Wintering Audiobook By Katherine May cover art

Wintering

The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

Preview

Try for $0.00
Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Wintering

By: Katherine May
Narrated by: Rebecca Lee
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $15.75

Buy for $15.75

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

About this listen

A New York Times Best Seller!

As heard on NPR Morning Edition and On Being with Krista Tippett

“Katherine May opens up exactly what I and so many need to hear but haven't known how to name.” (Krista Tippett, On Being)

“Every bit as beautiful and healing as the season itself.... This is truly a beautiful book.” (Elizabeth Gilbert)

"Proves that there is grace in letting go, stepping back and giving yourself time to repair in the dark.... May is a clear-eyed observer and her language is steady, honest and accurate - capturing the sense, the beauty and the latent power of our resting landscapes." (Wall Street Journal)

"May writes beautifully.... A contemplative, hopeful, consoling book.” (NPR)

An intimate, revelatory book exploring the ways we can care for and repair ourselves when life knocks us down.

Sometimes you slip through the cracks: unforeseen circumstances like an abrupt illness, the death of a loved one, a breakup, or a job loss can derail a life. These periods of dislocation can be lonely and unexpected. For May, her husband fell ill, her son stopped attending school, and her own medical issues led her to leave a demanding job. Wintering explores how she not only endured this painful time, but embraced the singular opportunities it offered.

A moving personal narrative shot through with lessons from literature, mythology, and the natural world, May's story offers instruction on the transformative power of rest and retreat. Illumination emerges from many sources: solstice celebrations and dormice hibernation, C.S. Lewis and Sylvia Plath, swimming in icy waters and sailing arctic seas.

Ultimately Wintering invites us to change how we relate to our own fallow times. May models an active acceptance of sadness and finds nourishment in deep retreat, joy in the hushed beauty of winter, and encouragement in understanding life as cyclical, not linear. A secular mystic, May forms a guiding philosophy for transforming the hardships that arise before the ushering in of a new season.

©2020 Katherine May (P)2020 Penguin Audio
Personal Success Women Inspiring Heartfelt Difficult Memoirs
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Critic reviews

“There is power and clarity and wisdom to be gained from accepting these difficult times. Wintering offered me empathy, acceptance and perspective that will stay with me long after the pandemic.” (New York Times)

“A beautifully written mix of memoir and philosophy...With a pandemic keeping us isolated in so many ways, May offers much-needed solace and comfort and a reminder that seasons eventually turn.” (Booklist, starred review)

“Beautiful...She is a poetic observer of the natural world, and quotable lines abound...I want to share Wintering with all my friends who experience winter blues, and keep a copy close at hand for the inevitable winterings of my own life.” (BookPage)

Featured Article: 13 Listens to Get Through the SAD-dest Time of Year


Have you ever felt stuck or lonely during winter months? This isn’t just a you problem. Something about those gray skies and short days really gets to us—and while the onset of winter brings its own challenges, these last few weeks of the season can feel interminable. Whether you hope to learn more about seasonal depression, embrace your feelings, or look for some escapism, these listens can power you through the end-of-winter blues.

What listeners say about Wintering

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,267
  • 4 Stars
    282
  • 3 Stars
    113
  • 2 Stars
    42
  • 1 Stars
    15
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,298
  • 4 Stars
    147
  • 3 Stars
    35
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    8
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,059
  • 4 Stars
    268
  • 3 Stars
    105
  • 2 Stars
    35
  • 1 Stars
    19

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Comforting Truth

This book was profoundly moving in its grounding of our human despair in the reality of nature’s cycles. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s exploration of many aspects of enduring a dark and cold season. Much appreciation from this reader!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Gorgeous

A story to get lost in-in a healing, deeply felt way. Loved this book very much, and the narration is like a steady and warm lullaby. Highly recommended

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely lovely

I hung on to every word, every story, every piece of vulnerable truth that was shared. This book came at a perfect time as I am learning how to better winter and appreciate the cycles of life. The voice of the narrator added to the pleasure of listening. I look forward to reading/listening to this book again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Astonishing Density of Content

I must re-listen to this book chocked full of things my spirit must unpack gradually. It’s quite everything I have felt and am feeling, and will help me understand myself more. Thank you Katherine May and Rebecca Lee!!!!!xoxoxo

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

The writing is lovely as is the reading. As a person who has “wintered” a lot for different reasons over the years, this book felt very personal. I’m considering buying a print copy to read it again.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

beautiful lyrics written

beautifully written book full of exquisite prose perfect and timely for our world right now.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A magnificent window into a life!

This was a visual walk through a very vivid life of a woman. I found it very thought provoking and affirming. It was enjoyably comforting and very timely! I thoroughly loved this book and didn't want it to end.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Will Listen Again and Again

Great way of looking at the world. Puts things into perspective and gives us permission to slow down. I plan to listen to this periodically as a reminder.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

it's OK to not be ok

I loved every chapter. It made me feel like I'm not failing when I'm struggling, and everyone goes through sunny seasons and cold, brutal, gray seasons. The reader had a wonderful, easy to listen to performance as well.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

So Quotable!

This book is so quotable! It delves into the art of slow living and giving yourself space to heal.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!