New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has encouraged residents to remain indoors as heavy snowfall continued across the city, offering an unexpected literary recommendation to pass the time.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Mamdani advised New Yorkers to avoid unnecessary travel and highlighted a timely initiative from the New York Public Library. “The snow is coming down heavily across our city, and I can think of no better excuse for New Yorkers to say home, take a long nap or take advantage of our public library’s offer of free access to Heated Rivalry on e-book or audiobook for anyone with a library card,” he said, prompting smiles from those standing behind him.

The remarks followed an announcement from the New York Public Library on Saturday confirming that all cardholders can instantly download titles from Rachel Reid’s Game Changers series. The promotion, running until February 14, removes waiting lists for the popular queer hockey romance novels, a frequent frustration for readers during periods of high demand.

Heated Rivalry, the second book in the six-novel series, has gained renewed attention as the basis for the Crave–HBO Max television adaptation. The show stars Hudson Williams as Canadian hockey player Shane Hollander and Connor Storrie as Russian player Ilya Rozanov. Their characters’ story continues in The Long Game, the sixth novel, and will be further explored in the recently announced seventh book, Unrivaled.

The television series has significantly raised the profile of both actors since its premiere two months ago. Williams and Storrie are currently in Italy, where they have taken part as torchbearers for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

Mamdani’s comments underscored the city’s efforts to promote public safety while also drawing attention to cultural resources available to residents during severe winter weather.