My wife and I were talking about what makes a book cozy to us and how we struggle to connect to books in the cozy genre, despite wanting everything a cozy book promises (and fails) to be.
I’m looking for more books that feel cozy in the way I enjoy because I’m getting tired of getting disappointed when a book is labeled as cozy and what that means is that it has flat characters and a weak plot.
I define cozy as having an atmospheric setting and characters I relate to on a personal level, while still having a plot. Books I’ve read that fit this include:
Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center
All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata
A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab
New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
I’m open to just about any genre, I’m just looking for something cozy, relatable, comforting, and atmospheric that fits the bill.
Thanks in advance!
by alliehfish
6 Comments
[But Not Too Bold by Hache Pueyo | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211004133-but-not-too-bold) it is short very short, but I read it yesterday and it was good.
[The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey | Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17235026-the-girl-with-all-the-gifts)
“I’m getting tired of getting disappointed when a book is labeled as cozy and what that means is that it has flat characters and a weak plot.” Can I just give that the biggest “heck yeah”?!
For me L.M. Montgomery is the biggest cozy vibe. Many of her works skew for kids, but not all.
Surfacing Margaret Atwood
Maybe try . . .
We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber
Fannie Flagg books (Fried Green Tomatoes, etc.)
The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey
I totally get what you mean. A lot of times when ppl say “cozy,” it just means it’s got coffee, tea, or autumn vibes with no real substance to the story. But this story has so much depth and emotion, and the prose is so descriptive and vivid. It feels like coming home to a warm bowl of soup after playing in the snow all day lol
Try pretty much any Diana Wynne Jones book
Tiffany Aching books by Terry Pratchett