A review by oliviahamilton
Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

This book is an absolute treat. It felt like such a reflective way to think not only about the season but also the multitude of emotions that come with going through hard times, feeling a simultaneous need to retreat and to be with others. May captures this beautifully, along with the guilt and shame that often comes with enduring pain. I learned a lot about the Northern cultures and species that are known for their capacity to winter, and the toll that it takes. Each idea is brief enough to capture one's attention without boring the reader with specifics, while still exploring them in their totality. 

I bought this physical book for my mom on recommendation from my local bookstore (shoutout Greenlight in Brooklyn for their marvelous holiday lists) and ended up reading half of it over Christmas break. I finished the second half on audiobook via Libby, and I think both are really well done. I do think it's worth the physical purchase simply for the ability to be able to go back to different passages.