This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about cozy reads or atmospheric reads. I don’t tend to gravitate toward the cozy fantasy genre, but let’s see what I can dredge up from my reading or finished-reading pile. The first five are books I’ve read. The second five are books I haven’t read.
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
Cozy Reads
A MIDWINTER’S TAIL by Lili Hayward: I read and reviewed this book and it definitely fits the bill of atmospheric. It’s more of a winter atmospheric read rather than one for autumn, but I recommend it anyway. “A town in need. An extraordinary cat. A season for miracles…“
THE FAERIE MORGANA by Louisa Morgan: I read this Arthurian retelling recently and loved the languid pace and magical feel of the story. You can read my review here.
HALF SICK OF SHADOWS by Laura Sebastian: Speaking of atmospheric Arthurian retellings, this is another one. This one broke my heart even though from the very beginning the reader knows what will happen. I have a review for this one as well.
THE TELLER OF SMALL FORTUNES by Julie Leong: This is cozy in the sense that it’s about a small group of people who come together as found family, so to speak. It’s relatively low stakes. “A wandering fortune teller finds an unexpected family in this cozy fantasy debut…”
THE CITY OF STARDUST by Georgia Summers: This is more atmospheric than cozy in the sense that it feels like an old fairytale being told to the reader. I saw some mixed reviews at first, but ended up enjoying it a lot.
HOW TO LOSE A GOBLIN IN TEN DAYS by Jessie Sylva: “the cozy tale of a halfling and a goblin who must learn to love each other despite their differences. Called “an adorable delight!” (Sarah Beth Durst), this novel is brimming with popular romance tropes and warmth and is perfect for fans of The Honey Witch and The Spellshop.”
LEGENDS AND LATTES by Travis Baldree: I feel like this needs no introduction since it circulates the fantasy book sphere often!
SWORDHEART by T. Kingfisher: “The delightful charm of The Princess Bride meets the delicious bodyguard romance of From Blood and Ash in this cozy fantasy romance from New York Times bestselling author T. Kingfisher”
THE DROWNED WOODS by Emily Lloyd-Jones: This one sounds pretty atmospheric! “In this magical, ethereal fantasy novel from the bestselling author of The Bone Houses a crew led by a magic welding woman fight to take down the overpowered prince that used and abused them.“
THE CAT OF YULE COTTAGE by Lili Hayward: I have this one on my Kindle. Like Hayward’s other book I mentioned earlier, this looks more like a cozy winter book. “A magical tale of Christmas and cats, perfect for everyone who loves A Street Cat Named Bob and Alfie the Doorstep Cat.“
Are any of these Top Ten Tuesday cozy reads on your TBR? Or have you read any of these books?
Nice selection! I agree with The Faerie Morgana and The Teller of Small Fortunes, the slower pace contributes to the cozy feel. I also hope to read How to Lose a Goblin in Ten Days, and I’m eyeing The Cat of Yule Cottage, I love the cover!
I almost decided to read The Cat of Yule Cottage this month, but held off! 🙂
Love your list! We have a couple of matches.
Just had a look at yours and I see the matches! I also thought about putting Water Moon on here, too. I might actually read that next month, we’ll see.
Ooh, I don’t see The Drowned Woods mentioned often but I love Emily-Lloyd Jones’ books! They’re very atmospheric and despite the mythology being slightly darker YA, it’s somehow still very cosy 🙂 Great list!
That’s what I’ve heard about Lloyd-Jones’s books! One day I’ll get around to reading it…I’ve had it for several years now, whoops!
The Faerie Morgana is a good one!! I forgot about that one. I have seen that Kingfisher on a few lists. I’ll have to check it out!
Kingfisher? Interesting! Maybe those fall more in the atmospheric descriptor. Though the middle grade book about the bakery might be more cozy-ish.
Yes, that same book! It must. I haven’t read anything by the author yet. I know, I know. haha. I will soon!
I have How to Lose a Goblin coming up soon and I’m looking forward to it!
I hope you enjoy it! I haven’t downloaded it yet, but intend to at some point.