10 Uplifting Reads to Banish the Winter Blues

‘Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café’ by Fannie Flagg

This 1987 classic is a must-read for anyone seeking a lift. The novel follows the burgeoning friendship between Evelyn Couch, a housewife in her 50s, and Ninny Threadgoode, an elderly woman living in a care home. As their bond grows, Ninny begins to recount the story of her younger days in Whistle Stop, Alabama—focusing on her sister-in-law Idgie and Idgie’s close friend Ruth, who together run the Whistle Stop Café. The narrative seamlessly moves between past and present, inviting readers into a world that’s tender, humorous and rich in Southern atmosphere. While the novel is uplifting and full of warmth, it also confronts serious themes, including racism, aging, sexuality and prejudice, with sensitivity and nuance. And since so much of the story unfolds in the café, it’s no surprise that food plays a central role, with moments bound to make your mouth water—including, of course, the now-iconic fried green tomatoes. More than 40 years after its publication, the book’s themes still resonate, and its humor, heart and unforgettable characters remain as vibrant and engaging as ever.