Check Me Out - Haven January 2026

GILEAD

By Marilynne Robinson

January doesn’t ask much of us. And “Gilead” is a good companion for the slower days at the start of the year, thoughtful, observant, and unhurried. Told as a letter from an aging minister to his young son, this novel moves at a gentle pace. The book lingers on grace, forgiveness, and finding holiness in ordinary days.

PILGRIM AT TINKER CREEK

By Annie Dillard

Dillard won a Pulitzer Prize for this classic. It is her observations of a year of changing seasons. It is the type of writing that rewards careful, unhurried reading. Dillard’s close attention to the natural world - both its beauty and its brutality - opens into larger reflections on mortality, change, and the forces that shape life.

THE SNOW CHILD

By Eowyn Ivey

Set in the Alaskan wilderness, this novel blends realism with elements of folklore. There is magic in Ivey’s pages - but this is a winter book, dealing with sadness, grief, and alienation. As we wind down in the second half of winter, this is a quiet choice - especially for those who enjoy atmosphere over action.

THE COMFORT OF CROWS

By Margaret Renkl

This is a book of seasonal essays rooted in close observation of the natural world just outside the author’s door. Readers are invited to pause and look closely at the world finding meaning, connection, and a sense of belonging within its larger, living rhythms. This book restores our spirits and brings comfort to the short days of winter.

UPSTREAM

By Mary Oliver

“Upstream” is a collection of essays by one of my favorite poets, Mary Oliver. This is her reflecting on attention, writing, and the natural world. After the hustle and bustle of the past few months, January is the perfect reset - a time to return to the discipline and solitude of creative work, urging loyalty to the quieter, enduring self over the noise of the moment.

STILL LIFE

By Sarah Winman

A warm, patient novel about friendship, art, and the long arc of a life. Descriptive passages linger on small moments and everyday beauty, creating a reading experience that feels immersive, unhurried, and quietly companionable. This book reminds us that connections are the most important thing in life, so when bad things happen, there is still hope and heart.

WINTERING

By Katherine May

I have recently re-read this book; it is a reflective look at rest, retreat, and the seasons in our lives when slowing down is necessary. Key is the idea and reassurance that pulling inward can be restorative, not something to apologize for - a good reminder as we start the fresh year.

FOSTER

By Claire Keegan

A brief, beautifully restrained story about a child sent to stay with distant relatives on a rural Irish farm. Through spare prose and careful observation, the writing conveys deep feeling, building toward a quietly powerful ending about belonging. This short story understands the power of what is unsaid - that stillness can carry emotional weight.