What are cosy fictional books and why are we all obsessed with them?
Readers are turning to a particular kind of story: warm, low-stakes, and deeply comforting. Enter cosy fiction, books that feel like a soft blanket and a cup of tea on a rainy afternoon. But what is cosy fiction, exactly? It’s not a genre in itself; it’s more of a vibe. Cosy books are defined by gentle pacing, heartwarming themes, and a focus on personal connection over high drama. There may be challenges and tension, but they’re usually resolved with kindness, wit, or baked goods. The goal isn’t to shock or stress the reader, it’s to offer a safe, satisfying escape.

Why are they gaining in popularity?
The rise of cosy fiction isn’t random. Over the last few years, people have had enough of doomscrolling, true crime, and apocalyptic headlines. Cosy fiction offers the opposite: a soothing world where small joys matter and people are mostly decent to each other. Social media has also helped, #cozybooks and #cozyreadingnook trends have brought entire communities together to swap titles and aesthetic setups. Add in the TikTok and rise of genres like cozy fantasy and gentle murder mysteries, and you’ve got a literary movement that’s as comforting as it is popular.

Find some cosy fiction below in different genres!