As a mood reader, I place a lot of weight on the genre and style of my potential reads. Do I want something intense and thought-provoking, something epic and adventurous, fantasy, something fantasy or more grounded? There are a lot of choices to go through when choosing my next read and it is all driven by my current mood, which could change a few days later. But one sub-genre that I can always turn to is the growing list of cozy, low-stakes, often fantasy, books.
This is not a new genre and it could very well be my algorithm making it appear like a trend, but I am seeing more and more of these cozy reads popping up in the social media ethos, and I am here for it. After a long stressful day at work the last thing I want to read is something heavy and stressful. Knowing in advance that there is going to be a happy ending and some good vibes throughout the story is exactly the kind of thing I’m looking forward to at the end of a long day.
The other thing I love about cozy reads is that they work for every season. When the days grow short and the weather is less than inviting, curling up with a gentle book under a blanket with a drink of something warm and comforting is a vibe I want more in my life.
Alternatively a relaxed adventure to read casually during the summer is great for when your schedule is all over the place and you need to be able to pick up and put down a story as you go.
Or, because they’re often easy and inviting stories, you might even be able to read it in a day and burn through that reading goal.
Cozy, low-stakes reads can fit into any time of year or any time of day. And don’t underestimate their feel-potential. Low-stakes does not mean no conflict. Something has to propel the story forward after all, whether it's an orc trying to start a new business or a witch managing her fake relationship with a demon, there are plenty of problems to go around.
If you’re seeking out these kinds of stories, another search term to use is “cottage core”. Cottage core, in one word, is a vibe. It’s a specific aesthetic that the internet has coined with the term to represent the idealistic view of rural living. It’s all warm-wood tones, lots of plants and nature, candles and sweaters, and seeking out books with this description promises similar feelings while reading. If you take a look at some of the covers below, you’ll see exactly what I mean.
To get you started on your cozy reading journey, here are the low-stakes and cottage-core books that are on my to-be-read (TBR) list for those cozy read book recommendations:
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
A ‘day in the life’ fantasy story where battle-wary orc Viv finally decides to settle down and open the coffee shop she’s always dreamed of. But as any small business owner knows, getting off the ground isn’t easy and she is going to need help from some curious characters in the sleepy town to find her footing. But with both new and old threats foiling her plans, Viv will have to overcome her own doubt if she is going to see her dreams come to fruition.
And if that sounds appealing, there is a prequel where a younger, eager-to-prove Viv is forced to take a break. Thankfully there’s a decrepit bookshop and mysterious gray man slinking around that could use her attention in Bookshops & Bonedust (Legends & Lattes No.0.1)
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
While opening a bookshop sounds like a nice idea, it’s not so simple for the working woman. Especially when Reyna works as one of the Queen’s private guards, and Kianthe is the most powerful mage in existence.
But a near-death experience is a great kick-in-the-pants and soon Reyna and Kianthe decide to set up their dream shop in a sleepy town. What follows is a cozy tale of mishaps, mysteries, and a murderous queen throwing the realm’s biggest temper tantrum. Even the dullest of professions promise some excitement when living in a fantasy world.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Mika Moon has done very well to get by by not drawing attention to herself. she's used to being alone and she follows the rules...with one exception: an online account, where she posts videos pretending to be a witch. She thinks no one will take it seriously. Until someone does, and they ask her to come to Nowhere House, to teach three young witches how to control their magic.
This novel promises an eclectic cast of characters with themes of belonging and potentially some romance with the prickly library who doesn’t trust strangers like Mika around his charges.
The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
This one has been recommended to me by trusted sources, so it’s high up on my list to try. THe main character Linus Baker is your average forty-year old salary man in a world where his responsibility as a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth means he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages. So when a surprise case sends him to the Marsyas Island Orphanage to evaluate six potentially world-ending children, he may just have his work cut out for him. Especially when the charming and enigmatic caretaker will do anything to keep his wards safe. This book has found family vibes written all over it and I’m excited to read it someday.
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
This book is described as a cottage-core romantasy (fantasy/romance), so be advised there is potential spice in this one. But it sounds very cute as the main character Kiela, who struggles dealing with people, is forced to leave her cozy life and return to her remote island childhood home. Bothered by her nosy, and admittedly handsome, neighbour she sets about trying to start a new life and quickly finds that magic may be her answer; even if it means risking the consequences of using unsanctioned spells.
This book is described as a “a Hallmark rom-com full of mythical creatures and fueled by cinnamon rolls and magic,” which was enough for me to add to my TBR immediately.
There is a short, but by no means exhaustive, list of some low-stakes, cozy, and cottage-core books to curl up under a blanket with. If I have wronged you by not adding a specific book to this list, share it below in the comments of this blog. Or connect with me on Instagram at @rbellirving to share more book recommendations and love of bookish things.
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