Some sff to relax to
Growing up I used to think that winter ended on December 31st because that was when people started to put away holiday decorations and talk about how warm it was getting. It didn’t help that we never got snow and it was indeed warm (shout out to the desert dwellers).
But winter hasn’t ended! Not really. There’s still time to seek out the wonderful escapism that a quiet winter night brings.
Here’s a list of some books that will make you want to slip on a pair of comfy socks and cozy up in a snuggly blanket. Just like the season, each has a wholesome sprinkling of wonderment and awe to lift your spirit.
Legends & Lattes
Nothing says cozy like cold nights and warm drinks. Legends & Lattes may be high fantasy, but don’t think that automatically means you’ll be reading about extravagant conflicts or political machinations. Instead, what we have here is a low-stakes story about coffee and queer love, about following your dreams and finding the people that make those dreams complete.
Viv is an orc who’s done with fighting. She’s ready to realize her dream: opening a coffee shop. Never mind that the people here don’t know what coffee is, they’ll catch on!
Enjoy a delicious little slice of life with a sprinkling of love and some excellent pastry.
The House in the Cerulean Sea
The House in the Cerulean Sea has been described by many as a hug in the form of a book. VE Schwab described it “like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket.” Everything about Klune’s enchanting novel screams wholesome.
Tucked away on Marsyas Island in the middle of a shining cerulean sea is a found family made up of orphans and outsiders and people the world labels as too different. When Linus is sent to check-in on the children living there he finds a world so different from his own. One full of color and fun and love.
This book is a light in the deep dark; it won’t make our problems go away but it’ll be a comforting glow and a reminder that we have power to work towards positive change when things seem bleak.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet
This one is on my TBR this year so I haven’t read it myself just yet. However, when one searches for “cozy sff” this is a book that appears on every list. So why is that?
You’ve got a ragtag crew of oddballs and outcasts living in close quarters and doing an unfavorable job (but someone’s gotta do it). When you live like that you learn to love and trust the people around you or you won’t be making it to your next paycheck (are you noticing found family is a major theme on this list, because I am!).
The lack of an overarching plot in favor of more episodic experiences in space leaves room for slower pacing and strong characters. It’s a reminder that no matter what the universe throws at us, it’s still a beautiful place.
Penric and Desdemona novella series
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to be possessed by a demon? Because poor Penric doesn’t have to wonder. He was just trying to do a good deed and ended up accidentally getting possessed instead.
Good news is that the demon (or demons) possessing him isn’t as bad as others have made it out to be. In fact, Pen quickly learns that this is less of a possession and more of a partnership. He gets magical powers and Des gets more freedom than she’s ever had working with a host who actually trusts her.
Lois McMaster Bujold has been described as the Jane Austin of fantasy so be prepared for a similar style, if a completely different story. This is a low stakes Young / New Adult fantasy with a focus on characters and connections.
The Cybernetic Tea Shop
Another book on this list where a warm cuppa proves the answer to all our problems. Though short – topping off at around 65 pages – this enchanting novella follows an AI and human programmer. Connecting at a pivotal moment in both their lives, they muse over questions big and small. Of humanity, love, and life.
The story has a dreamy quality, resting somewhere between fantasy and scifi. The love and trust between Sal and Clara will warm you up as much as the tea they share.
Howl’s Moving Castle
Despite not even knowing this book existed until a few years ago, this magical novel by Diana Wynne Jones has become my favorite comfort read.
Sophie is expected to stay home and run the family hat shop, a fate she is comfortably resigned to until the day a witch enters the shop and curses her. Now trapped in the body of an elderly woman, she sets out for the wizard Howl’s castle seeking a way to end her curse (and experience a bit of adventure).
The story is whimsical, drifting along at an unhurried pace through the land of Ingary. Sophie’s personality shines so brightly as she grows from a forgotten third daughter to a confident, independent woman. You’ll find magic, broken hearts, and an ungodly amount of sass.
If you’ve seen the film, be prepared for a completely different experience. The Ghibli movie is only loosely based on Jones’ novel. The world, the characters, and the plot are entirely different but just as magical.
A Psalm for the Wild Built
Becky Chambers is appearing on this list a second time with another soothing tale. This one set in a future closer to home than the far flung stars.
When the robots decided they were done serving humanity they left quietly, setting down their tools before disappearing into the woods and into legend. Centuries later, a tea monk wanders off the path and discovers Mosscap, a descendant of those first robots who has been tasked with asking humanity a very important question: “what do people need?”
A meditative story that feels like the equivalent of sitting around with a group of close friends discussing the meaning of life and the things most important to us. The dedication reads: “For anybody who could use a break.” A sentiment many of us can relate to.
There you have it, some sff to cozy up with. Cozy stories can be the perfect way to quiet your thoughts and reconnect with the books you’re reading. I actually wrote this list several years ago and since then have read many, many more cozy novels. So if you appreciated this list and would like more recommendations let me know!
Are you a fan of cozy stories? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Fictional Wanderings 