Monday, November 28, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: Defining a Cozy Read

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely Jana at The Artsy Reader Girl.

I devoted a significant amount of my reading this year to cozy reading, gravitating towards books that would take me out of my reality for awhile because, well, it's been a rough year and that's what my soul needed most. For this week's Top Ten Tuesday topic, I am sharing some of the qualities that define a cozy read for me (alone or in combination). 


Magic ~ I cannot resist a book with an element of the paranormal or the supernatural. Especially if there's a witch.  

Romance ~ There is something to be said for the predictability of a romance novel, which is comforting. I also just really like to lose myself in the story of people falling in love and overcoming obstacles to be together, whether internal or external.

Humor ~ A little bit of humor can make all the difference. A book that makes me laugh out loud is great, but I am happy with just a chuckle or smile too. I love a good witty narrator or dialogue. 

Quirky or Eccentric Characters ~ This really depends on the type of the book, but sometimes quirky or eccentric characters offer a sense of levity to a scene or two. Not to mention they can be fun and interesting. 

Mystery ~ These days it's cozy mysteries (bookish and/or paranormal are my favorites) with the small town amateur sleuth, violence off the page, but sometimes I find comfort in something more intense with high suspense. Oh, and I can't forget historical mysteries, another favorite cozy read of mine.

Light-Hearted ~ I do not mind serious topics in a cozy read. Many take them on, in fact. It's a matter of how much and how they are handled that make a difference. I really like books that make me drown in or strongly bring out my emotions, but when I want a cozy read, those are not the books I am drawn to most. 

Holiday Themed ~ These types of books often fall into the sentimental and feel good category--and for good reason. 

Middle Grade Novels ~ The characters are often young and hopeful and can tackle any problem that comes their way (not without a struggle, of course). Plus, they tend to be fast reads. 

Happy Endings ~ Or happy for now, at least. I do not always need a happy ending (it depends on the book), but one of the things that makes a book a cozy read for me is the expectation that whatever conflicts that arise will be resolved. Like with romance, there's a predictability in that which is comforting. 

Atmosphere ~ I live in the wrong climate and location for my perfect cozy reading setting (sitting on a glider on a covered porch overlooking the lake and mountains, rain falling steadily). In lieu of that, I will take the comfort of the couch in my home library, surrounded by my books, my snuggly blanket across my lap, the windows open letting in a nice breeze, sunlight streaming in, and the cats keeping me company.


What qualities defines a cozy read for you? Do you have any recommendations?


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48 comments:

  1. I find for me that cozy reads (outside of cozy mysteries), tend to help me relax, smile, and feel better about society for a while. I know when I've read a few, I've felt my shoulders relax and the smile is a little more forthecoming.

    Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
    https://readbakecreate.com/cozy-gift-ideas-for-book-lovers/

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    1. Pam - Yes, all of those things! Thank you for visiting.

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  2. I agree with lighthearted and atmosphere! I think for mysteries, cosy mysteries tend not to dwell on the gory/disturbing parts of the death but focus more on the hook of the book (e.g. bookshop, knitting, small town life).

    Cosy is really more of a state of mind/mood for me!

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    1. Eustacia - Ultimately, I think that's true--it comes down to a state of mind or mood. And yes, one of the draws to cozy mysteries is that they don't focus on the death as much as they do other aspects of the story or theme. Thank you for stopping by.

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  3. I love your list and yes, I will also tick all these boxes under cozies. You can start writing your own cozy! Go for it!!!

    I did very much the same today, I just went with only the elements for a cozy murder mystery.

    Great to see you at TTT!

    Elza Reads

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    1. Mareli (& Elza) - Haha! I think with your cozy mystery kit, we both could write a good cozy read. :-) Thank you for visiting.

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  4. I love happy endings, too!

    My post: https://lydiaschoch.com/top-ten-tuesday-cozy-reads/

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    1. Lydia - They leave me smiling when I finish the last page. I hadn't thought of poetry, but I definitely think that should be on the list too. You came up with a great list! Thank you for visiting.

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  5. Humor, mystery and middle grade books-- my personal favorites! I am wondering if you've read Megan Whalen Turner's books? I love those for exactly this blend. ~Lex (lexlingua.co)

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    1. Lex - I haven't tried Megan Whalen Turner, but I will have to since you recommend them! Thank you!

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  6. I love all these in a cozy read as well. Great list!

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    1. Kami - Thank you! I enjoy a good cozy read. :-) Thank you for stopping by.

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  7. Great take of the topic! I agree with your cozy elements. Atmosphere/setting plays a big part for me.

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    1. Tanya - Thank you! Settings really do make a difference, don't they? Thank you for visiting.

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  8. Romance, humor, and holiday themed books will usually catch my eye...especially holiday themed books. Thanks for sharing these cozy
    book elements.

    https://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2022/11/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-books-with-cozy.html

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    1. Cheryl - It's nice to settle in with a cozy from time to time. Thank you for stopping by.

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  9. I agree with your 10 points of cosy ☺️.

    Have a great week!

    Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
    My post:
    https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2022/11/29/top-ten-tuesday-cosy-reads/

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    1. Emily - You came up with a great list of cozy reads yourself! Thank you for visiting.

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  10. Great analysis and I agree with almost all the points. However, those aren't often what I look for in a book. I rarely actually find humor, even in a book touted as hilarious, but I do like something more lighthearted every once in a while. I've often wondered why my preference is more to the dark side? But, dark side with heart! :) Thanks for the visit.
    Terrie @ Bookshelf Journeys

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    1. Terrie - Thank you. Hilarious isn't something I find in a lot of books, but a chuckle or a giggle, I sometimes find--even if not always intended by the author. I enjoy other types of books too but cozy reads seem to be appeal to me most right now given my state of mind. Thank you for stopping by.

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  11. Love your list! I'm always looking for a little humor and a happy ending in cozy reads. :)

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    1. Ashley - As long as they make us smile. :-) Thank you for visiting.

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  12. I love how you defined your version of cozy! I do love books with humor and leave you feeling good! I am currently reading Authentically, Izzy and it would be (in my opinion) a cozy read!!

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    1. I will definitely have to check out Authentically, Izzy. I was just reading a description of it today and it sounds right up my alley. Thank you for stopping by.

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  13. What a fun take on the topic. I love all the things you included.

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    1. Mary - There may be one out there you would like. I think most of the books you blog about fall in my comfort category as opposed to cozy--but that's just by my personal definition. I need them both in my life. :-) Thank you for visiting.

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  15. What a great list! I love so many of these same things in a book, too. Especially romance, humor, magic and myster. :D

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    1. Lark - They make for great reads. :-) Thank you for stopping by.

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  16. I agree with everything you said about mysteries- I'm the same way! I love cozies sometimes but then other times I want more of a thriller. Holiday themed as well- especilally this time of year.

    Hope you are doing well. and had a good holiday!

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    1. Greg - Although lately I seem to be more into cozy mysteries than thrillers, I do enjoy thrillers too. Sometimes I need something more intense that I can't read fast enough to find out what happens next. I haven't yet been in the mood to pick up a holiday themed book--hopefully I will read at least one this season. It seems wrong not to! Thank you for visiting.

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  17. I love this list. I like to know why something is cozy.

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  18. So nice to see you posting. I love what you did with this topic and all of these are cozy for me as well. :)

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  19. Suzanne - I enjoyed coming up with a list for this one. You listed some great cozy reads on your post. Thank you for visiting.

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  20. I'm sorry you've had a tough year. I hope 2023 treats you better than 2022 has.

    I also live in the wrong environment for true cozy reading. Arizona's just too dang hot most of the time! It's cool here now, though, so I've been enjoying reading under a warm, fuzzy blanket lately. It's lovely.

    Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!

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    1. Susan - Thank you. I hope so too.

      I don't know if I would like a snowy climate, but I do enjoy these cooler days when I can curl up under a blanket and read.

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  21. A cosy read for me is anything that I can curl up under a blanket with on a cold day.....so basically whatever I happen to be reading at the time!
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2022/11/29/top-ten-tuesday-396/

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  22. Jo - I read cozy reads all year long so cold weather doesn't quite cover it for me, but maybe if you count hot days with freezing air conditioned conditions inside. LOL

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  23. I agree with all of these! I especially love wintery romances or cozy mysteries. It doesn't get super cold here (and I'm not complaining!) so I can kind of vicariously have snow days through books.

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    1. Katherine - It doesn't snow at all here and so I really have to live vicariously through cozy reads set in the winter time. :-)

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  24. I agree with everything you said. These are all the types of books that make me want to curl up under a blanket and read.

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  25. I love what you look for, it is the same for me, but not a lot of magic or witched. My cozy atmosphere is out in the sun when weather permits and cuddled up by the fireplace in the winter. When I read non-fiction, historical fiction or thrillers, I need cozy reads in between.

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    1. Carla - Sitting outdoors in the sun is cozy too. :-) I'm a lot like you. I generally like to mix up my more serious reading with the cozy or lighter reads.

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