It’s pouring rain here in LA, and it’s dumping snow on Buffalo, NY…guess the seasons have officially changed, which means cold and cozy weather is here for a bit.

With such rare cloud cover in LALA Land, the impulse to hole up with a good book and a great sweater pretty much takes over the city (plus, we could never dream of going out anywhere with wet hair!)

What book to choose? Ah, there are so many, and browsing through the blogosphere, I get the slight idea that people are curling up all over the US of A.

Good thing for us it just happens to be Slate Magazine’s Fall Fiction Week, and they have a lovely list of overlooked fiction recommended by bloggers and booksellers. I’m so happy because the greatest bookstore EVER is represented on Slate’s list. If you’re ever in Denver , you must go to The Tattered Cover Book Store.

In the meantime you can pick up Cathy Langer’s recommendation of Any Human Heart,

“ Any Human Heart reveals the life of an ordinary man in extraordinary times; it gives the reader both broad and intimate views of the 20^th century, from the mundane to the horrific. This novel is so satisfying, and one that we enthusiastically hand-sell, with readers of all ages and both sexes coming back and begging for another one just like it.”

If you’re still glowing from the thrill of The Da Vinci Code, shopping blog (from Singapore no less!) Mighty Stuff suggests The Secret Supper by Javier Sierra, “For readers still hooked on Da Vinci Code - here is an international bestseller that can be found at our store selling at half the price of retail! A historical thriller featuring Leonardo da Vinci and his masterpiece, The Last Supper”.

And if you’re really still missing Dan Brown, his repertoire of thrillers are still hot on the ThisNext charts. Wiredd recommends Angels and Demons saying “I couldn’t put this down, and like how the author lets you feel smart by telegraphing a few of the many plot twists.”

Esh adds Dan Brown’s Deception Point to his list Books I Remember Reading. He doesn’t seems as enthusiastic about this one as the infamous Da Vinci Code, but it might be perf for a cold rainy/snowy day.

Ayn Rand is a big fave on ThisNext. Don’t let the notorious author fool you – if you haven’t read any of her novels, it’s not all philosophy…you’re in for a real treat, and a great, epic story (Kristopher and I are die hard fans).

Joyce de Brevannes has added Atlas Shrugged to her What Keeps Me Sane list (what better recommendation than that?) saying “I’ve read it countless times and still find something new and powerful.”

Chantal loves Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, “As a writer goes, Ayn Rand is a storyteller. I often get crap for liking her books but its not the philosophy I read for its the story.”

On the lighter side, check out This Mama’s Book Reviews by book reviewer Anne-Marie (aka Mama Rant, ha!) she has a nice easy-breezy and snarky list of chick lit like 24 Karat Kids and Happiness Sold Separately.

Read on, little ThisNexters, read on.