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

[BreconBeBuggered]

My recommendation isn't fiction, but I picked up a copy of All Teachers Great And Small by Andy Seed in a library sale. I thought it would be handy to read in the bath, what with the plastic cover. It started off as if it was going to be a bit earnest and well-meaning, I thought, but actually it's really warm and funny, and I'll be buying the follow-ups.
The James Herriot books are also pretty cosy reading, now I come to think of it.

[DarlingNikita]

I recently read a James Herriot, for the first time since childhood (when I read them voraciously). It was still a delight and I was amazed that I remembered some passages word for word, despite me being in my 40s now.

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Another non-fiction recommendation - My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. Would be particularly nice to read about hot weather and sunshine as the nights draw in and gales descend over the next few weeks.

A recommendation for funny rather than cosy, but I've always loved Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith. Very, very funny and beautifully observed.

Another whodunnit writer who epitomises cosy for me - Patricia Wentworth. I've got lots of her books in paperback, picked up at jumble sales and the like over many years. No idea if they're still in print or available on Kindle.

Finally, I've re-read all the Swallows and Amazons books many times. I adore them. Everything is always all right in the end. That's my definition of cosy.

[LadyCarolinePooterVonThigh]

Gaspode I am thrilled to meet a fellow Patricia Wentworth fan! My local library has many of them as ebooks, but they are often free or 99p on Kindle. Yes, of course, to Diary of a Nobody! A much misunderstood man lol.

I have gradually acquired most of Georgette Heyer's books in hardback, my old paperbacks having disintegrated over the years. Satisfaction guaranteed, and two adult DD also big fans! (BTW, DH has all his Swallows and Amazon Books still....)

I have regular re reads of Dorothy Sayers. My perfect cosy one is The Nine Tailors, with the bleak winter landscape. Perfect for reading by the fire!

What a lovely thread. Thanks OP.

[LadyCarolinePooterVonThigh]

Silly autocorrect, Amazons not Amazon!

[LadyCarolinePooterVonThigh]

books not Books! Grr.

[MargotMoon]

@Pinkarsedfly

I Capture The Castle
Fingersmith
Northern Lights
Stardust

I bloody love 3/4 of your suggestions so have just ordered the one I haven't read off eBay (I Capture the Castle)

[Pinkarsedfly]

You’ll love it, MargotMoon

[Pinkarsedfly]

Thanks to this thread, I have a new favourite to add to my list. I read Frenchman’s Creek in one day on Sunday. Such escapism - I loved it!

[VittysCardigan]

The Bear & the Nightingale by Katherine Arden or The Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett

[Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g]

Frenchman's Creek is great. Haven't read it for a long time. I thought it was the epitome of romance when I was a teen.

LadyCaroline, I've never read any Georgette Heyer - maybe I should address that.

[milliefiori]

Silas Marner
I Capture the Castle
Chocolat

[user1487194234]

I re read Maeve Binchey when looking for a comfort read
Or. a Penny Vincenzi

[Deathraystare]

Moomin land Midwinter. Still love it. Best enjoyed snuggled up in your duvet with a cuppa and some choccies!

[DarlingNikita]

Deathraystare, oh yes, it's wonderful! (well, all the Moomin books are).

[ScreamingValenta]

Any of the Sherlock Holmes books - I prefer the short stories to the novels, but they're all good for autumn - London fog outside, and Holmes and Watson cosy in their Baker Street flat!

[TimeIhadaNameChange]

I've had a stressful time recently and been finding it hard to get into books for over a year.

The ones that have had me snuggling up recently have been Louise Penny's Three Pines series. There are things about them that annoy me but on the whole I think they're magic. I love the fact they occassionally have me laughing out loud.

[justrestinginmybankaccount]

It has to be Cider With Rosie.

[Lydia777]

I agree with lots of the recommendations so far. Another essential author: Fannie Flagg. 'Welcome to the World Baby Girl' and 'A Redbird Christmas' are just so cosy!

[CoolCarrie]

The Mapp and Lucia books are a treat, very wry and the old tv series with Prunella Scales and Geraldine McEwan is prefect winter viewing
There is a sequel to Miss Buncle’s Book which is worth reading. Cranford is also lovely, like hot chocolate on a rainy day.

[managedmis]

I really need to get back into reading

[thatmustbenigelwiththebrie]

I Capture the Castle. It's my go to book for coziness. I read it every year.

[HeartshapedFox]

Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell

Very cosy but a bit of a commitment Cos it’s bloody massive! I thoroughly enjoyed it though.

[Elllicam]

I third D E Stevenson. I also love Susan Scarlett (Noel Streatfield’s pseudonym). Very gentle romances but definitely with Noel Streatfield’s voice. O Douglas is also great, very cosy books generally set in southern Scotland.

[TheSandman]

@Chottie

The Painted Garden was by Noel Streatfeild.

Nesbit wrote a book called The Wonderful Garden.

Which did you mean?


I've not read the Streatfield but the Nesbit is a lovely book. I'm chuffed to own a first edition which I stole it from a pub that was using it as a bit of shabby-chic decoration with a load of other 'bought by the yard' old books... My need was greater than theirs.