I don't read much wholesome books.... But one that I absolutely loved was Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. At this point it's become a comfort read to me. I re-read it often. I hesitate to recommend Diana Wynne Jones' books though... Because in the companion novels to Howl's Moving Castle she is blatantly fatphobic. It's horrible to read. So yeah, only recommend book 1.
I would recommend Remarkably Bright Creatures. It's very character driven and has an element of mystery to it that makes it hard to put down. The story has strong themes of grief, aging and second chances but it never gets too dark. Overall I just found it to be a very comforting, fun story and the narrators of the audiobook I listened to did an excellent job. 10/10
I liked few boks of the " gang des dentiers" french translation of Catharina Ingelmann-Sundberg books about an elderly criminals. The one I haven't read yet but has a potential is "La guerre des papilles" by Lucie Castel, I like her crime novels she writes under Oren Miller's name so there is a chance I like this one from outside my comfort zone.
Little update: I'm halfway through "the very secret society..." and so far it's adorable! I'm 80% into "the thursday murder club" and I take it back. I'm enjoying it!
Cozy books i loved: - house in the cerulean sea - under the whispering door - the very secret society of irregular witches - a man called ove - heartstopper - a castle in the clouds by kerstin gier - the door-to-door bookstore by carsten henn (and his other book der geschichtenbäcker, which is not translated in english yet) - my grandmother asked me to tell you shes sorry - The keeper of lost things by ruth hogan - bad karma and bad karma 2 by david safier - not translated: der club der traumtänzer by andreas izquierdo, der schatz des herrn isakowitz by danny wattin Books that are not necessarily cozy but have a vibe - gallant - the invisible life of addie larue - the night circus - the starless sea - the nature of witches - strange the dreamer - the girl who drank the moon - hotel magnifique - sweet and bitter magic - city of ghosts My hopefuls - aj fikry - legends and lattes - the last chance library - the ladies of the secret circus - the circus train - the cat who saved books - howls moving castle - paris by starlight - the ten thousand doors of january
I love Kerstin Gier. Until now I only read Für jede Lösung ein Problem and In Wahrheit wird viel mehr gelogen (I think, the one with the inheritance), also the Stone trilogy. But I love her writing. Backman I love, A man called Ove and the Grandmother one. TJ Klune is on my TBR.
I am nearly finished with a cozy mystery series it’s called The Lady Hardcastle mysteries. It’s set in the early 19th century, two female former spies retire and move to a small country village. Then spend their retirement solving mysteries. It’s funny and sweet and very big on the small town vibes. The mysteries are fairly unique and kept my attention.
Cackle by Rachel Harrison! It’s a “wholesome horror” which doesn’t sound like it makes sense but it does! Ralph the tarantula is so freakin adorable too ❤
I’m with you on this! It takes a very special book to give me the wholesome feels. I don’t like books like The Book Thief, where the author is clearly pulling very specific strings to try to elicit a very specific response. I call them “Christmas shoes” books because they’re just like that manipulative song, to me. Maybe I’m a Grinch too!
I read Cackle last week and I think you might like it ! It's a witchy book, with strong female characters and a tiny bit of horror. Oh, and it's set in a small town !! You should definitely give it a try :))
Legends & Lattes was such cozy fun. I flew through it and wish there was more! And I agree about the Becky Chambers Monk and Robot books. Those are the ones that immediately jumped to mind when I saw the "wholesome" video title. Those books beg to be read and reread while wrapped in a fluffy blanket with a hot cup of tea. I think of T. Kingfisher's books as generally pretty wholesome and cozy as well... especially some of her earlier (not horror) work. And come to think of it I also think of the Murderbot Diaries this way to. I really like how it explores issues around identify, individual autonomy and isolation.
I love you “grumpy vibes”, I laughed so hard with your comments!! I need to keep reading to Becky Chambers, I’ve only read one of her books and loved it! 🤗
I love Matt Haig, the two books you mentioned are well loved faves on my bookshelf so I was so pleased to see them on this list cause they are absolutely the epitome of wholesome to me. I've been struggling to find more books that make me feel and contemplate like his writing does, and as soon as I saw this video suggested I had to click it! And I completely agree that midnight library counts on this list. It had some solemn themes but the way you go along the journey is definitely wholesome. Am looking forward to checking out some of the other books you mentioned here!
I'm not sure if you've read the Murderbot series by Martha Wells, but I loved it and I'm not usually into sci-fi, but I would consider this a feel-good sci-fi mystery series.
You might hate this book but I have read it several times and I always cry at the end. If you ever read the Anne of Green Gables series this book is written by the same author. The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I don't usually like fluff romantic books but this one gets me every time. I just enjoy it because it's an easy read. I read mostly thrillers, horror, and political and social science books. Heavy, downer stuff and sometimes I just need a break.
One I can think of is A Pho Love story. Coming on age story about to Vietnamese teens. Super cute and has a lot of good food references since they both come from families who own restaurants
I'm seconding everyone who has recommended The House in the Cerulean Sea, I think you'll like the humor in that one, and all the kids are soo adorable! I also think Stardust by Neil Gaiman was sweet, but it's not my favorite of his. Other than that, I'm a sucker for Rick Riordan's writing, especially his Percy Jackson books
Hi, Emily! I've watched your videos for years and lately something about you seems happier and free an joyful to watch! Might be just me projecting, but wanted to say your videos have been making me extra happier lately c: PD. What about House on the Cerulean Sea!
Thank you for this list ❤ there’s not a lot of lists I can find about cozy lighthearted books. Some of these were already on my tbr but I’m glad to know your thoughts on them 😊
I’ve had A Man Called Ove for so long and i haven’t read it. I got it because I absolutely loved My Grandmother Told Me to Tell you She’s Sorry by the same author. It was so sweet. I’m so glad you posted this 😊
I have a love of Japanese translations and your mention of The Travelling Cat Chronicles (as well as Becky Chambers' To Be Taught if Fortunate) had me immediately looking it up and seeing if a local small bookstore had it. They said they do, so I'm going right now. I need some feel good books.
I loved Legends and Lattes, and love everything Becky Chambers. Other books I've loved that somehow are in that wheelhouse (at least in my mind) are The Goblin Emperor, all things Murderbot, and the Ancillary Justice books (Imperial Radch?) In the non-fantasy or sci-fi, you may already have on you radar as they're not new, but Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. Have you read the James Herriot books? They're just classic. Another suggestion that's newer: What You Can See from Here by Mariana Leky. ETA: Someone downthread mentioned All the Lonely People. YES.
I agree wi the Humans by Matt Craig, but I didn’t like Midnight Library at all, I felt in was “infantile” and repetitive. Another older ladies Murder mystery is The Marlow Murders Club by Robert Thorogood. That one worked for me. Have you read Finlay Donovan IsKilling It by Elle Cosimano? Super fun but hold all expectations of depth. Mr.Flood’s Last Resort by Jess Kidd is also cozy wholesome with humour; I was invested in that one! Also, Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley as well! I hope you will enjoy some of these. ❤
When I saw this on your list of videos to make I couldn't wait. I've been reading many dark thrillers (though, favorites- and scary stories too!) It's always good to throw in a cozy non threatening book, too! 🙃😉🤭 xx
THANK YOU! I just finished Killers of a Certain Age and I thought it would make a great movie but doesn’t have enough depth to make a good book. Glad to know I’m not alone
I genuinely hate A Man Called Ove. It's so problematic but no one seems to care bc it's a grumpy white dude. lmao oh well. I'm am SO excited to read Legends and Lattes. It looks absolutely adorable. And I will recommend all of Becky Chambers books to anyone who will listen. I love them so damn much. Definitely my feel good go-to
@@BookswithEmilyFox @south west hah! Well I hope you're ready for a rant! 😅Spoilers ahead. One of my biggest problems was the animal cruelty. Whether or not he was going to hurt the dog he literally made a contraption to electrocute it! Umm... hard no from me. He was so mean to the cat always grabbing it, pushing it, yelling at it. The only reason he even helped a dying cat was because Parvaneh forced him to. He also has explosive anger. I can't imagine anyone being near someone who explodes with anger and not being absolutely terrified he'd become physical. That's not endearing that's abusive. In what universe would someone see Ove and think... ah I'm going to befriend him. So unrealistic. They made him WAY too unlikeable and frankly, borderline dangerous. Speaking of... he HOLDS A CHILD A GUNPOINT and we're not supposed to bat an eye? Even after he understands who is before him and why they are there Ove continues to hold them at gun point for way too long. Like put the gun down! What a psycho! And then we're just supposed to believe that the kid he just held a gunpoint is comfortable staying at this man's house overnight? Also, why Ove? Why not literally anyone else. It was sloppy writing on the author's part. He's fat phobic (calling a neighbour blubborous), uses slurs do talk about gays even though he "supports" them so using slurs is cute now I guess? He calls his neighbours idiots. There are so many different ways the author could have nurtured the connections between Ove and his neighbours but he chose ways that promote ignoring consent, bullying, and ways that felt contrived. People were made to look like imbeciles. Patrick was constantly ridiculed for not knowing how to do things; Adrian (a barista) has never encountered someone wanting black coffee before? Like, what?; The journalist was trapped in shed and passed off as an idiot as she talks calmly through the door (as if any woman getting trapped somewhere wouldn't immediately panic); Ove goes on and on about how he hates change and yet he's changed his car more times than just about anyone i've ever heard of. And Parvaneh was terrible. When Anita first comes to Ove's door to ask for help with the radiator he says no. Parvaneh gets upset and says he WILL do it. Just no. Ove does not owe anyone his time and labor. If he said no, he said no. UGH! Sorry... talking about this book makes me get riled up. If you read through all of that.. first of all thank you for hearing me out! And secondly, sorry for that ranting mess! lol I hate this book
Ove was an ass. Everyone raves about it but he was incredibly hard to care about. I expected a slightly cranky old man but he was unkind sometimes cruel. He also isn't that old so unsure why he gets such a pass for being such a nasty person to interact with. I'm okay with not so nice characters but I never really see people address his behavior or they excuse it away. We all have shit things happen in our lives but we aren't all going to take it out on the people around us. It was my first Backman and it put me right off for a long tine. I've now read more of his work and thankfully so far Ove was an anomaly.
I absolutely agree with Matt Haig's books being wholesome. Even with the darker subject matter. I love The Midnight Library and I enjoyed The Humans too ☺
I DNF’d Sweet Bean Paste and am feeling meh about The Thursday Murder Club (about 50% done). Wonder was very predictable and also was not a favorite. I loved The Midnight Library. I also liked The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley.
One I enjoyed in the "grumpy old men" genre is The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick, I also like the Library Lovers mystery series by Jenn McKiinlay.
I want to read Legends and Lattes so much! (Also your lipstick is 👌 Please tell me it's Maybelline coz I've been obsessed with the ink crayon lately and I want an excuse to buy another one 😆)
I am not a big fan of A Psalm for the Wild-Built, but A Prayer for the Crown-Shy is so cozy! The only Becky Chamber's book I think it is even warmer is The Galaxy, and the Ground Within. This one I really don't want to end. Two other books that I think were very wholesome were The House in the Cerulean Sea and Cackle.
The way you felt about Killers of a Certain Age….I felt the same way about Thursday Murder Club. I never felt invested in the mystery, and only cared about the characters a minimal amount. It was all of the steps of how they solved the murder without any insight into the process….which is the best part of a mystery imo. And I was so excited about it bc it had been hyped up so much! 😢
Very hit of miss for me too this genre. I often feel like a child (j'ai l'impression qu'on me fait la morale... sorry, can't find an equivalent in english)! Taking notes! I just bought Legends and Lattes... I'm gonna be reading it soon. I quite liked A.J. Fikry. And I'm often the Grinch too! Is the traveling cat chronicles translated as Mémoires d'un chat in French? I really liked that one.
Have you read Miriam Toews? I’m reading Fight Night right now, and oh my gosh it’s so funny, and sweet, but not to the point of being mushy, and the dialogue is so good. (I’m anticipating a heartbreaking end, though.)
The traveling cat chronicles I loved it so much and yess it will make you cry but it's wholesome def recommend and also everyone is an aliebn when your an aliebn to buy jomny sun graphic novel
Can't wait to read Legends and Lattes! It gives me vibes of my favorite book of all time, To Say Nothing of the Dog, by Connie Willis. The dog doesn't die, and neither does the cat :) I think you would like it!
How about Elizabeth Strout - there are the Olive Kitteridge books and the Lucy series. (Lucy Barton main character). I enjoy Elizabeth Berg for women’s fiction. An older series that’s coming of age which stood out to me was the Katie Nash series.. 3 books in that one.
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater! Did you ever read that one? I think the plot is actually a bit slow and I do think, objectively, it may not be the best book ever written but it's one of those books that doesn't have to be taken too seriously. It's really fun to follow the story and I loved the characters.
Nothing to do w/ this video, but, I read A Little Life because of your vlog and it devastated me. Now the play is on stage down the street from me & I'm wondering if I have the emotional fortitude to put myself through it?
I highly recommend the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley. They are cozy mysteries that take place in a small village in England after WW II. The main character is hilarious and a brilliant chemist at the age of 12. One of my all time favorite series. The Thursday Murder Club was a 3.5 for me but the second book was a 5. Can’t wait to read the third book! I also love the Veronica Speedwell mysteries by Deanna Raybourn! They are so much better than Killers of a Certain Age by that author.
In my difinition, books by Jean Paul Didierlaurent also work. Like "The reader on the 6.27" or "The rest of their lives". With a bit of dark humour at times. Not my favourite (I'm also a bit of a Grinch), but I think they could be considered wholesome.
When I read The Long Way to A Small Angry Planet I was like “WAIT WHAT WHOLESOME SCI FI IS AN OPTION???” I love that series. I also loved To Be Taught If Fortunate so very much. Really enjoyed AJ Fikry. Killers of a Certain Age I enjoyed. Maybe the surface level was perfect for listening to on summer afternoon walks, which is how I read it. 😅 Midnight Library I DNF’d and Man Called Ove really didn’t work for me. Loved the premise, but just couldn’t get into this guy’s arc. Also was pretty underwhelmed by Wonder. Don’t think I’m a grinch, but when you love Glokta from The Blade Itself as much as I do, not sure you can call yourself a good person either. LOL! 😅
I think you might like Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes, an Irish author. ☘️ It’s very funny but you also will really care about Rachel. It’s got way more substance to it than the title suggests.
I am also a grinch. A lot of the wholesome books are too sticky sweet and predictable for me. I did not like AJ Fikry. I did love House in the Cerulean Sea which felt like a big hug and I read it at the right time in my life for it to go high up on my list.
Based on the brilliant Becky Chambers interest i would suggest Armistead Maupins Tales of the City series. Originally a column in the San Francisco Chronicle (i think). Mixing a group off characters who live in a small private apartment block in San Francisco starting in the late 60’s, with current events in the city, country, world. Great characters and an interesting view of history as it happened. Defintely a huge LGBTIQ cozy series, miniseries of several books are on netflix (or they were)
I think u will like the movie of Wonder. It is not sugary sweet and there is bullying and the issue of the sister almost neglect is addressed . I did not read the book but loved the movie.
I'd definitely recommend staying with the Thursday Murder Club series at least until the 2nd book, which is better than the 1st. You get to know more about the main quartet of characters, as well as some secondary ones, and you start to care when things happen to them. If you'd like a book that feels both cozy (think The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry vibes) and will make you cry, Love Saves the Day by Gwen Cooper is excellent. Wholesome and so worth all the tears. If you'd like a spoiler alert about the fate of the cat at the center of the story, scroll down. - - - - - - - - SPOILER: Prudence, the cat at the center of the story lives. There is one long chapter describing an incident in the past when some pets died (not described graphically but very sad and anger-inducing and based on a real NYC event), and Prudence does experience grief when her person dies and is taken in by that person's daughter.
Me too! I was also reading a historical fiction about this American woman with her challenges in the 40s with having leprosy and going to a facility. Made it even better!
I'm not sure if it's wholesome exactly. But I really like a street cat named Bob (it's based on a true story) A lot of people don't like the writing style (the guy who wrote it isn't an author but it's explained in the book) P.s. the cat doesn't die in the book
Emily I would like to drop Other Birds or Lost Lake on your metaphorical door. I know I mentioned it before and I know you don’t like magical realism but I await the day you discover the joy of Sarah Addison Allen! Her books are the most delicious, wholesome, cozy mind treats, I’m telling you!
I have a hard time finding good 'cozy books'. A lot of them come off as hallmarky - overly sentimental. I think it's actually a genre to write. Too much drama and it becomes dark, too little drama and it becomes boring. I just want to find books that hit that sweet spot of being touching and relaxed without overly cheesy.
It's so funny because if I filmed this video most of these books would be on my list too. The Travelling Cat Chronicles is wholesome is some ways but I was a mess by the end. Have you seen the trailer for The Storied Life of A.J Fikry?
15:11 exactlyyyy i've read many japanese novels by different writers, i loved non of them. i couldn't get emotionally contact with any of the characters, i felt like they are only bunsh of names not actually "characters". so i didnt like the books at all, at first i felt mean for not like it(especially cuz japanese literature is popular where i live), but its not my problem that the characters are flat🫠japanese literature ISN'T for me
Great recommendations as always, but that cover for The humans??? Is it a new edition? I loved that book and my cover is awful….is it time to be shallow and buy the prettier one?🙃
I just googled the book to find a screenshot for the video and noticed it so of course I used it (it IS prettier!!) I want to get it too, I don't like the one I have with the nose lol Apparently BookDepository has it: bit.ly/3siNVcI so I know what I'm getting for my next order from there!
I don’t understand how any book with murders and death is considered “wholesome” and happy 😂 But I love this review, and I think Im going to check out the human book.
I guess I am alone here cause book 1 The long way to a small angry planet was not my fave, book 2 A close and common orbit was somehow even better for me.
I have question; why say 'unlive'? Does RUclips demonitize videos for the word suicide? Genuine question. Threw me off hearing it, like if you went with a friend to get ice cream and they kept referring to it as cream of ice.
![Summer Walker - Heart Of A Woman [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/SFddctbZzw8/mqdefault.jpg)
While my definition of a wholesome book might be questionable at times, I’d love to hear some of your favorites!
I loved the house and the cerulean sea and a man called ove!
I don't read much wholesome books.... But one that I absolutely loved was Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. At this point it's become a comfort read to me. I re-read it often.
I hesitate to recommend Diana Wynne Jones' books though... Because in the companion novels to Howl's Moving Castle she is blatantly fatphobic. It's horrible to read. So yeah, only recommend book 1.
I would recommend Remarkably Bright Creatures. It's very character driven and has an element of mystery to it that makes it hard to put down. The story has strong themes of grief, aging and second chances but it never gets too dark. Overall I just found it to be a very comforting, fun story and the narrators of the audiobook I listened to did an excellent job. 10/10
I liked few boks of the " gang des dentiers" french translation of Catharina Ingelmann-Sundberg books about an elderly criminals. The one I haven't read yet but has a potential is "La guerre des papilles" by Lucie Castel, I like her crime novels she writes under Oren Miller's name so there is a chance I like this one from outside my comfort zone.
I really enjoyed the house in the cerulean sea, all of Becky chambers books and the goblin emperor
Little update:
I'm halfway through "the very secret society..." and so far it's adorable!
I'm 80% into "the thursday murder club" and I take it back. I'm enjoying it!
Cozy books i loved:
- house in the cerulean sea
- under the whispering door
- the very secret society of irregular witches
- a man called ove
- heartstopper
- a castle in the clouds by kerstin gier
- the door-to-door bookstore by carsten henn (and his other book der geschichtenbäcker, which is not translated in english yet)
- my grandmother asked me to tell you shes sorry
- The keeper of lost things by ruth hogan
- bad karma and bad karma 2 by david safier
- not translated: der club der traumtänzer by andreas izquierdo, der schatz des herrn isakowitz by danny wattin
Books that are not necessarily cozy but have a vibe
- gallant
- the invisible life of addie larue
- the night circus
- the starless sea
- the nature of witches
- strange the dreamer
- the girl who drank the moon
- hotel magnifique
- sweet and bitter magic
- city of ghosts
My hopefuls
- aj fikry
- legends and lattes
- the last chance library
- the ladies of the secret circus
- the circus train
- the cat who saved books
- howls moving castle
- paris by starlight
- the ten thousand doors of january
Which would you recommend to someone who adored The Girl Who Drank The Moon? 🖤🍁
The cat who saved books is great! It's not really wholesome in my opinion, but it has some great messages.
I scrolled down JUST to see if House in the Cerulean Sea was recommendend x)
I love Kerstin Gier. Until now I only read Für jede Lösung ein Problem and In Wahrheit wird viel mehr gelogen (I think, the one with the inheritance), also the Stone trilogy. But I love her writing. Backman I love, A man called Ove and the Grandmother one. TJ Klune is on my TBR.
omg this is perfect i was just thinking about how i need to read more wholesome things!! i don't think horror is good for my mental state lol 😭😭
I’m getting a copy of Legends & Lattes and I’m SO EXCITED FOR IT
I am nearly finished with a cozy mystery series it’s called The Lady Hardcastle mysteries. It’s set in the early 19th century, two female former spies retire and move to a small country village. Then spend their retirement solving mysteries. It’s funny and sweet and very big on the small town vibes. The mysteries are fairly unique and kept my attention.
Cackle by Rachel Harrison! It’s a “wholesome horror” which doesn’t sound like it makes sense but it does! Ralph the tarantula is so freakin adorable too ❤
Totally wholesome, but I didn't see any horror in this book
I’m with you on this! It takes a very special book to give me the wholesome feels. I don’t like books like The Book Thief, where the author is clearly pulling very specific strings to try to elicit a very specific response. I call them “Christmas shoes” books because they’re just like that manipulative song, to me.
Maybe I’m a Grinch too!
The Travelling Cat Chronicles is so so good. The audiobook is amazing, the narrator sounds like a cat so much!
I recommend I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith.
Yess!!
I read Cackle last week and I think you might like it ! It's a witchy book, with strong female characters and a tiny bit of horror. Oh, and it's set in a small town !! You should definitely give it a try :))
Legends & Lattes was such cozy fun. I flew through it and wish there was more!
And I agree about the Becky Chambers Monk and Robot books. Those are the ones that immediately jumped to mind when I saw the "wholesome" video title. Those books beg to be read and reread while wrapped in a fluffy blanket with a hot cup of tea.
I think of T. Kingfisher's books as generally pretty wholesome and cozy as well... especially some of her earlier (not horror) work.
And come to think of it I also think of the Murderbot Diaries this way to. I really like how it explores issues around identify, individual autonomy and isolation.
I agree with T. Kingfisher as a recommendation-I recently read A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking and really enjoyed it!
I have Nettle and Bone on my library waiting list, I got that recommendation so many times, I can't wait to try it!
I love you “grumpy vibes”, I laughed so hard with your comments!! I need to keep reading to Becky Chambers, I’ve only read one of her books and loved it! 🤗
I love Matt Haig, the two books you mentioned are well loved faves on my bookshelf so I was so pleased to see them on this list cause they are absolutely the epitome of wholesome to me. I've been struggling to find more books that make me feel and contemplate like his writing does, and as soon as I saw this video suggested I had to click it! And I completely agree that midnight library counts on this list. It had some solemn themes but the way you go along the journey is definitely wholesome. Am looking forward to checking out some of the other books you mentioned here!
❤❤❤ thanks for your suggestions :) it’s the perfect time of year for some wholesome content!
I'm not sure if you've read the Murderbot series by Martha Wells, but I loved it and I'm not usually into sci-fi, but I would consider this a feel-good sci-fi mystery series.
Haha yes! Murderbot only being interested in watching cozy tv shows somehow works lol
You might hate this book but I have read it several times and I always cry at the end. If you ever read the Anne of Green Gables series this book is written by the same author. The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I don't usually like fluff romantic books but this one gets me every time. I just enjoy it because it's an easy read. I read mostly thrillers, horror, and political and social science books. Heavy, downer stuff and sometimes I just need a break.
LOVEE legends & Lattes MY FAVORITE! 🎃🍃👻👻🍃🎃🎃🍂📖📖📚🎃🍁🍁🍃👻👻🍂🍃🎃🎃🍂👻📖📖📚📚📖👻🍂🎃🎃🍁🍁🍁🎃📖📚📙🎃🎃🍁🍁🎃🍂
One I can think of is A Pho Love story. Coming on age story about to Vietnamese teens. Super cute and has a lot of good food references since they both come from families who own restaurants
I always recommend 'The Storied Life of AJ Fikry' for wholesome vibes. Anxious People was really good as well.
I'm seconding everyone who has recommended The House in the Cerulean Sea, I think you'll like the humor in that one, and all the kids are soo adorable!
I also think Stardust by Neil Gaiman was sweet, but it's not my favorite of his.
Other than that, I'm a sucker for Rick Riordan's writing, especially his Percy Jackson books
Went ahead and ordered The Humans & MidnightLibrary because of you, and this video! :D
xx
Hi, Emily! I've watched your videos for years and lately something about you seems happier and free an joyful to watch! Might be just me projecting, but wanted to say your videos have been making me extra happier lately c: PD. What about House on the Cerulean Sea!
Thank you! My health has been slowly but surely improving so I'm definitely feeling happier :)
Fitting my understanding of wholesome :) : Light from uncommon stars. Before the coffee gets cold (and the sequels).
Thank you for this list ❤ there’s not a lot of lists I can find about cozy lighthearted books. Some of these were already on my tbr but I’m glad to know your thoughts on them 😊
I needed this video after so much horror this month. Ready for cozy fall reads ☺️
Legends & Lattes is my new obsession!
I’ve had A Man Called Ove for so long and i haven’t read it. I got it because I absolutely loved My Grandmother Told Me to Tell you She’s Sorry by the same author. It was so sweet. I’m so glad you posted this 😊
The Broken Binding has a special edition of Legends and Lattes by the way. Super cute.
I have a love of Japanese translations and your mention of The Travelling Cat Chronicles (as well as Becky Chambers' To Be Taught if Fortunate) had me immediately looking it up and seeing if a local small bookstore had it. They said they do, so I'm going right now. I need some feel good books.
Just in case you missed it though, I've mentioned how the cat book will also apparently make you cry! lol
I loved Legends and Lattes, and love everything Becky Chambers. Other books I've loved that somehow are in that wheelhouse (at least in my mind) are The Goblin Emperor, all things Murderbot, and the Ancillary Justice books (Imperial Radch?)
In the non-fantasy or sci-fi, you may already have on you radar as they're not new, but Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and Major Pettigrew's Last Stand. Have you read the James Herriot books? They're just classic. Another suggestion that's newer: What You Can See from Here by Mariana Leky. ETA:
Someone downthread mentioned All the Lonely People. YES.
Emily, I purchased the Lord & Lady two years ago for my in-laws. They LOVED it, especially since we took a trip to Scotland together in 2015. 💙
SO EXCITED!!! 🍁🍂🍂🍁🍁🍁👻🍃😡📙📖📖📙📙📙📖📖📙📚📖📖📙📙🍃🍃👻👻🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🛳️🍃🎃🎃🎃🎃🍃🍃🎃🎃🎃🍂🍁🍁🍂📚📖📖📚
I agree wi the Humans by Matt Craig, but I didn’t like Midnight Library at all, I felt in was “infantile” and repetitive. Another older ladies Murder mystery is The Marlow Murders Club by Robert Thorogood. That one worked for me. Have you read Finlay Donovan IsKilling It by Elle Cosimano? Super fun but hold all expectations of depth. Mr.Flood’s Last Resort by Jess Kidd is also cozy wholesome with humour; I was invested in that one! Also, Iona Iverson’s Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley as well! I hope you will enjoy some of these. ❤
Happy Friday Emily have a great weekend xoxo ❤📚🍃🍃📙📙🍂🍁👻🎃📖🎃👻🍁🍂🍂🍁👻🎃🎃🎃🎃🍁🍂🍂👻🎃📙🍃🍃🍃📙📚🎃🎃📖📖🎃👻🍂🍂🍁🎃🎃👻🍁🍂🍂🎃🎃🎃📚🍃🍃🍃
When I saw this on your list of videos to make I couldn't wait. I've been reading many dark thrillers (though, favorites- and scary stories too!) It's always good to throw in a cozy non threatening book, too! 🙃😉🤭
xx
I'm finally learning to balance things out and it makes things so much more enjoyable!
@@BookswithEmilyFox Good plan! 😅☺
"that cat better not die DON'T TELL ME" ksjjfkf YES
Legends and Lattes is just so cute!
The traveling cat Chronicles sounds amazing can’t wait to read it 📙📖📚📚📚📖🎃🍃👻🍁🍁🍃🍂🎃🎃🎃🍂🍃👻🍁👻🍃🍂🎃🎃🍂👻📙📖📚📚📖📖📙📙📙📖📚🎃🎃🍃👻🍁🍁🍁👻🍂🎃🎃🍂🍃👻👻👻🍃🍂🎃🎃🍂📚📚📚📖📙👻👻🍁🍁🍁👻🍃🎃🎃🍂🍃👻
THANK YOU! I just finished Killers of a Certain Age and I thought it would make a great movie but doesn’t have enough depth to make a good book. Glad to know I’m not alone
It's so unfortunate because it's such a fun concept!
I would recommend you Dial A for aunties, a cozy and hilarious “mystery” :)
I genuinely hate A Man Called Ove. It's so problematic but no one seems to care bc it's a grumpy white dude. lmao oh well. I'm am SO excited to read Legends and Lattes. It looks absolutely adorable. And I will recommend all of Becky Chambers books to anyone who will listen. I love them so damn much. Definitely my feel good go-to
Can u please elaborate why a man called ove is problematic? Read it but i genuinely liked it and found nothing that would be deemed as problematic.
I'm curious too, I read it in 2017 so I know I wasn't as critical as I am now but I don't remember seeing anything
I DNF'd 'A Man Called Ove'*spoiler* when he slammed on the brakes to hurt the cat on purpose. No. Not funny. Ever.
@@BookswithEmilyFox @south west
hah! Well I hope you're ready for a rant! 😅Spoilers ahead. One of my biggest problems was the animal cruelty. Whether or not he was going to hurt the dog he literally made a contraption to electrocute it! Umm... hard no from me. He was so mean to the cat always grabbing it, pushing it, yelling at it. The only reason he even helped a dying cat was because Parvaneh forced him to.
He also has explosive anger. I can't imagine anyone being near someone who explodes with anger and not being absolutely terrified he'd become physical. That's not endearing that's abusive. In what universe would someone see Ove and think... ah I'm going to befriend him. So unrealistic. They made him WAY too unlikeable and frankly, borderline dangerous. Speaking of... he HOLDS A CHILD A GUNPOINT and we're not supposed to bat an eye? Even after he understands who is before him and why they are there Ove continues to hold them at gun point for way too long. Like put the gun down! What a psycho! And then we're just supposed to believe that the kid he just held a gunpoint is comfortable staying at this man's house overnight? Also, why Ove? Why not literally anyone else. It was sloppy writing on the author's part. He's fat phobic (calling a neighbour blubborous), uses slurs do talk about gays even though he "supports" them so using slurs is cute now I guess? He calls his neighbours idiots. There are so many different ways the author could have nurtured the connections between Ove and his neighbours but he chose ways that promote ignoring consent, bullying, and ways that felt contrived. People were made to look like imbeciles. Patrick was constantly ridiculed for not knowing how to do things; Adrian (a barista) has never encountered someone wanting black coffee before? Like, what?; The journalist was trapped in shed and passed off as an idiot as she talks calmly through the door (as if any woman getting trapped somewhere wouldn't immediately panic); Ove goes on and on about how he hates change and yet he's changed his car more times than just about anyone i've ever heard of. And Parvaneh was terrible. When Anita first comes to Ove's door to ask for help with the radiator he says no. Parvaneh gets upset and says he WILL do it. Just no. Ove does not owe anyone his time and labor. If he said no, he said no.
UGH! Sorry... talking about this book makes me get riled up. If you read through all of that.. first of all thank you for hearing me out! And secondly, sorry for that ranting mess! lol I hate this book
Ove was an ass. Everyone raves about it but he was incredibly hard to care about. I expected a slightly cranky old man but he was unkind sometimes cruel. He also isn't that old so unsure why he gets such a pass for being such a nasty person to interact with. I'm okay with not so nice characters but I never really see people address his behavior or they excuse it away. We all have shit things happen in our lives but we aren't all going to take it out on the people around us. It was my first Backman and it put me right off for a long tine. I've now read more of his work and thankfully so far Ove was an anomaly.
you might like finlay donovan is killing it!!! it’s wholesome and a cozy read
I know the authot may be considered problematic but The House in the cerulean sea is one of my wholesome books, and also Darius the Great is not Okay.
I absolutely agree with Matt Haig's books being wholesome. Even with the darker subject matter. I love The Midnight Library and I enjoyed The Humans too ☺
I love wholesome books! 👻🎃🍂🍂🎃👻📚📖📖📖👻👻👻🎃🍂🍂🎃🍃👻📚📚📙📙📖👻👻📚👻🍃🎃🍂🍂🍃👻👻📙📖📖👻👻👻👻🍂🍁🍁🍂🎃🍃👻
I DNF’d Sweet Bean Paste and am feeling meh about The Thursday Murder Club (about 50% done). Wonder was very predictable and also was not a favorite. I loved The Midnight Library. I also liked The Authenticity Project by Clare Pooley.
One I enjoyed in the "grumpy old men" genre is The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick, I also like the Library Lovers mystery series by Jenn McKiinlay.
Thanks for the recommendation. I picked up the first book in the series after seeing your recommendation. Liking it a lot so far.
I read monk & robot after watching review so glad I did it was all you said
I liked The Midnight Library and The Storied Life of A.J. Fikrey. Those are the only books I have read that you discussed.
I want to read Legends and Lattes so much! (Also your lipstick is 👌 Please tell me it's Maybelline coz I've been obsessed with the ink crayon lately and I want an excuse to buy another one 😆)
If you don’t mind dipping into graphic novels: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell and Faith Erin Hicks is cozy, funny, and seasonal AF.
Yes! I agree, I just purchased it.
I am not a big fan of A Psalm for the Wild-Built, but A Prayer for the Crown-Shy is so cozy! The only Becky Chamber's book I think it is even warmer is The Galaxy, and the Ground Within. This one I really don't want to end.
Two other books that I think were very wholesome were The House in the Cerulean Sea and Cackle.
The way you felt about Killers of a Certain Age….I felt the same way about Thursday Murder Club. I never felt invested in the mystery, and only cared about the characters a minimal amount. It was all of the steps of how they solved the murder without any insight into the process….which is the best part of a mystery imo. And I was so excited about it bc it had been hyped up so much! 😢
Very hit of miss for me too this genre. I often feel like a child (j'ai l'impression qu'on me fait la morale... sorry, can't find an equivalent in english)! Taking notes! I just bought Legends and Lattes... I'm gonna be reading it soon. I quite liked A.J. Fikry. And I'm often the Grinch too! Is the traveling cat chronicles translated as Mémoires d'un chat in French? I really liked that one.
I recommend The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett, very similar to A Man Called Ove.
One of my favourite feel good books is The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom!
I liked Emily the wholesome grinch closing the show.
Have you read Miriam Toews? I’m reading Fight Night right now, and oh my gosh it’s so funny, and sweet, but not to the point of being mushy, and the dialogue is so good. (I’m anticipating a heartbreaking end, though.)
that is exactly what i have been looking for
The traveling cat chronicles I loved it so much and yess it will make you cry but it's wholesome def recommend and also everyone is an aliebn when your an aliebn to buy jomny sun graphic novel
Can't wait to read Legends and Lattes! It gives me vibes of my favorite book of all time, To Say Nothing of the Dog, by Connie Willis. The dog doesn't die, and neither does the cat :) I think you would like it!
You might enjoy reading Lorenzo Marone's books.. 😊 And Kerstin Gier..
How about Elizabeth Strout - there are the Olive Kitteridge books and the Lucy series. (Lucy Barton main character). I enjoy Elizabeth Berg for women’s fiction. An older series that’s coming of age which stood out to me was the Katie Nash series.. 3 books in that one.
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater! Did you ever read that one? I think the plot is actually a bit slow and I do think, objectively, it may not be the best book ever written but it's one of those books that doesn't have to be taken too seriously. It's really fun to follow the story and I loved the characters.
Grinch here 🙋♀️ I’m loving The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches so far!
My wholesome books series is Anne of Green Gables from Monsieur Toussaint Louverture publishing house. The covers are georgeous !
Nothing to do w/ this video, but, I read A Little Life because of your vlog and it devastated me. Now the play is on stage down the street from me & I'm wondering if I have the emotional fortitude to put myself through it?
I highly recommend the Flavia de Luce series by Alan Bradley. They are cozy mysteries that take place in a small village in England after WW II. The main character is hilarious and a brilliant chemist at the age of 12. One of my all time favorite series. The Thursday Murder Club was a 3.5 for me but the second book was a 5. Can’t wait to read the third book! I also love the Veronica Speedwell mysteries by Deanna Raybourn! They are so much better than Killers of a Certain Age by that author.
In my difinition, books by Jean Paul Didierlaurent also work. Like "The reader on the 6.27" or "The rest of their lives". With a bit of dark humour at times. Not my favourite (I'm also a bit of a Grinch), but I think they could be considered wholesome.
I love wholesome books.
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I would recommend All the Lonely People by Mike Gayle
Have you read Bingo Love? It’s a small graphic novel about 2 women who are in their 70s and finding love. It was so cute!
When I read The Long Way to A Small Angry Planet I was like “WAIT WHAT WHOLESOME SCI FI IS AN OPTION???” I love that series. I also loved To Be Taught If Fortunate so very much. Really enjoyed AJ Fikry. Killers of a Certain Age I enjoyed. Maybe the surface level was perfect for listening to on summer afternoon walks, which is how I read it. 😅
Midnight Library I DNF’d and Man Called Ove really didn’t work for me. Loved the premise, but just couldn’t get into this guy’s arc. Also was pretty underwhelmed by Wonder. Don’t think I’m a grinch, but when you love Glokta from The Blade Itself as much as I do, not sure you can call yourself a good person either. LOL! 😅
I think you might like Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes, an Irish author. ☘️ It’s very funny but you also will really care about Rachel. It’s got way more substance to it than the title suggests.
I am also a grinch. A lot of the wholesome books are too sticky sweet and predictable for me. I did not like AJ Fikry. I did love House in the Cerulean Sea which felt like a big hug and I read it at the right time in my life for it to go high up on my list.
Hi, Emily -- I love your videos! I would highly recommend Three Things About Elsie by Joanna Cannon. It's heartbreaking, sweet, and very wholesome.
I feel validated!! I felt the same way about A man called Ova.
Based on the brilliant Becky Chambers interest i would suggest Armistead Maupins Tales of the City series. Originally a column in the San Francisco Chronicle (i think). Mixing a group off characters who live in a small private apartment block in San Francisco starting in the late 60’s, with current events in the city, country, world. Great characters and an interesting view of history as it happened. Defintely a huge LGBTIQ cozy series, miniseries of several books are on netflix (or they were)
I think u will like the movie of Wonder. It is not sugary sweet and there is bullying and the issue of the sister almost neglect is addressed . I did not read the book but loved the movie.
I'd definitely recommend staying with the Thursday Murder Club series at least until the 2nd book, which is better than the 1st. You get to know more about the main quartet of characters, as well as some secondary ones, and you start to care when things happen to them. If you'd like a book that feels both cozy (think The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry vibes) and will make you cry, Love Saves the Day by Gwen Cooper is excellent. Wholesome and so worth all the tears. If you'd like a spoiler alert about the fate of the cat at the center of the story, scroll down.
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SPOILER: Prudence, the cat at the center of the story lives. There is one long chapter describing an incident in the past when some pets died (not described graphically but very sad and anger-inducing and based on a real NYC event), and Prudence does experience grief when her person dies and is taken in by that person's daughter.
I loved Sweet Bean Paste.
Me too! I was also reading a historical fiction about this American woman with her challenges in the 40s with having leprosy and going to a facility. Made it even better!
I'm not sure if it's wholesome exactly.
But I really like a street cat named Bob (it's based on a true story)
A lot of people don't like the writing style (the guy who wrote it isn't an author but it's explained in the book)
P.s. the cat doesn't die in the book
Emily I would like to drop Other Birds or Lost Lake on your metaphorical door. I know I mentioned it before and I know you don’t like magical realism but I await the day you discover the joy of Sarah Addison Allen! Her books are the most delicious, wholesome, cozy mind treats, I’m telling you!
You’ll be happy to learn that I mentioned it in my library TBR :)
@@BookswithEmilyFox yayyyy!!! I’m so excited for you to read it 💃🏽
From my recent reads I would these are wholesome books that I loved : The Charm offensive, Better than the movies ,All Rhodes Lead Here and Managed
Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen is also very wholesome!
84, Charing Cross Road!
I have a hard time finding good 'cozy books'. A lot of them come off as hallmarky - overly sentimental. I think it's actually a genre to write. Too much drama and it becomes dark, too little drama and it becomes boring. I just want to find books that hit that sweet spot of being touching and relaxed without overly cheesy.
Unfortunately, I'm a grinch. I just don't care for "feel-good" books. The best example? The House on the Cerulean Sea. I was literally bored to death🙃
Honestly I feel the same. Becky Chambers is my biggest exception but in general I'm not into feel-good books either. I want to tho XD
It's so funny because if I filmed this video most of these books would be on my list too. The Travelling Cat Chronicles is wholesome is some ways but I was a mess by the end.
Have you seen the trailer for The Storied Life of A.J Fikry?
No, I don't like watching trailers... they spoil everything lol I can't wait to watch the movie tho!
15:11 exactlyyyy i've read many japanese novels by different writers, i loved non of them.
i couldn't get emotionally contact with any of the characters, i felt like they are only bunsh of names not actually "characters". so i didnt like the books at all, at first i felt mean for not like it(especially cuz japanese literature is popular where i live), but its not my problem that the characters are flat🫠japanese literature ISN'T for me
Great recommendations as always, but that cover for The humans??? Is it a new edition? I loved that book and my cover is awful….is it time to be shallow and buy the prettier one?🙃
I just googled the book to find a screenshot for the video and noticed it so of course I used it (it IS prettier!!) I want to get it too, I don't like the one I have with the nose lol
Apparently BookDepository has it: bit.ly/3siNVcI so I know what I'm getting for my next order from there!
Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Armin
If I want a laugh or something that makes my heart feel warm I will go to David Safier
I don’t understand how any book with murders and death is considered “wholesome” and happy 😂 But I love this review, and I think Im going to check out the human book.
Haha I get it but somehow it works XD
I guess I am alone here cause book 1 The long way to a small angry planet was not my fave, book 2 A close and common orbit was somehow even better for me.
I absolutely disliked The midnight library but really liked The humans.
Hello
I have question; why say 'unlive'? Does RUclips demonitize videos for the word suicide? Genuine question. Threw me off hearing it, like if you went with a friend to get ice cream and they kept referring to it as cream of ice.
RUclips doesn’t provide a list unfortunately. So I do tend to be careful with the words I use lol
❤️📚