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Cozy Books to Read Fireside
Cold-weather reading calls for a hot beverage and one of these feel-good picks.
Published on February 10, 2022
Eight Perfect Hours: A Novel
Lia LouisWhen Noelle Butterby finds herself stranded in her car during a blizzard, a handsome samaritan nearby offers to keep her company until help arrives in the morning. Sparks fly while the snow falls, but this isn’t your typical sickly sweet rom-com. “Eight Perfect Hours” features relatable characters and a love story full of twists, turns, and heartwarming reveals.
The Book in Room 316
ReShonda Tate Billingsley“The Book in Room 316” is about the lives of three people who stay in the same hotel room on consecutive days and how they’re affected by a book in the room’s bedside table. Unafraid to tackle real-life issues, Billingsley’s novel about having faith in the face of adversity offers a heartbreaking but beautiful message for these trying times.
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot: A Novel
Marianne CroninWhen 17-year-old Lenni is diagnosed with a terminal illness and meets an elderly patient at the hospital’s arts and crafts class, the last thing she expects is to relearn everything she thought she knew about being alive. This funny and captivating story about the preciousness of life, the courage it takes to live it well, and how we influence those around us after we’re gone is perfect if you’re overdue for a good cry.
Good Eggs: A Novel
Rebecca HardimanRebecca Hardiman’s novel about a dysfunctional, but loving, Irish family told from multiple points of view shows the relatable dramas of teenagedom, midlife crises, and elder stages of life. If you enjoyed “A Man Called Ove” or can relate to “The Golden Girls,” you’ll love this story about the power of unconditional love.
Oona Out of Order: A Novel
Margarita MontimoreWhen midnight strikes on December 31st, 1982, Oona Lockhart faints and wakes up 32 years in the future. Even stranger, it happens again, and Oona begins to leap to an unknown year in her life every midnight on New Year’s Eve, forcing her to live her life out of order. What ensues is a magical journey through decades, fads, music, and technology that brings you along for the ride.
When We Were Vikings
Andrew David MacDonaldIn this honest portrayal of existing at the intersection of poverty, sexism, and disability, twenty-one-year-old Zelda and her older brother and caretaker, Gert, are easy to fall in love with. When Gert gets into trouble, Zelda gathers the courage — by invoking her beloved Viking code — to help her brother. This sentimental tale is perfect for fans of the bestseller (and Tony Award-winning play) “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.”
Shiver (Shiver, Book 1)
Maggie StiefvaterGrace has always been fascinated by the wolves living in the woods behind her house, especially the one with golden eyes. What she doesn’t know is when spring arrives — the time these wolves are able to transform into humans — the golden-eyed beauty is fascinated by her, too. If you miss “Twilight” and being on Team Jacob, you’ll find much to love about the “Wolves of Mercy Falls” trilogy, a bittersweet coming-of-age tale that seamlessly blends sci-fi, mystery, and romance.
On Animals
Susan OrleanOrlean has taken readers on deep dives into the intriguing worlds of everything from orchids to libraries to Saturday nights. Now she turns her curious gaze on animals. As long as we’ve shared the planet with animals, they’ve been our dinner, our companions, our employees, and more. In this fascinating collection, the treasured raconteur travels from backyards to the backcountry uncovering compelling animal-human connections.
Piglet: The Unexpected Story of a Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy and His Family
Melissa ShapiroWhen veterinarian Melissa Shapiro and her family foster a tiny, traumatized, deaf and blind puppy named Piglet and transform him into a confident and healthy dog, they have to figure out how to permanently make room for this new family member. This delightful “Marley & Me”-esque story is funny, heartwarming, and all about second chances.
I Am a Girl from Africa
Elizabeth NyamayaroAt age eight, suffering from malnourishment after a severe drought hit her village in Zimbabwe, Elizabeth Nyamayaro was given food from a United Nations aid worker who’d forever change the course of her life. Now a senior advisor at the United Nations, Nyanmayaro shares her incredible life story in an inspiring and soulful memoir that demonstrates ubuntu, the concept of being rooted in community, that fuels much of her work.
Cosy: The British Art of Comfort
Laura WeirAnglophiles know that if the Brits have perfected anything besides dry humor and a good cup of tea, it’s the art of getting cozy. Short, sweet, and inspiring, Weir’s guide offers insightful tips for achieving peak coziness, complete with interviews from British lifestyle experts on the quieter bits of life.
The Comfort Food Diaries: My Quest for the Perfect Dish to Mend a Broken Heart
Emily NunnWhen former New Yorker editor Emily Nunn found herself single and homeless, she posted a plea for help. Countless friends and family all over the country offered her a place to stay and suggested she cook with them as she put her life back together. In this deeply emotional memoir, Nunn shares the hard-earned wisdom she learned about community and the healing powers of preparing meals together.