What is Cozy Fiction? + 10 Cozy Books That Feel Like a Warm Hug

You've definitely seen those "cozy book recs" videos floating around on TikTok and Instagram.

I got curious (okay, maybe a little obsessed) with this whole "cozy" trend and decided to dig a little deeper.

And turns out, cosies have been around for way longer than I expected.

So, grab your koffee (or your favourite drink) AND... yep, let's dive right in!

History of Cozy Fiction

Where did it all start?

What’s the history of cozy fiction?

Is this a new subgenre that people are suddenly talking about all over IG and TT?

I had a lot of questions.

So, I went down a rabbit hole of literary research platforms and read a bunch of academic papers (which I weirdly enjoy, lol).

But don’t worry— I won’t make you read those (some 50-ish!) research papers. 😅

Here’s a simple extract on the history of cozy fiction:

Cozy fiction is not a recent phenomenon—it actually dates back to the early 20th century.

At the end of World War I, there was a noticeable shift in literature. People were exhausted by the horrors of war. They didn’t want to read anything gory, graphic, or sexual.

They wanted an escape.

And that’s exactly when cozy mysteries started to rise.

This literary movement is part of what’s now known as the Golden Age of Detective Fiction.

Some of the contributors to this age includes Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, Margery Allingham, and Ngaio Marsh—also famously known as the Queens of Crime.

Though this golden age only spanned from the 1920s to the 1930s, its impact still lingers.

The Golden Age of Detective Fiction ended at the outbreak of the Second World War.

Interestingly, the term “cozy” wasn’t used to describe the genre back then. It only came into wider use near the end of the 20th century, when writers started attempted recreating that comforting, non-violent mystery vibe.

What Made These Mysteries Cozy?

Unlike their darker counterparts, the mysteries from the golden age weren’t filled with blood, violence, or explicit content.

Instead:

The crimes were usually solved by amateur sleuths
The settings were often small towns or close-knit communities
The stories were more about the “whodunit” than the how or why

All this made them way more approachable, even when they dealt with crime. It’s like a murder mystery... but in a teacup

What Is Cozy Fiction?

Alright, enough of the history lesson!

In very simple terms, cozy fiction is the opposite of hardboiled thrillers.

It doesn’t shout. It whispers.

Over time, the cozy genre has grown beyond just mysteries. Now, you’ll find cozy vibes in romance, fantasy, slice-of-life, and other genres too.

So what makes a book cozy?

The most common themes in cozy fiction include a light and comforting atmosphere, a slower pace, a hopeful tone, and a satisfying, happy ending.

Here are a few other common ingredients:

Small, close-knit communities or found families
Gentle, character-driven storytelling
Beautifully mundane moments (yes, even doing laundry can be cute in a cozy!)
Low-stakes conflict and soft resolutions
A hopeful tone and a warm, fuzzy feeling by the end

Basically, cozy fiction = the emotional equivalent of wrapping yourself in a blanket.

10 Cosies That’ll Instantly Uplift Your Mood

Now! It’s time for some cozy book recs. Yay!!!

Here are 10 cozy books I highly recommend. These are perfect for curling up with on a lazy afternoon—or whenever you need to feel held by a story:

Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa

I never stop recommending this gem. It pulled me out of a years-long reading slump. The story follows Takako, a girl in her twenties who retreats from the world after a breakup. She ends up moving in with her eccentric uncle, Satoru, who owns a second-hand bookshop. Slowly, she starts helping out in the store… and becomes an avid reader herself. Her quiet journey of rediscovery—finding comfort in dusty old pages—stirred something deep in me. It’s gentle, healing, and everything a cozy read should be.

(Read full review here)

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

Who doesn’t wish they could go back in time to fix something in the past? In this story, a small café in Japan can take you back—under some very specific rules. Four lives, six rules, and one wish. This is the first in a five-book series (I’ve only read this one so far), and it was quietly magical. I’ll be reading the rest soon, and if you want updates on future reviews, feel free to sign up for the newsletter!

(Read full review here)

A Perfect Day to Be Alone by Nanae Aoyama

A short and quirky read. The story follows Chizu, a twenty-year-old who (reluctantly) ends up living with Ginko, an 80-year-old widowed woman reliving her prime. Through their odd living situation, Chizu starts understanding loneliness, companionship, and the messy nature of relationships. It’s a quiet, contemplative novella—not for everyone, but worth it if you like introspective character studies.

(Read full review here)

Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

Okay, full honesty: I didn’t really get what was going on until chapter 18. But then… I was in. Like, tears-streaming-down-my-face in. This book made me cry happy tears, sad tears, and “I-don’t-even-know-why-I’m-crying” tears. It’s not overly sweet—just like the dessert it's named after. There’s a nutty, earthy depth to it, with just the right hint of sweetness. It may not be a 5-star read for everyone, but it’s one you won’t forget.

The Cat Who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsukawa

A talking tabby cat? Yes, please. Rintaro, a quiet teenage boy, inherits his grandfather’s secondhand bookstore. Just days after the loss, a cat named Tiger appears—on a mission to save books. Together, they go on a journey through four labyrinths, trying to protect books from people who say they love them but are harming them in subtle ways. This one made me think deeply about how we read books. Bonus: there's a sequel, The Cat Who Saved the Library, which I’m planning to read soon!

Home Office Romance by Kabi Nagata

A fast-paced, light-hearted romance between two neighbors working from home. It all starts with a simple “hi” across balconies… and soon blossoms into friendship, then romance. Super cute and relatable, especially if you're into WFH vibes and soft love stories.

Fujisan by Randy Taguchi

To the world, Mount Fuji is just a mountain. But to the Japanese, it holds a deeper, almost spiritual significance—they call it Fujisan (the "-san" being a respectful honorific). This book is a collection of four short stories, each exploring how the mountain impacts different people’s lives. Poetic, quiet, and meaningful.

Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum

Every book lover has dreamed of opening their own bookshop at least once, right? Yeongju seemingly had it all—a prestigious degree, a solid marriage, and a successful career. But burnout hit hard. Despite trying therapy and time off, she still didn’t feel right. So she leaves it all behind to open a tiny bookshop in a sleepy Seoul neighborhood. What I loved most? It doesn’t romanticize owning a bookshop—it gets real about finances, marketing, and the slow pace of building something new. A must-read if you've ever dreamed of running your own bookstore café.

The Easy Life in Kamusari by Shion Miura

Part one of the Forest series, this book offers a gentle glimpse into rural life and forestry in Japan. It’s about a city boy who gets unexpectedly placed in a remote village and slowly adjusts to the quiet, meaningful pace of forest work. Slow, sweet, and unexpectedly funny—it’s a breath of fresh air.

I Am a Cat by Natsume Sōseki

A Japanese classic, told from the point of view of a very snarky, nameless cat. (Yep, the cat is just called… Cat.) He wanders into a household, ends up staying, and gives us his clever (and often hilarious) commentary on the people living there. If you love cats and books, this one’s a cozy, quirky must-read.

So there you have it! 10 cozy books to read to soothe your soul, warm your heart, and remind you that not all stories need to be loud or dramatic to leave an impact.

If you’ve got a cozy rec, please share in the comments, I'd to check out. I’m always up for a good book recommendation. 💌