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Original poster

The cosiest book you ever read

147 replies

MellowBird85 · 04/09/2019 16:48

As autumn approaches, I’d really like to find a proper cosy book - the type that you can curl up by the fire with while the rain lashes against the windows Smile but not too twee iykwim? I wouldn’t mind something based in the 18th or 19th century (but not essential). I went on GoodReads and found a list of “Books to Read on a Rainy Day” and all the classics were at the top of the list - Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Pride & Prejudice, etc. I’m willing to give these a go but just thought I’d get some opinions on here first. TIA

OP posts:
Linnet · 09/09/2019 20:43

The thirteenth tale

Strawberrycreamsundae · 09/09/2019 20:40

Definitely Winifred Foley's Lark Rise to Candleford, my all time favourite 'go to' book.

FLOrenze · 09/09/2019 20:39

My two cosiest are miss buncle’s book and the magpie murders
Best authors for cosy
Angela thirkell
De Stevenson
Dorothy koomson
P d James
Kathleen tessaro
Edith Wharton
Ann granger the Mitchell and Markby series

abitoflight · 09/09/2019 20:22

The shell seekers rosamund pilcher
So comforting

Cyberworrier · 09/09/2019 20:11

Excellent thread. Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont, by Elizabeth Taylor, Mrs Pettigrew lives For A Day, by Winifred Watson, anything by Daphne Du Maurier (maybe less cosy but similar by the fire on a winters night..). Contemporary author I’m loving the work of is Bitter Orange writer Claire Fuller.

QuimReaper · 09/09/2019 20:09

I was going to suggest The Cazalet Chronicles too!

This thread has made me want to reread Rosamunde Pilcher. I'll add September and Winter Solstice to my To Read pile Smile

ALoadOfTwaddle · 09/09/2019 19:56

I've changed my mind. Marley and Me or Bridget Jones's Diary.

Ohflippineck · 09/09/2019 08:33

Straight to Jane Eyre, re-read it every year.

OneHamm3r · 09/09/2019 08:32

Yy to The Snow Child and I’m lobbing in I Capture the Castle

cutebutscary · 08/09/2019 22:46

Little women ! I'm not a "classics" fan as I'm more into thrillers but I read this as a child and have read it a few times since. It's such a comforting cosy homely story . Definitely worth reading if you haven't already

TinyMystery · 08/09/2019 21:51

Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee

HexeSauerkraut · 08/09/2019 21:48

Also, not seasonal but one of the most hilarious, absurd and absorbing books I’ve ever read is A Confederacy of Dunces, by John Kennedy Toole. Highly recommend!

PuppyMonkey · 08/09/2019 21:47

Thank you for the thread. Smile

I’m voting for The Snow Child which gave me the goosebumps.

HexeSauerkraut · 08/09/2019 21:35

Another vote for Cold Comfort Farm - and definitely Georgette Heyer books! Some brilliant suggestions here, think I’m going to nip over to amazon just now Blush

NutFreeFlight · 08/09/2019 21:24

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

bruffin · 08/09/2019 21:02

I love Alexander Mccall smith for that gentle cosy feel.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 08/09/2019 20:59

@southeastdweller - I love all of Helene Hanff’s books!

HettySunshine · 08/09/2019 20:50

I Capture the Castle

'I write this sitting in the kitchen sink...'

Simply wonderful.

southeastdweller · 08/09/2019 20:12

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff.

Coldhandscoldheart · 07/09/2019 13:44

OMG! How did I forget Cranford!?!

Fatshedra · 07/09/2019 12:58

Last book I ordered was from Waterstones......... because you still can!

Pinkarsedfly · 07/09/2019 12:51

I bloody love this thread.

So does Amazon Blush

PoPpErS1 · 07/09/2019 11:48

I think Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell is amazingly comforting. It doesn't really have a plot, it just narrates the life of a little town in the 19th century.

inthekitchensink · 07/09/2019 11:12

The Autumn anthology is beautiful, there is an anthology for each season
I like to get into witchy spooky or horror types this time of year - loved The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell, Wakenhurst & Dark Matter by Michelle Paver, SilentLand and anything else by Graham Joyce, and anything by Susan Hill such as the haunting of hill house.

Sarah Addison Allen & Alice Hoffman write beautiful books with magical realism & some witchiness (Practical Magic, The girl who chased the moon)

Sarah Moss captures bleak landscapes and imagery like no one else (Night Waking & Ghost Wall)

Original poster
MellowBird85 · 07/09/2019 11:00

Thank you so much for all your recommendations, I feel spoilt for choice Grin But a lot of you have recommended Rosamund Pilcher so I think I’ll start there. I know I’ll be referring back to this list for many months to come!

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