I don’t know about you guys but the TBR list we had planned for 2020 was completely thrown out the window as the year shifted from what was considered “normal” to a complete daily life shift as we navigated a pandemic, quarantine, work from home schedules and just a whole lot of uncertainty. Over the year we’ve gravitated to books that made us laugh, were charming or heartfelt to the core, or were completely escapist. These books have offered comfort and joy and filled our literary buckets to the brim. Both Kenzie and I looked back through the year and have compiled a list of comforting reads that made us laugh out loud, made us fall in love with the characters, and kept us on the edge of our proverbial seats! We hope they’ll do the same for you!

We’ve divided them loosely into a couple of general categories:

  • Modern Fiction
  • Non-fiction
  • Series
  • Classics
  • Young Adult

In each section you’ll find the book name and author, a synopsis of the plot, and then a note from either Kenzie or I about why we loved it and want to share it with you! Enjoy!

Cozy Reads for Uncertain Times:

MODERN FICTION

Kenzie’s Pick – The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman

Nina is perfectly content with her well-organized life. She’s got a great job at a bookstore, is awesome at trivia, and is totally on top of her schedule. When Nina’s estranged father dies, she discovers that she has a multitude of siblings, nieces and nephews she never knew about! Nina, normally a super confident type-A personality, is completely thrown off guard when she finds out they also all happen to live near her and want to MEET her. Nina must consider her options:


1. Completely change her name and appearance. (Too drastic, plus she likes her hair.)
2. Flee to a deserted island. (Hard pass, see: coffee).
3. Hide in a corner of her apartment and rock back and forth. (Already doing it.)

It’s time for Nina to come out of her comfortable shell, but she isn’t convinced real life could ever live up to fiction. It’s going to take a brand-new family, a persistent suitor (who happens to be her trivia nemesis), and the combined effects of ice cream and trivia to make her turn her own fresh page.

“I loved being inside Nina’s head, it’s a super fun place to be. The way she looked at the normal things around her was a completely different perspective and I was laughing throughout the book. She was so funny, and she had no idea. She’s someone I’d want to be friends with.” – Kenzie

Jen’s Pick – The Switch by Beth O’Leary

Honestly, if you’re looking for a cozy read, you can’t go wrong with Beth O’Leary. We also loved The Flatshare and can’t wait for her next book The Road Trip (out in 2021).

Eileen, newly single at almost 80, hopes for a second chance at love but finds there’s very little to inspire romantic feelings in her tiny Yorkshire village. Her granddaughter, Leena, has been told that, due to her obvious need to grieve and heal after the death of her sister, she needs to take a two-month mandatory sabbatical from work. Unable to actually relax in London, she offers her flat to her grandmother for two months so that she can live in Eileen’s village home and hopefully finally be able to disconnect from the bustle of her life and job.

But stepping into one another’s shoes proves more difficult than either of them expected. Will swapping lives help Eileen and Leena find themselves…and maybe even find true love? In Beth O’Leary’s The Switch, it’s never too late to change everything….or to find yourself.

“It’s so refreshing to have a book that is more than just a cliched love story (although don’t get me wrong, I love those too). I loved Eileen so much. She was feisty, personable and was a lovely example of how age doesn’t diminish the spirit within. Also, I hope I can be 80 and still rocking over-the-knee black boots. Leena was so broken at the beginning of this but her foibles, vulnerability, wit and awkward moments were both charming and hilarious. Though it is about finding love, I really enjoyed that this book is predominantly about two women, being unapologetically themselves, and finding their own strength as they rebuild a life after grief.” – Jen

Honorable Mention: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

And because we couldn’t actually decide on only two. Our third choice is A Man Called Ove. Ove is a grumpy old man that finds his intentional solitude destroyed when a new family moves in next door. We loved how grumpy, inappropriate and completely lovable Ove is and were charmed by the heart underneath all of his grumbling. If you haven’t picked this one up yet, Backman is so masterful in this debut-novel. It’s the perfect book to make you laugh, cry and read it all over again because you weren’t quite read for it to be over.

“This book made me laugh and cry. It was one that broke heart and then filled my heart to the brim. All the feelings! It really show the importance of community and showing up for the people around you. And how it’s never too late for love to heal a heart.” – Kenzie

Honorable Mention: Devolution: A Firsthand Account of the Rainier Sasquatch Massacre by Max Brooks

I feel like this synopsis says it best: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER – The #1 New York Times bestselling author of World War Z is back with “the Bigfoot thriller you didn’t know you needed in your life, and one of the greatest horror novels I’ve ever read” (Blake Crouch, author of Dark Matter and Recursion).

Indeed Mr. Crouch. Indeed.

“This book is like Jurassic Park but Bigfoot. I loved it. I was terrified, I couldn’t believe what was happening and when I was done, I read it again. This book is phenomenal on audio as well! Check out libro.fm for the full cast audiobook! It will not disappoint. Because Bigfoot. And a volcano. Duh.” – Jen

CLASSIC FICTION

Kenzie’s Pick – Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

From it’s opening sentence, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife,” Pride and Prejudice is our favorite opposites-attract love story. Before the Kardashians, there were the Bennets. This book sparkles with wit, the dangers of first impressions, boy-crazy teenagers, a commentary on the injustice of women and their opportunities (or lack there of) and a hilarious cousin who says the most absurdly awkward things like they’re the gospel of Jesus Christ. And, in a twist that only Austen can make feel totally natural, it ends in a lot of marriages a la every rom-com ever.

“Reading Jane Austen is calming in that it can’t be hurried or rushed. The characters are fully developed slowly along the formation of the story and you are transported with them to a different time. Also, it all ends happy and with everyone neatly couple up.” – Kenzie

Jen’s Pick – Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

“I had a lot of troubles, so I write jolly tales.” – Louisa May Alcott

When it was written in 1868 and then completed into the version we now know in 1880, Little Women was an immediate success. It follows the lives of the March sisters. It’s themes of domestic struggles and triumphs, work, and finding true love will endear every character to the reader and have you asking, which character are you? It’s a book about real women and real heroines.

“For some reason Christmas always makes me want to read Little Women. Being a part of the lives of the March girls is such a joy, as well as a great heartache. But always, on top of the hardship, is the love of family, the strength of women, and the beauty of a life lived with passion.” – Jen

Honorable Mention: Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry

You can’t go wrong with any of Wendell Berry’s books or poetry if you’re looking for cozy. Hannah Coulter, his seventh novel, is written from the perspective of Hannah, now an elderly-woman, as she looks back on her life, the land she loves and the community that helped shape her. It’s a slow read but not boring, it just takes its time. Hannah Coulter is steeped deep in family culture and the beautiful virtue of redemptive love and is a must-read for everyone.

“I love this book because it’s very much like Little Women in the sense that it takes the ordinary and makes it heroic, which is very much the truth of our lives, isn’t it? This book was especially formative for me as a mom, who works from home and it’s very difficult to see ‘tangible’ value from what I do. But it is important, and this book focuses on the importance of the quiet and the greatness of a life lived with purpose, even if it’s not showy or bedecked in wealth.” – Jen

“COZY” SERIES

Kenzie’s Pick – To All the Boys I Loved Before series by Jenny Han

Sixteen year- Lara Jean Song discovers one horrifying day that all five of the secret love letters she’s ever written to her crushes, and which she had NO intention of ever mailing, have been mailed to their respective subjects! Lara Jean’s love life suddenly goes from non-existent to completely out of control!

The subsequent books follow Lara Jean as she juggles her life as a high school student trying to sort out her love life, gets ready to leave for college, and offers a view of the delightfully charming Song family. Check out the second book, P.S. I Still Love You, and the third book, Always and Forever, Lara Jean.

“Brace yourself to be completely charmed and want to join the Covey family. Ohm and bake all the things. The main premise of the story is a teen love story but it’s so much more than that with the use of incredible story telling by Han and character development. We fell in love with her but just as much with her family!” – Kenzie

Jen’s Pick – A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas

Nineteen-year-old Feyre kills a wolf in the woods and is immediately confronted with a beast-like creature demanding retribution for its murder. Feyre is forced to return to the beast’s magical kingdom where she soon discovers that her captor isn’t a beast at all, but an immortal faery named Tamlin who once ruled the kingdom before being transformed into his current shape. As her time there extends, Fayre’s hatred for Tamlin, slowly melts away into and is replaced by a deep passion. Their mythical world is soon endangered however as a wicked shadow continues to grow in the land of the Fae. Can Feyre, a human amidst the doomed Fae of Tamlin’s court and beyond, find a way to stop it?

The ACOTAR series is initially a retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fairytale but as the series continues, the reader soon discovers that there are more secrets to be revealed and that Feyre hasn’t even begun to imagine the dangers that face her, and those she loves. Look for A Court of Mist and Fury, the second book in the series, and A Court of Wings and Ruin, the final book (so far). Note: This series is NOT a Young Adult series. I’ve seen several book lists call this young adult and it’s definitely not unless by young adult they mean out-of-high-school and emotionally mature enough to realize that abuse in a relationship is never sexy or swoon-worthy.

“Not your typical ‘cozy read’, the ACOTAR series is a super sexy (read: lots of bodice ripping) escape from 2020 that will have you hooked from the first book to the last. This fantasy series continues to get better with each book and I’m so excited for Maas to release her fourth novel in the series next year! Yes I have it pre-ordered already.” – Jen

Honorable Mention – Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

Raybearer gets an honorable mention because it’s not TECHNICALLY a series… yet. But it will be so we are adding it because we do what we want!

This debut YA fantasy follows the young and teenage life of Tarisai. Tarisai is raised in complete isolation by servants and her most-often absent mother, The Lady. One day, The Lady sends Tarisai to the capital to compete with other children to become one of the Crown Prince’s Council members. If she’s picked, she’ll be joined with the other 11 Council members through the Ray, a familial bond deeper than even blood. That closeness is irresistible to Tarisai, who has always wanted to belong somewhere. But The Lady has other ideas, including a magical wish that Tarisai is compelled to obey: Kill the Crown Prince once she gains his trust. Will she be able to create a different ending for herself and those she loves? Ifueko uses extraordinary world-building to craft this story of fate, loyalty and strength of will. It’s the perfect escape!

“I highly recommend this one on audio too, it’s fantastic! During times that are difficult, sometimes all you really need is to escape for a couple of minutes, an hour, whatever and Jordan Ifueko is stunning at creating a completely different world to immerse yourself into and her prose are beautiful and a treat to read.” – Jen

YOUNG ADULT

Kenzie’s Pick – Tweet Cute by Emma Lord

Pepper is the swim team captain, a perfectionist to the core and chronic overachiever. On top of everything else, she also secretly runs the Big League Burger’s huge Twitter account. Jack is the class clown and Pepper’s nemesis at school, incredibly popular and works at his family’s deli.

When Big League Burger steals his grandmother’s grilled cheese recipe, Jack takes to Twitter to put BLB on blast for their shady new sandwich release.

Behind the scenes, Pepper and Jack go head to head in an epic Twitter battle that quickly goes viral but they’re also unknowingly falling in love with each on an anonymous chat app Jack built. Get ready for an awkward, adorably high school, and unexpected YA romance that’ll leave you completely charmed, and probably hungry for a grilled cheese.

“Take ‘You’ve Got Mail’ add in twitter wars and high school drama and you’ve got Tweet Cute. We really appreciated this YA book that didn’t dive too deep into heavier topics. It wasn’t afraid to talk about family issues and the backlash of posting things online but also was one that we could laugh with and could recommend to a younger teen.” – Kenzie

Jen’s Pick – With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

Ever since she got pregnant freshman year, Emoni Santiago’s life has been about making the tough decisions–doing what has to be done for her daughter and her abuela. The one place she can let all that go is in the kitchen, where she adds a little something magical to everything she cooks, turning her food into straightup goodness.

Even though she dreams of working as a chef after she graduates, Emoni knows that it’s not worth her time to pursue the impossible. Yet despite the rules she thinks she has to play by, once Emoni starts cooking, her only choice is to let her talent break free.

“I loved this book from start to finish. It’s YA but as an adult, I was enchanted, encouraged and inspired by Emoni’s drive and her unabashed belief in talents as a chef. Plus, sprinkled throughout the story are recipes!” – Jen

NON-FICTION

Sometimes cozy doesn’t necessarily mean reading about characters, sometimes it means spending a little time creating a cozy space or cooking a delicious meal to share or enjoy on your own. So here are a couple of books to infuse some serious hygge into the coming season.

  1. Old World Italian: Recipes and Secrets from Our Travels in Italy: A Cookbook by Mimi Thorisson
  2. French Country Cooking: Meals and Moments from a Village in the Vineyards: A Cookbook by Mimi Thorisson
  3. A Kitchen in France: A Year of Cooking in My Farmhouse: A Cookbook by Mimi Thorisson
  4. I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life by Anne Bogel
  5. The Nesting Place: It Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect to Be Beautiful by Myquillyn Smith
  6. Welcome Home: A Cozy Minimalist Guide to Decorating and Hosting All Year Round by Myquillyn Smith

So there you have it! We’d love to hear some of the books you’ve loved over the last year that were just what you needed at the time. Comment below and let us know because we are always up for expanding our TBR lists!

Cheers friends!

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