November can be a chilly, blustery month, and sometimes it's nice to curl up with a cup of tea, a warm blanket, and a cozy book.
What is a cozy read?
According to an article by Writer's Digest managing editor Moriah Richard, "cozies" will "generally feature a smaller cast of characters, be set in a smaller town, and have a more optimistic and upbeat tone. Above all, it has to have a satisfyingly happy ending. They offer comfort to their readers; a safe escape from the realities of our daily lives."
Cozy mysteries (think Hallmark Murder Mysteries, Hannah Swensen Mysteries), cozy romance (Hallmark Christmas movies, When Calls the Heart), and cozy fantasy (found family tropes, simple worldbuilding) are all popular subgenres.
Cozy & Classic Recommendations
The Innocence of Father Brown | G.K. Chesterton | Classic Mystery
The criminal is the creative artist; the detective only the critic," he said with a sour smile, lifting his coffee cup to his lips slowly and putting it down very quickly. He had put salt in it.
Featuring a very unique set of characters, this volume of short stories featuring the priest and detective Father Brown is a good read alongside a morning cup of coffee.
Whose Body? | Dorothy Sayers | Classic Mystery
Through the first half of the book, I was entertained by the memorable characters and mystery. Then came the plot twist/midpoint and some backstory for Peter and Bunter, and oh my goodness. Whose Body? became chilling and suspenseful and I couldn't put it down. Peter is quite the character (he begins by planning to go to a book sale, but his mum calls with news of a murder and asks him to investigate, so he sends Bunter to the book sale in his place), as are Bunter and Parker. There were definite Sherlock Holmes vibes (and references), and the 1920s setting was fascinating as it is revealed about Peter and Bunter (and I think Parker?)'s service in WWI, as well as the general culture in that post-war period.
Jane Eyre | Charlotte Bronte | Classic Gothic/Romance
I am no bird; and no net ensnares me: I am a free human being with an independent will.
A bit darker than other recommendations on this list, Jane Eyre nonetheless makes a good fall read, and the title character is most memorable.
Once a Queen | Sarah Arthur | Portal Fantasy
In all the old stories, in those fairy tales I still half believed, this was how it happened.
Portal fantasy is one of my favorite genres. So when you get a portal fantasy with strong Narnia vibes...that, my friends, is a recipe to keep me reading until midnight. Once a Queen was beautiful and tragic and will leave me thinking about it long after the (incredible) final page. I'm glad this will be a series!
*note: this recommendation is great for tweens as well!
The Electrical Menagerie | Mollie E. Reeder | Non-magical Fantasy
This was not just an audition notice. This was the audition notice of a lifetime - a royal talent competition with the ultimate prize. A single chance to burn like the celestial bodies.
With strong Greatest Showman vibes and a fascinating world, The Electrical Menagerie is clever, unique, and fun. I really liked the characters, and could totally picture this as a movie.
The Ogress and the Orphans | Kelly Barnhill | Cozy Fantasy
To the best of my knowledge, this is the first cozy fantasy I read...and for someone used to epic fantasy novels and action packed sci-fi, I really loved it.
Kelly Barnhill's writing style in this book has an unconventional narrator and gorgeous prose. I loved the characters, setting, and theme. Simply a beautiful read.
Found family tropes, fairy-tale style worldbuilding, just generally amazing.
My only complaint is a bit of veiled political commentary that really wasn't needed.
*note: this recommendation is great for tweens as well!
Your turn: have you read any of these? What are your fall book recommendations?
Coming next week...a Q&A with Christian historical women's fiction and romance author Kellyn Roth!
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