There’s something magical about the turn of the seasons—when the crisp air of autumn gives way to the quiet hush of winter. The light fades earlier, evenings grow longer, and suddenly I find myself reaching for books that feel just right for this in-between time.
For me, seasonal transition reads fall into two categories: the cozy comforts that make you feel warm and held, and the atmospheric stories that lean into reflection, mystery, and winter’s quiet beauty.
Here are some of my favorite reads (and recent finds) that capture both moods:
🍯 If You’re Looking for Cozy
These are the books that feel like a soft blanket, a mug of tea, and the glow of a candle in the window. Comforting, whimsical, and filled with heart.
✨ At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber
A small-town story full of charm and community. Sweet and heartwarming, this one is perfect for easing into winter.
✨ The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst
A heartwarming blend of greenhouse magic, gentle romance, and whimsical atmosphere, all set on a magical island in the middle of a snowy winter. Fair warning: the food descriptions will have you craving hot cocoa and cookies, so you might want to keep some nearby while you read.
✨ TJ Klune
Tender, whimsical, and heart-deep—Klune’s stories are comfort reads with soul. These books literally feel like a hug you didn’t know you needed. I especially recommend Under the Whispering Door for the winter months, especially if you’re a Christmas Carol fan.
✨ Kitchen Witch: Food, Folklore & Fairy Tale by Sarah Robinson
An engrossing anthology of folklore, fairy tale magic, healing, hearth, and feasts. This book is an exploration of the history and culture of food, folklore, and magic. Perfect for cozy evenings when you want nourishment for both body and spirit.
✨ Sorcery & Cecelia: or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C. Wrede & Caroline Stevermer
This book is full of Regency banter, magic, and charming letter exchanges. I loved the epistolary style, which made the reading move quickly. I also love the backstory of how the authors decided to write this delightful tale. Be sure to check it out!
✨ The Legends & Lattes Series by Travis Baldree
Comfort fantasy at its finest. This series feels like a warm cup of coffee in book form — full of kindness, community, and quiet beginnings. A cozy, low-stakes fantasy perfect for transitioning from the golden glow of autumn into winter’s calm. And lucky for all of us, the third book, Brigands & Breadknives, is set to come out this November!
🍁 If You’re in the Mood for Something More Reflective
These are the books that bridge cozy and contemplative—warm but weighty, tender but deeply human. They invite you to slow down, to reflect, and to hold both the beauty and ache of life in equal measure.
✨ Like Family by Erin O’White
A new book in the market, Like Family, captured me literally from the first sentence. It is rare for any book to do that. What followed was a thoughtful, yet gracious story about the messiness of families. No matter how perfect one may seem on the outside, there is always something that will need work. What I loved about this book is not just the family dynamics, but the exploration of identity and how we still have so much to learn about ourselves, no matter what stage of life we are in.
✨ Ordinary Days by Annie B. Jones
A lovely, quiet memoir that celebrates the beauty of daily life from one of my favorite podcast hosts/independent bookstore owner. This book is a reminder to slow down and savor the simple things in life, even when you feel like you should be reaching for more.
✨ Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May
A stunning nonfiction work about embracing the seasons of rest in our lives. This book is gentle and soul-soothing. It gives you the permission you didn’t know you were looking for to slow down and look inward at what you need, rather than what you’re told will make you happy.
✨ Natural Magic: Emily Dickinson, Charles Darwin, and the Dawn of Modern Science by Renée Bergland
If you are looking for some nonfiction that reads like fiction and is a beautifully written exploration of wonder and curiosity, look no further. I loved this deep dive into two well-known individuals, Darwin and Dickinson, and how their minds so closely resembled each other, even though they had never met. I was absolutely transfixed.
✨ We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
Equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking, this novel captures the essence of friendship, love, and the profound ache of letting go. Catherine Newman’s books are perfect for this time of year.
✨ Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmer
Kimmer’s writing takes you gently by the hand and leads you through thoughtful discussions on respriocity with the land and how we, as humans, often forget to give thanks for the resources we so frequently take for granted. Her knowledge, experiences, and cultural upbringing will leave you a kinder, better person.
🌙 If You’re Seeking Something Atmospheric
For when the nights stretch long and you’re in the mood for something thoughtful that clings to you long after you have turned the final page.
✨ The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón
Gothic, mysterious, and unforgettable. A literary labyrinth that feels like wandering candlelit streets in late autumn. Perfect for diving into when the days are shorter and the nights longer.
✨ The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
A masterful gothic mystery about family secrets, storytelling, and the ghosts that linger in old houses. Atmospheric, eerie, and beautifully written — it’s the kind of book best read by lamplight on a cold evening.
✨ The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
Historical fiction based on a real midwife who was witness to the goings-on of her small Maine town. This book is steeped in atmosphere, set in a stark New England winter. The themes of this novel, set in the late 1700s, (unfortunately) still ring true today. This is not one to miss.
✨ The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
A lush, fairy-tale-infused novel set in the frozen forests of medieval Russia. With folklore, family, and a heroine who must embrace her gifts to protect her village, this book feels like stepping into a world of firelight, snow, and whispered legends.
Seasonal Reading as Self-Care
Transitioning from fall to winter is about more than weather—it’s about pace, rhythm, and energy. Cozy reads remind us to rest and nurture ourselves, while atmospheric and reflective books encourage us to meditate and lean into the season’s quiet. Both offer comfort in their own way.
Do you reach for cozy, atmospheric, or reflective books when the seasons shift? 🍁➡️❄️
The Book Nook 