The temperature has dropped and the air is frosty. Grey clouds hang heavy with the promise of rain. Thick jackets and warm boots are being retrieved from the backs of wardrobes. The perfect season for all things cosy has arrived!
As someone prone to the winter blues, I am extra invested in keeping warm and cosy during this cold season. I believe that there is nothing better that curling up with a hot drink and a good book (and maybe a snack or two!).
If you, like me, love warming up with a cosy read, I have just the books for you! If you’re not a book-lover or maybe just don’t know where to start – these cosy reads are the perfect intros into the world of winter-warming with literature. I’ve got recommendations from a variety of genres, so hopefully you’ll be able to find the perfect cosy fit for you :)
Little Women
There is something so cosy about old books. I find many of the classics to be incredibly cosy reads. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott is one of my favourite classics EVER. The story is well-told and well-loved, but if you’re yet to experience the comfort and warmth of the March family, let me give you the rundown. Little Women follows the humble lives of the March sisters. There’s Meg, the helpful and responsible eldest daughter, who is ready to take big steps in her life. There’s Jo, the daring and outspoken ‘tomboy’ who longs to be a writer. She’s followed by darling Beth, a shy and gentle soul with frail health and a love for piano. And then there’s Amy, the spirited and pampered youngest with ambitions in art and a desire for the finer things in life. This charming tale is filled with triumph, tragedy, sisterly squabbles, and adventures – often including Laurie, the boy next door. It’s a cosy, comforting read whose relatability transcends the boundaries of time. This book also starts in the wintertime, making it the perfect read to greet the season!
Bonus: for extra warmth and cosiness, grab your popcorn, blankets and besties to watch one of the Little Women film adaptations! Greta Gerwig’s 2019 version is my favourite.
Crumbs
Many of my favourite cosy reads are comics or graphic novels. There’s a special level of comfort that can only be unlocked when gorgeous artwork complements a cosy story. Crumbs by Danie Stirling has unlocked this level. Embodying the very essence of cosy fantasy, this graphic novel follows Ray, a quiet young seer who is drawn to a magical bakery. At Marigold’s Bakery you can order focus blend teas, confidence buns, pastries of melancholy, and many more enchanted treats! Ray visits the bakery once a week to order a coffee with a slice of romance. She soon gets to know the workers of Marigold Bakery and finds romance beyond the slice in Laurie, the kind barista whose true aspirations lie in music- Wait, another character named Laurie? I’m starting to see a pattern here. ANYWAY, this is a wholesome tale of friendship, first love, self-discovery, the study of magic, and the sweetest of snacks! I definitely recommend warming your belly with a hot drink and yummy dessert while letting Ray, Laurie, and the rest of these diverse characters warm your heart.
While this book is available in graphic novel form, you can also read it on WEBTOON if you prefer.
Howl’s Moving Castle
If you’ve watched the Studio Ghibli film, you’ll know that this one has ALL the cosy vibes. Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones has become one of my comfort reads. While director Hayao Miyazaki took many creative liberties, the book has just as much whimsy and delight as the film. I love how the book “Howl” is extra dramatic and flamboyant, and the book “Sophie” is always blaming her troubles on the fact that she is the eldest daughter (as a fellow eldest daughter, I relate). It’s silly and magical and undeniably cosy. If you don’t know about the ‘heartless’ wizard Howl, his magical moving castle, and the cursed woman who comes to live with them, I highly recommend you pick this book up and meet the colourful cast of characters. There’s no Laurie in this one, but there is a fiery little fire demon named Calcifer!
The Secret, Book and Scone Society
This one’s for the mystery lovers! Cosy mysteries have been the most popular of the cosy subgenres for ages, and I can understand why. You get all the adventure and suspense, but none of the gore and horror! Cosy mysteries whip together crime and comfort, typically balancing heavy events with the cosiness of small towns, delicious foods, lovable characters, and other heartwarming ingredients. The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams is that kind of book. It’s the first book in a series of cosy mysteries set in the small town of Miracle Springs. In this book, bookstore owner Nora Pennington forms a society of unlikely women, each trying to escape the tragedies of their past. Together, the women set out to solve a murder, finding redemption and sisterhood in the process. The title of this book just screams cosy intrigue – I mean, what’s more cosy and intriguing than forming a society around books, scones, and secrets? I want in!
The Twilight Garden
I’m a big fan of enemies to lovers, but do you know what’s also great? Enemies to friends! Without the sexual tension and romantic attraction (which, don’t get me wrong, I adore), the enemies-to-friends trope is so endearing. The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams features neighbours Winston and Bernice, who can’t stand each other. However, a shared garden and a warm community cause seeds of mistrust to bloom into flowers of healing, connection, and found family. In my review of this book, I summed it up in three words: charming, comforting, and warm. And that’s exactly what I need to keep me cosy in this cold! With multiple POVs, dual timelines, and a beautifully diverse cast of characters, this book reminded me that no matter how harsh the world can be, there are always reasons to keep living.
On An Ebbing Seafoam Tide
You might be surprised to find a poetry collection on this list, but poetry can truly be so cosy! On An Ebbing Seafoam Tide by Alannah Radburn reflects on the tempestuous nature of life. It’s filled with the pain and pressure of personal relationships, unavoidable emotions, and social constructs. These uncomfortable topics may seem like the opposite of cosy, but using rich imagery, emotive language, and the powerful metaphor of the ocean, the author evokes hope, restoration, and natural wonder. It’s a poignant collection that left me feeling reassured and content. Perfect cosy reading material!
I could keep talking about cosy books, but then this article will become a book itself! To see more of my fave cosy reads, check out my “cosy collection” shelf on Goodreads or Storygraph.
And if you’d like the perfect cosy soundtrack to accompany you this season, try this playlist with all my favourite cosy songs <3
Happy winter! Make sure to stay warm and cosy ~