As we head into the fall season, our schedules are sure to pick up with school work, functions, and extracurricular activities. Sometimes, you just need something easy, fun, and light to read to take your mind off things. I’ve put together a list that I hope will allow you to get cozy, relax, and enjoy!
The Pumpkin Spice Cafe & The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
Starting off strong with the first two books in this cozy, small-town romance series by Laurie Gilmore. I don’t know about you, but when I saw the author’s name, I immediately read Lorelei Gilmore from the cult classic TV series Gilmore Girls. These books might not take place in the infamous Stars Hollow, but this fictional town is named Dream Harbor, which is just as charming. These two books are trending online and were once only available as ebooks, but your physical book girlie picked up both of these in the bookstore recently. Book three, The Christmas Tree Farm, will hit bookstore shelves on October 22nd. Book four, The Strawberry Patch Pancake House, will be released on April 22, 2025.
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer
Meet the Indianapolis Moms’ September Book Club selection, The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer. This magical book is inspired by the author’s love of C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. Meg’s books bring back the magic of childhood fairytales, and she delivers it in a lovely story for adults. Read along with us, and we will meet at Liter House to discuss it together on Wednesday, September 25th, at 7 p.m.
Next up are two cozy mystery novels that are the first in their series. During the month of October, the Indy Moms Book Club is doing a choose-your-own cozy mystery month. At our “choose your own” book club meetings, we talk about what books we read, what we liked, and what we didn’t like, and of course, our talks are spoiler-free. These two books are my top cozy mysteries to recommend to anyone who wants to try out the genre!
Murder in the Mystery Suite by Ellery Adams
I can’t quite remember how I got into the cozy mysteries, but this was the first book that hooked me. It takes place in rural Virginia at a bed and breakfast called Storyton Hall. The B&B is themed to please any and all book lovers who just want a quiet escape. The owner of Storyton Hall hosts a “murder and mayhem” week to bring in fans of the mystery genre for a week of fun. However, someone ends up dead…for real. It might sound strange to say it was a delightful read, but honestly, it was. After I finished, I made it my mission to collect every book in the series from secondhand shops. Also, I highly recommend getting your reading friends together for a weekend getaway…hopefully, one that isn’t full of murderous shenanigans.
Shady Hollow by Juneau Black
This series is honestly the cutest thing I’ve ever read as an adult. It’s quirky and charming, and I don’t know how anyone couldn’t fall in love with these characters. Shady Hollow is a little village where woodland creatures live harmoniously together until one day, the curmudgeonly toad is found dead and maybe not by natural causes. Not to worry, Vera Vixen, yep she’s a fox, starts investigating and is determined to uncover the truth. You have to trust me on this one. You’ll fall in love!
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
I wanted to get nonfiction on this list, and this is the perfect one as we head into the changing seasons. Robin Wall Kimmerer is an indigenous botanist who brings together science and the knowledge and practices of indigenous culture. This book explores the relationship between the land and the people. It’s a quiet, slow, beautiful book meant for you to take your time with. One of my favorite quotes is, “We were also given the responsibility to care for the land. What people forget is that means participating – that the natural world relies on us to do good things.”
Minerva by M.C. Beaton
Bridgerton lovers, Minerva by M.C. Beaton is book one in a lovely regency romance in the Six Sisters series! Minerva is the eldest daughter about to have her London debut, but she has a habit of speaking her mind. Does this remind anyone else of a certain famous Jane Austen character? This short, simple, and sweet book is sure to delight readers who are here for a quick, page-turner. They might be hard to find in print, but they are available as ebooks on multiple platforms. Kindle girlies, that means you!
The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
Cozy fantasy is having a moment in the world of books, and this one is brand new. Do you love fantasy? Romance? Spellbooks? Cottagecore and jam? This book is for you! Kiela is a librarian who would rather spend time with books than people. When the library goes up in flames, Kiela saves as many spellbooks as she can and flees to the island where she was born. But the island needs saving. Reading this wholesome story will feel like a warm, cozy hug mixed with magic.
The Moonlight Market by Joanne Harris
This one made the list because of the cover and the vibes it gives off. I saw it on the library shelf and picked it up immediately, knowing it might be a great addition. And it absolutely is! Tom, a photographer in London, walks the streets taking photos of small, insignificant moments. He falls in love with Vanessa, who leads a double life and leads him to an alternate world, hiding in plain sight. This book is described as a modern fairytale that will enchant readers. I agree. *adds to tbr*
I hope you find a cozy book to escape into this fall. Happy reading, friends!
