The cosiest book you ever read

[MellowBird85]

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 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

[cheesewitheverything]

Another vote here for The Secret History (Donna Tartt) partly because it's about the start of the academic year at the start, then moves into a vividly portrayed snowy winter. It's also a real page turner once you start on it, so you'll be all cosy reading it for a while.

[Coldhandscoldheart]

Mary Wesley is another who writes fairly comforting sorts of books.

[dementedma]

Yet another vote for Rosamund Pilcher. The Shell Seekers is lovely.
Elizabeth Goudge The City of Bells is also very cosy

[FFSDH]

I’m rereading The Children’s Book at the moment. Lots of lovely descriptions of Bohemian Victorian family homes etc. Although I’m not that far in and I think it gets fairly trenchy later on.

[whenweallfallasleep]

What a lovely thread. My favourite place is a window seat in a coffee shop in a city reading in the winter

Have you read The Snow Child? It's gorgeous, set in Alaska, a bit magical, completely addictive

[NextTrainGoesToBEROWRA]

The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch.

Two (completely separate) male friends, and I (female ladywoman), coincidentally happened to read it around the same time. We all thought it was great!

Also. The Mystery of Mercy Close by Marian Keyes.

[VittysCardigan]

I think i might stash some of these suggestions, along with some chocolate in a box ready for a rainy day.

[StumpyinSomerset]

Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher. I read it every winter.

[Orangepear]

I Capture the Castle.

[Brittany2019]

Jeeves and Wooster. Nothing cosier than Jeeves.

I remember The Hand that First Held Mine being quite cosy as well, although I can’t remember why I thought that.

[DisgruntledGuineaPig]

I think one of the problems with autumnal feeling books, is that Halloween means theres a temptation to make books set in autumn get a bit scary /spooky, winter cosy books are easier !

[NextTrainGoesToBEROWRA]

Sorry the ones I suggested aren’t autumnal, but they’re good for a cosy read.

[Pinkarsedfly]

I Capture The Castle
Fingersmith
Northern Lights
Stardust

[rosegoldwatcher]

@Coldhandscoldheart - Stella Gibbons wrote Cold Comfort Farm as an 'antidote' to Precious Bane, which she hated!
"I saw something nasty in the woodpile!"

[managedmis]

James Herriot

[Pinkarsedfly]

Also

Tom’s Midnight Garden
Danny the Champion of the World
A Christmas Carol
Goodnight Mr Tom
Olive Kitteridge
The Amateur Marriage
Northanger Abbey

[RubySlippers77]

Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor. Similar to Gone with the Wind but set in England in the 1600s. Such a good read!

[JuneSpoon]

I came on to recommend Rosamund Pilcher!

[cosytoaster]

Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher. I read it every winter.

Came on to recommend this

[Cynara]

The Wideacre Trilogy by Philippa Gregory? Historical fiction, gripping and evocative. They're on my re-read list for autumn/winter.

[IrishMamaMia]

Little Women! It's the ultimate cosy book. The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell is one for older kids but is lovely, wintery and a bit of a fairytale. Sarah Waters, already mentioned for her cosy historical settings and any ghost stories :)

[Spudlet]

Coming Home by Rosamund Pilcher. Love it.

[NemesisThen]

Anything by Milly Johnson but my personal favourites are
Here come the girls
Sunshine over Wildflower Cottage
The Yorkshire Pudding Club

[AuntieDolly]

Alexander McCall Smith 44 Scotland street books are very cosy, but quite intelligent too

[Claphands]

When you say cosy The Seafront tearooms by Vanessa Greene springs to mind, it’s a lovely read and one I’d read again.