Cosy reads for autumn
And a 25% off pre-order deal
Looking for some cosy book recommendations for autumn? Then keep reading! But first, some book news…
A Waterstones deal plus German publication
If you are a UK reader and have been thinking about pre-ordering my new book, This Book Made Me Think of You, then I’m happy to share that it is included in a special 25% off deal running this week on Waterstones. The deal runs from 14th to 17th October. Use code OCTOBER25 at checkout.
In other news, my new book is now out in Germany! Das Jahr voller Bücher und Wunder - which translates as The Year of Books and Wonder - was published at the start of October! It feels a little surreal to think that my new book is now out in a language I can’t speak, but it’s really exciting to think about the first readers buying copies. If you are a reader based in Germany, you can buy a copy here, and I really hope you enjoy it.
Cosy reads for autumn
For me, autumn reading doesn’t just mean books set during the season - although that can be great too - it means turning to books that offer a dose of comfort. Books you can escape into, maybe featuring food and books, perfect for reading under a blanket with a warm drink. Here are some of my favourites.
The Correspondent, Virgina Evans - I started this epistolary novel this week and finished it within a day. It tells the story of lifelong letter writer Sybil Van Antwerp, a character whose personality leaps off the page through the letters she writes. Both funny and deeply moving, it’s one of my favourites of 2025.
The Healing Season of Pottery, Yeon Somin - A burnt-out office worker takes a break from it all by visiting a pottery workshop and learning to make things from clay. Through making things with her hands and meeting the others at the workshop, she gently recovers and finds herself again.
Uncharmed, Lucy Jane Wood - I really enjoyed Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood, a very cosy story about a witch regaining her power. I’m looking forward to reading Lucy’s latest book, Uncharmed, which promises similar cosy vibes.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Sangu Mandanna - In a similar witchy vein, I loved The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. With themes of found family and finding yourself, it’s a really heartwarming, comforting read. Sangu Mandanna has a new book out too, A Witch’s Guide to Magical Inkeeping, which I also really enjoyed.
October, October, Katya Balen - Technically a children’s book, this tells the story of a little girl called October who lives in the woods with her dad. The writing is beautiful, and it taps into the darker, melancholy aspect of autumn.
Before the Coffee Gets Cold, Toshikazu Kawaguchi - This whole series is so cosy and comforting. Set in a coffee shop with a special time-travelling table, it is gentle and moving and a good one to curl up with in autumn.
An Autumn Crush, Milly Johnson - I haven’t read this one yet but I really enjoy a Milly Johnson novel and this one sounds great!
A Poem for Every Autumn Day, edited by Allie Esirie - A cosy one to keep on the coffee table.
The House in the Cerulean Sea, TJ Klune - One of my favourite books and a great one to read in autumn - a heartwarming tale with a touch of magic.
The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield - A compelling, haunting tale to get swept up in this season.
And of my own books, both The 24-Hour Café and The Vintage Shop are set during autumn and are very cosy!
For my full list of autumnal recommendations check out my page on bookshop.org (if you buy from there your purchase will help support independent bookshops - and you can now buy e-books there too!).
Do you have any other cosy autumnal reading recommendations? I’d love to know!
A reader’s question answered
Q: What writing software do you use?
A: I currently use a programme called Dabble which I like for how easy it is to move around chapters and scenes, and for the function where I can set a daily word count (and have confetti explode on my screen when I hit it). But you DO NOT need a fancy programme in order to write a book. I wrote 5 novels using Microsoft Word. Some authors write by longhand in notebooks. Others use Google docs. Whatever works for you - as long as you’re writing!
Thanks for reading!
I'm re-reading October, October currently. It's just so beautiful and full of all the senses.
Love this list! I just finished both of Sangu Mandanna’s books and they were a perfect cozy autumn vibe 🍂 🧙♀️ with just enough romantic spiciness 💕