If you want to read more books (and you really should want to read more books), experts often suggest laying in a stack of titles to pick up whenever the mood strikes you. Don't wait until you're looking to start a book to buy one, they say. Instead, gather way more than you can read at any given time, that way you'll always have something that strikes your fancy to pick up whenever you have a moment to spare.
It's always sensible advice. But with the holidays approaching it seems even wiser. After all, for most of us the winter months are ideal reading season - outdoor activities are less appealing, the urge to cocoon at home is upon us, and often we're blessed with some good long breaks from work to unwind and feed our minds.
So what books should you pick up in preparation for holiday reading season? I've already passed along recommendations for possible fall reading, but I just stumbled on a great list of winter reads from Slack VP of engineering, blogger, and author Michael Lopp
- Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life
"My favorite read of the last decade," Lopp enthuses. "Yes, it's a surf book, but I suspect that non-surfers will consume this book."
- Batman/The Flash: The Button
Yes, it's a comic. I told you it was an eclectic list, but eclectic is good. Just ask some of the world's smartest people.
- The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge
"If you want to understand the mindset of engineers - read this," says Lopp.
- The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal
Another book about an incredible feat of engineering, this time with more mosquitoes.
- Seveneves
One for the sci-fi fans. "Big book, large concept, no spoilers. Highly recommend," Lopp succinctly explains.
Hawkeye Omnibus
Another comic, but maybe not exactly what you're expecting. "Not a lot of super powers, just a lot of humans," notes Lopp.
Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader
An obviously excellent choice for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and/or achieving greatness.
Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft
"Give the first volume and whirl and see if you're able to not buy the next," Lopp dares readers.
Cool Tools: A Catalog of Possibilities
"You're welcome," is Lopp's simple comment on this one.
The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring
"The story of the fate of the world's most splendid forests and of the imperiled biosphere itself," says Amazon.
"My favorite read of the last decade," Lopp enthuses. "Yes, it's a surf book, but I suspect that non-surfers will consume this book."
Yes, it's a comic. I told you it was an eclectic list, but 
"If you want to understand the mindset of engineers - read this," says Lopp.
Another book about an incredible feat of engineering, this time with more mosquitoes.
One for the 
Another comic, but maybe not exactly what you're expecting. "Not a lot of super powers, just a lot of humans," notes Lopp.
An obviously excellent choice for anyone interested in entrepreneurship and/or achieving greatness.
"Give the first volume and whirl and see if you're able to not buy the next," Lopp dares readers.
"You're welcome," is Lopp's simple comment on this one.
"The story of the fate of the world's most splendid forests and of the imperiled biosphere itself," says Amazon. Of course, this list isn't for everybody, but the larger point is simply to get you thinking about the potential of using the winter holidays soon to come as a great opportunity to cozy up and catch up on your reading.
And if you're problem isn't selecting books to read but actually finding time to get through your ever-growing pile, fear not. There's a ton of great advice out there on how to read more despite your crazy schedule.
What book or books are you constantly recommending this holiday season?
