First published 2019
This anthology takes readers from Swedish kitchens where families preserve ancient holiday customs to the frozen Siberian tundra where a reindeer herder faces peril on a midnight trek. The collection weaves together winter celebrations from multiple continents, following characters who struggle to maintain their connections during the year's coldest months. A Swedish household works to honor rituals their ancestors created generations ago. In Siberia, danger threatens a herder crossing the wilderness under starlight. Other stories reveal how people in varied landscapes gather by fires or brave snow-covered paths in search of warmth and community. These characters confront obstacles that strain their relationships with loved ones and neighbors. Yet through their struggles, they uncover how hope endures when times grow harsh. The anthology demonstrates that holiday customs provide structure and significance for people everywhere, creating bonds that transcend geography and climate.
Genres: short-stories, christmas, holiday
Vibes: atmospheric, cozy, emotional, intimate
Tropes: found-family, struggle-to-maintain-connections
Setting: Siberia, Sweden
Period: Holiday Season
288 pages · Hardcover · Penguin Books