I am a cozy book fan through and through. My ideal scenario is curling up in a big comfy chair, on a rainy day, and reading as much as I can. But I don’t just keep my cozy reads for cold, crummy weather! Even when it’s warm outside, sometimes you need a story that will warm your heart and soul too. These are a few of those reads, so find your perfect reading spot and dive in!
I adore this story, starring Clare the (you guessed it!) undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Clare was struck by a car and between life and death, he was given the opportunity to usher wandering souls to their final resting place. He leads a quiet, predictable life, until Gingersnipes the badger comes along and Clare cannot usher her to the Afterlife—she is unable to leave Deadwood! They must set out on a journey to solve the mystery. Now I know it might sound a little dark, with talk of life and death, but trust me when I say this story is simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming. It is uplifting and sweet and you’ll also laugh out loud. Oh, and maybe grab some tissues just in case.
I would immediately check in to the Heartwood Hotel if I could. This is exactly how I picture all the little woodland creatures living in the forest. In the first book of this delightful series, we meet Mona the Mouse who stumbles across this grand hotel, hoping for a place to stay. And she happens to be exactly the maid they need! Animals come from all over for safety, luxury, and comfort but when danger lurks and everyone must come together, Mona realizes the Heartwood Hotel might be even more than just a place to stay. It might also be a home.
Depending on when you’re reading this blog, you might be deterred by the pumpkins in the title. But fear not, it doesn’t have to be October to enjoy this spooky but sweet adventure! On Halloween, a young girl named Eve flees an unpleasant orphanage, only to run smack into the fabled Pumpkin King. Eve throws caution aside and accepts the King’s offer to become his daughter in Hallowell Valley, home to ghosts, goblins, and all things that go bump in the night. There Eve finds new friends, and a new sense of home, but just as she’s finding her place among the undead, something sinister unearths itself and she must stop it.
An inspiring story about an inspiring story? Yes please! When Macy gets book one of The Mighty Zora series for her birthday, she stays up until 11:34pm finishing the book. But the next day, when Macy gets to her school library, eager to check out book two, she finds the door locked with a sign explaining that the library will now only be open a few days a week due to budget cuts. With help from her fellow third graders, support from her mom, and encouragement from poems written and hidden for her by her father, Macy must find her voice and learn the power of advocating for herself and her community. Can Macy learn to be Mighty?
If you’re a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia or Roald Dahl, this is a cozy, new classic that is going to be a welcome addition to your favorite stories. Kate and her younger brother Tom wish they could lead the exciting adventures lives like the ones they read about in books. Everything is so mundane…until their mysterious and highly irresponsible Uncle Herbert shows up with an unbelievable birthday present for Kate: a colossal steam locomotive called the Silver Arrow. This amazing story follows Kate and Tom as they’re off to distant lands, along magical rail lines, with an assortment of exotic animals who can talk. This is an absolutely thrilling adventure, that encourages curiosity and imagination.
Ok yes there’s witchcraft and wizards and the biggest magical storm in history threatening a town. But trust me, this exciting adventure is also the perfect cozy, whimsical story that’s full of lots of heart—and a pinch of magic. You see, Eva Evergreen is determined to earn the rank of Novice Witch before her thirteenth birthday. The only problem is that Eva only has a pinch of magic and it causes some chaotic, although often hilarious, results. Part of her Novice Witch test is helping the tranquil coastal town of Auteri, but they’re expecting a powerful witch, not a semi-magical one. Eva must conjure all the magic, bravery, and cleverness she can in order to save her town, and her magic.
