Living in Chicago, we are no strangers to freezing temperatures and harsh winds. This past winter season has been the coldest one in the past couple of years. The only positive side to this ridiculous weather are the multiple opportunities to curl up with a comforting book that makes you feel at home. Here’s a list of five books that give you a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Harry Potter 

Harry. Potter. Do I even have to say anything more? Literally any Harry Potter book is a great read. Each book has it’s own enchanting plot about wizards and witches. The books follow the story of a young wizard who escaped death as a baby and defeated the darkest wizard in all of history. Author J.K. Rowling takes readers through an emotional roller coaster as she writes about the power of friendship and family. If you have never read one of these books before, stop reading this article, go to your nearest book store or library, and get a copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone– the first book in the series.

The Great Gatsby 

Ah, the roaring 20s- a time period of prosperity and parties. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald transports you back in time during the 1920s. We meet a man named Gatsby, who is filled with secrets and mystery. The story of the novel follows Gatsby’s love for Daisy. This story is filled with themes of undying love, jealousy, and greed. The next time the temperature hits single digits, grab a blanket and some hot cocoa, and explore the world of fantastic parties and suppressed emotions.

The Fault in Our Stars 

The Fault in Our Stars is written by John Green– who also happens to be the star of the hugely popular Crash Course videos. On days that you need a good cry and some heartache, The Fault in Our Stars is the perfect read. Green tugs at your emotions with the story of Hazel and Augustus, two teens who suffer from cancer. This story is filled with humor, tragedy, and love. On a day the wind is extremely harsh, grab this book, bundle up in a corner, and give it a read to laugh and cry.

The Hunger Games 

May the odds be ever in your favor when reading The Hunger Games. The story of Katniss Everdeen takes you through her life in a dystopian society. The largest issue in the book is the actual Hunger Games, which is an event where kids from every district are pinned against each other to fight to the death. Literally. If you ever find yourself in the mood to rebel against the government, but it’s a cold day, then grab this book and enjoy the story of Katniss.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower 

On a more serious note, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is about coping with grief. We follow the story of Charlie, who is starting high school but is dealing with the suicide of his friend. The Perks of Being a Wallflower reflects on a part of life that many people avoid, and many people take away life lessons from Charlie. For a read about dealing with everything life throws at you, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is perfect.

Today is Groundhog Day, and this morning the groundhog saw his shadow, which means we have another six weeks of this brutal winter left. That gives you plenty of time to read these books and fight Voldemort with Harry Potter or party with Gatsby.