. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
A fable about following your instincts, embracing the journey and finding meaning in unexpected places. It's the kind of book that feels different depending on where you read it. And reading it somewhere quietly beautiful, with nothing pressing on your time, might just bring out its best qualities.
3. H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
Part memoir, part nature writing, this remarkable book explores grief, obsession and finding your way through loss by training a goshawk. Macdonald's writing has something of the quality of a still winter morning - precise, unhurried and full of unexpected beauty. A compelling choice for anyone who feels a deep connection to the natural world.
4. Tir by Carwyn Graves
A fascinating exploration of the Welsh landscape through food, farming and the people who work the land. Graves writes about Wales with genuine curiosity and deep knowledge, revealing the connections between landscape, culture, language and the food we eat. Reading Tir here on the Llŷn Peninsula, where those relationships are still woven into everyday life, gives it an extra resonance. It might even inspire a visit to a local farm shop or a conversation with someone who knows this corner of Wales well.
5. The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
Set in 1920s Alaska, this enchanting novel tells the story of a childless couple who build a little girl from snow one winter evening - and something extraordinary happens. Atmospheric, quietly magical and written with great delicacy, it's a story perfectly suited to those long winter evenings when darkness falls early and the fire is the brightest thing in the room.
A little time to yourself at Brook Cottage
Of course, the best book is whichever one you've been meaning to read for ages. Sometimes all you need is the time and space to finally lose yourself in it. And that's something we have in abundance at Brook Cottage Shepherd Huts.
Each of our five individually designed luxury shepherd's huts has its own wood-burning stove, wonderfully comfortable double bed, private en-suite bathroom and kitchen facilities. Outside, there's a private deck and firepit, with the peaceful surroundings of our meadow, woodland and wildlife lake to enjoy.
Three of our huts - Joan, Susanna and Angharad - are dog-friendly, so your four-legged companion can curl up beside the fire while you settle into another chapter.
Of course, there's plenty to tempt you outdoors, too. The Llŷn Peninsula is beautiful in winter, with wild, windswept beaches, quiet coastal paths and the mountains of Eryri within easy reach.
But there's something rather lovely about returning from a bracing walk, lighting the stove, making a cup of tea and picking up exactly where you left off.
And with no Wi-Fi to distract you, there's every excuse to read just one more chapter.
Your next chapter starts here
If your idea of a perfect winter escape involves beautiful countryside, a cosy shepherd's hut, a crackling fire and a good book, we'd love to welcome you to Brook Cottage Shepherd Huts.
Whether you're planning a romantic break for two or a peaceful solo retreat, our adults-only luxury glamping accommodation on the Llŷn Peninsula offers the perfect place to switch off, slow down and enjoy a little time that's entirely your own.
Looking for more reading inspiration? Explore our Summer and Autumn editions of Our favourite books to curl up with at Brook Cottage.
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