Written by Menswear Style in Books on the 24th October 2023

In a world with an almost endless supply of streaming services and gaming platforms, finding time to delve into the pages of a good book seems nearly impossible. On average, men read about nine books a year, compared to women who can get through 15. But the very real benefits of reading, including boosting your mood, reducing stress and educating yourself on topics you may be unfamiliar with, make it a worthwhile hobby to include in your daily routine. The cold winter weather is the perfect opportunity to carve out time for yourself to curl up with your favourite vape pen and a good book, the ultimate act of self-care.

Once an Eagle - Anton Myrer 

Once an Eagle is a historical fiction novel that focuses on the ever-changing relationship between a young soldier and his adversary. As the two face off on battlefields that span different locations and periods of time, they have to work through challenging interpersonal struggles that dominate their existence. This 1968 bestselling novel offers a unique and contemporary view of war and peace and the complex interpretation of duty and honour.

A River Runs Through It - Norman Maclean 

A River Runs Through It is an American novella set in Western Montana. This fantastic novel explores the unspoiled beauty of rural farmland America and the simple folks that call this place home. Fly-fishing, family and fighting forest fires set the scene for fathers, brothers and sons to say the things that are so often left unsaid. Before becoming a movie starring Brad Pritt, Maclean came out of retirement at the incredible age of 70 to write, with his popular novel hitting the shelves in 1976. 

How to Win Friends & Influence People - Dale Carnegie 

Originally published in 1936, Carnegie’s How to Win Friends & Influence People has become a pioneering title in the self-help genre. Through the decades, it has delivered powerful and helpful advice on how to communicate and interact with people both socially and professionally. Readers can find an updated version, better equipped for the modern and fast-paced lifestyle, with guiding principles that will resonate with readers in all stages of life hoping to improve their interpersonal skills, from new graduates to seasoned professionals. 

High Fidelity - Nick Hornby 

High Fidelity, dubbed an instant classic by the Guardian, is a timeless and cathartic novel for any man in the midst of a mid-30s existential crisis. It follows a lead character, Rob Fleming, who has just suffered yet another break-up and now finds himself drowning in the purposelessness of his life. Spending most of his time at the record shop he owns, surrounded by pretentious employees he doesn’t particularly like, he finds himself re-examining his romantic relationships and the often mundane, frustrating and perplexing elements of life and the people in them.

The Three-Body-Problem - Cixin Liu 

The Three-Body-Problem is the first novel in an exciting trilogy written by the award-winning Chinese author Cixin Liu. It focuses on the unpredictable events that follow a successful communication attempt with an alien civilisation. The results span across the trilogy, covering many centuries and painting a very realistic, science-driven picture of how humankind may react to any potential dangers and opportunities that come from alien contact. It is an interesting yet haunting depiction of humanity's best and worst traits. 

The Obstacle is the Way - Ryan Holiday 

This New York Times bestselling self-help book focuses on overcoming adversity, drawing inspiration from famous faces who triumphed in the face of challenges. By using stories including Rockefella, Amelia Earhart and many other well-known historical figures, Holiday is able to share essential pearls of wisdom to highlight the importance of working through any obstacle life may throw at you. This 2014 title has resonated with thousands of readers to date, providing timeless advice for people of all ages. 

The Shards - Bret Easton Ellis 

The Shards is Bret Easton Ellis’ first novel in 13 years. It is a fictionalised memoir which sees him travel back to 1981 Los Angeles, his final year of high school. The story follows Ellis’ quick-growing obsessions with a new classmate, Robert Mallory, and a local serial killer known as The Trawler, whose arrivals suspiciously coincide. With morbid murderers, hedonistic sex and plenty of suspense, you will be on the edge of your seat and unwilling to put this incredible novel down.

The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald 

If you have yet to read this literary classic, consider this your sign to crack open a title that has been recognised as one of the greatest works in the American literary canon. Initially published in 1925, this incredible read is set against the backdrop of Long Island’s North Shore during the Roaring Twenties. The novel is written from the perspective of a young man who befriends a millionaire and his former lover. The many lavish parties and high-society lifestyle perfectly illustrate how class, wealth and the American Dream strongly influenced the pursuit of happiness for many during this time. 

The Rum Diary - Hunter S. Thompson 

This Hunter S. Thompson novel, set against the backdrop of the fiery Puerto Rican sun, follows the wayward staff at The Daily News and the jealous, violent and often drunken spectacles that follow them. A story plot with many twists and turns, you will quickly find yourself completely immersed in this hedonistic journey, hoping the book never ends, forcing you back into the reality of the real world.

Read on to learn more about the top book titles for men to enjoy this winter.