Disclaimer: This page may contain affiliate links. Learn More.
The world can feel crazy at times. The news is often heavy, and things can feel so scary. We also have things in our personal lives that can drag us down-things that often keep us up at night.
If you are a reader one of the best gifts you can give yourself in these times is a good comfy read!
I am always amazed when I ask my readers “what is a good comfort read for you? Sometimes they answer back with book choices that would not be a comfort read to me. Books that have very sad endings, illness, and major struggle. I am not here to judge what others find comfort because I know that in every story people have reasons it brings them comfort.
It could be from an author their mother loved (when she was alive), it could be the main character reminded them of their grandfather. It could be for a million other reasons and is not for me to judge.
Today I wanted to share with you a list of comfort reads to me. For the most part these books will not have major conflict, battles, or deep sadness. They will be light hearted and fun to read or listen to!
Comfort Reads for Adults
If you like to have a list to print out to take to your library of the books mentioned in this post sign up below:
Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
Fiction
One spring morning, a mysterious stranger appears in the small southern town of Golden. No one knows where he came from—or what he’s looking for.
His name is Theo, and he asks far more questions than he answers.
Drawn to a local coffeehouse, Theo discovers a collection of ninety-two pencil portraits lining the walls—sketches of Golden’s residents created by a local artist. One by one, Theo buys the portraits and returns them to the people they depict. Each simple act sparks a conversation, forges an unexpected connection, and quietly changes a life.
A tender story about both giving and receiving, Theo of Golden explores what it means to truly see one another. It’s a gentle, beautifully told novel about generosity, curiosity, and the small, unseen acts of kindness that connect us all.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Classics
Step into the charming world of L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series, a collection that readers have loved for generations. Set on beautiful Prince Edward Island, these stories follow Anne from her childhood all the way into motherhood, and even into the lives of her children.
Filled with heart, humor, and the sweetness of everyday life, this series takes you on a timeless journey through love, family, and the simple beauty of living close to nature.
More comfort reads by L.M. Montgomery:
The Blue Castle
Jane of Lantern Hill
Emily of the New Moon
Winter Solstice by Rosamunde Pilcher
Fiction
I cannot tell you how much I loved this book! People have been telling me for years to read it and I finally did. I read this in January, and I still am thinking about it time to time. It is about second chances, friendship and family, and one beautiful Christmas. I know I will be reading it again in the future! This made my top 10 of 2025
Elfrida Phipps, once an actress in London, has moved to the quiet village of Dibton hoping for a fresh start. She’s grown used to the cozy rhythm of village life—shopkeepers who know her preferences and neighbors who greet her by name—but even with all that, she can’t shake a feeling of loneliness.
Oscar Blundell left behind his music career when he married Gloria. They now have a daughter, Francesca, and loving her is the one thing that makes his sacrifice feel worthwhile.A single unexpected tragedy sets off a chain of events that pulls very different people together in a large, run-down estate house near the fishing village of Creagan.
More comfort reads by Rosamunde Pilcher:
Coming Home
Shell Seekers
The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
Children’s Literature
Is there anything quite the comfort like Winnie the Pooh? In the book The Woman in Cabin 10, written by Ruth Ware, the main character has a comfort book she carries around from her childhood and this is it! Winnie the Pooh! I love that silly old bear and his friends and the hundred acre wood can bring comfort to kids and adults alike!
The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne brings together the beloved stories of Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. In this charming collection, readers follow Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Tigger, and the rest of the gang through sweet and humorous adventures.
These classic stories celebrate friendship, kindness, and the simple joys of life, all brought to life with Milne’s gentle storytelling and E. H. Shepard’s well-known illustrations. Perfect for readers of any age, this collection captures the timeless magic of Winnie-the-Pooh.
An Irish Country Doctor Series by Patrick Taylor
Fiction
Fresh out of medical school, Dr. Barry Laverty travels to the small village of Ballybucklebo in Northern Ireland to begin work as an assistant in a rural medical practice. Although he’s eager to start his career, he quickly discovers that working with the experienced and unconventional Dr. Fingal O’Reilly will be quite an adjustment.
As Barry learns the ropes of country medicine, he also begins to understand the rhythms of village life and the colorful people who live there. Along the way, he gains valuable lessons about medicine, friendship, and love that he never expected to learn outside the classroom.
Thrush Green by Miss Read
Fiction
Miss Read’s beloved stories capture the charm of life in a peaceful English village. In this book, readers are introduced to Thrush Green, a picturesque village filled with thatched cottages, blooming hedges, and a close-knit community.
As the villagers prepare for May Day, both familiar and new characters come together, and small but meaningful moments unfold throughout the day. With warmth, humor, and gentle wisdom, the story celebrates everyday life, friendship, and the quiet beauty of village traditions
The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick
Fiction
I read this book several years ago and it was so charming! Many people compare this to A Man Called Ove, personally I enjoyed this one more and feel like it definitely has a lighter feel. I wrote a review on this book you can find here!
Arthur Pepper, a quiet widower in his late sixties, lives a simple and predictable life after the loss of his wife, Miriam. But on the first anniversary of her death, he discovers a gold charm bracelet among her belongings that he has never seen before.
Curious about its meaning, Arthur sets off on an unexpected journey to uncover the secrets of Miriam’s life before they met. His search takes him across different countries and introduces him to new people and experiences. Along the way, Arthur discovers healing, adventure, and the possibility of a new chapter in life.
At Home in Mitford Series by Jan Karon
Fiction
I read several books in this series years ago and it was the perfect comfort read. I know Jan Karon has millions of fans that feel at home in Mitford. If you love small towns, fun characters, and a slow beautiful life you have to check out this series.
Life in the small town of Mitford is peaceful and charming, with friendly neighbors and beautiful surroundings. Father Tim, the town’s bachelor rector, enjoys his quiet routine—until his life begins to change in unexpected ways.
A large stray dog shows up and refuses to leave, a friendly neighbor begins visiting more often, and a troubled boy enters his life. Add in a mysterious theft and a long-hidden secret, and Father Tim soon finds himself caught up in more excitement than he expected. This warm and humorous story celebrates the joys and surprises of everyday life.
All Creatures Great & Small by James Herriot
Non-Fiction
In All Creatures Great and Small, James Herriot shares heartwarming and humorous stories from his early days as a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales. As a young doctor beginning his career, he quickly learns that caring for animals in the countryside is very different from what he studied in school.
Through touching, funny, and sometimes challenging experiences with both animals and their owners, Herriot paints a vivid picture of rural life. His stories celebrate compassion, dedication, and the deep bond between people and animals, making this beloved memoir a favorite for readers of all ages.
Masie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear
Mystery
I want to start off saying, the first book in this series is not a comfort read. It talks of tough subjects: death, war, grief and more. The mission of the first book is to start the series so you have great detail about Maisie Dobbs life and how she became such a wonderful detective. After the first book I feel like it becomes much more a cozy mystery type read. I have often picked up a Maisie Dobbs when I feel like life is feeling too hard. This is one of my favorite series. If you love a great mystery this is fantastic. Like any series, some are better than others.
Maisie Dobbs began working as a maid in a wealthy London household when she was just thirteen. Recognizing her intelligence and potential, her employer and a family friend helped her receive a strong education and encouraged her natural talent for investigation.
But the outbreak of World War I changed her life. Maisie served as a nurse on the front lines in France, where she experienced both love and loss. Years later, in 1929, she starts her own career as a private investigator, using her keen intuition to uncover the truth. Her first case begins as a simple suspicion of infidelity but soon reveals a much deeper mystery.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Fiction
Millions of fans everywhere love Remarkably Bright Creatures. My readers on my Crazy Book Lady Facebook page are constantly talking about this one! I found it enjoyable, maybe not on the level others have, but to me it could be a great comfort read!
After losing her husband, Tova Sullivan takes a job working nights at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, quietly cleaning and keeping herself busy while the world sleeps. Staying occupied has always been her way of coping—ever since her son, Erik, vanished during a boating trip in Puget Sound more than thirty years earlier.
During her shifts, Tova forms an unexpected bond with Marcellus, a gruff but brilliant giant Pacific octopus who lives at the aquarium. Marcellus knows far more than anyone realizes and has little interest in helping humans—until Tova earns his trust.
With the instincts of a natural sleuth, Marcellus pieces together the truth about the night Tova’s son disappeared. Now, with time running out, he sets out to reveal what he’s discovered, using every clever trick his aging octopus body can manage.
This tender and uplifting novel reminds us that revisiting the past can open doors to healing, hope, and a future that once seemed out of reach.
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
Fiction
This was my favorite book of 2025 and you can read what I say about it there!
What if the letters we send and receive are fragments of a life carefully pieced together over time—small moments preserved, waiting to matter to someone someday?
The Correspondent is a quiet, beautifully observed novel about the comfort of books, the power of human connection, and the way words can carry meaning far beyond their moment. It explores the confidence of youth, the clarity that comes with age, and the mix of regret and grace that shapes a lifetime.
For Sybil Van Antwerp, letter writing has always been her way of understanding the world. Nearly every morning, she sits down to write—to her brother, her closest friend, a university president denying her the chance to audit a class, and even to authors whose work stirs strong opinions. There is also one letter she returns to again and again, a letter she never sends.
Sybil believes her life is settled and complete. She has been many things—mother, grandmother, wife, divorcee, accomplished lawyer—and expects her days to continue much as they always have. But when unexpected letters from her past reopen old wounds, Sybil is forced to confront a painful chapter she has long avoided. To move forward, she must finally reckon with the words she’s been holding back and find the courage to offer forgiveness.
Sybil’s life, preserved in letters, may seem small at first glance—but she is a character who lingers long after the final page.
Dear Mr. Knightley: A Novel by Katherine Reay
Romance/Historical Fiction
Speaking of a book I loved! Oh my, how I love this one! I think most books of letter can be the ultimate comfort read.
Samantha’s only friends were characters in books, but her real life takes an extraordinary turn when a mysterious “Mr. Knightley” offers her a full journalism scholarship—on the condition that she write to him regularly. Will their long-distance friendship unlock her heart?
This book has a bookish character (Samantha) who of course loves books, and I always love finding a book lover in a book I’m reading. Sam loves Austen, Dickens, and Shakespeare. She considers herself to be more like Elizabeth Bennet though! I am an Elizabeth Bennet girl through and through so I could totally relate.
Sam’s letters to Mr. Knightley become increasingly confessional as she begins to share everything from her painful childhood memories to her growing feelings for eligible novelist Alex Powell.
If you love letter books you will love this one! You can find my favorite books of letters in this blog post!
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
Classics
A small ad in the newspaper—“To those who appreciate wisteria and sunshine”—offers a castle for rent on the Italian coast, and it quietly changes everything. Four very different women decide to go: one worn down by life, one quietly grieving, one set in her ways, and one used to the spotlight.
As they spend a month together by the sea, surrounded by sunshine and beauty, something begins to shift. Each woman starts to open up, finding a little joy, a little peace, and a renewed sense of herself.
This gentle, uplifting story is all about fresh starts, unexpected friendships, and the quiet magic of getting away.
Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Classics
When five-year-old Heidi is sent to live with her grandfather in the mountains, everyone expects her to be afraid—but she isn’t. Instead, she quickly falls in love with him and her new life in the Alps, surrounded by sunshine, goats, and the beauty of nature.
But just as she begins to feel at home, she’s taken away to live in the city, far from everything she loves. Lonely and unhappy, Heidi longs to return to the mountains and the grandfather she misses so much.
This heartfelt story is about home, belonging, and the joy of being where you truly feel happy.
Miss Buncle’s Book by D.E. Stevenson
Fiction
First published in the 1930s and now rediscovered by today’s readers, Miss Buncle’s Book is a charming story about quiet courage, fresh starts, and what can happen when people truly see one another.
Barbara Buncle, a proper and practical woman with money running low, decides to write a novel to earn a little extra income. Thinking she has no imagination, she simply writes about her own quiet village. But when her story starts to look a little too familiar, the neighbors quickly recognize themselves—and they are not pleased.
What begins as a simple idea soon stirs up the whole town in unexpected ways. As life and fiction begin to overlap, Barbara finds herself changing too, discovering that sometimes the smallest steps can lead to the biggest transformations.
With gentle humor and a cast of unforgettable characters, this is a delightful, feel-good read you’ll want to settle into and savor.
More comfort reads by D.E. Stevenson:
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower
Historical Fiction
I am totally addicted to these journals. I am on journal 4 and oh my heart! I am going to write up a post just about these books soon because they are just too delightful to not have their own post! These journals are the ultimate comfort read. They are fabulous on audio also!
They have incredible characters, excellent writing, the best banter that just makes you laugh out loud. Think of pride and prejudice but without the hard English language and even more characters to love. Beth Brower does an excellent job in writing a story and having love interests but not making the story about romance per say. It is hard to explain but you have to read these books! They start a little slow but it won’t take long and you will be dying to grab the next one.
The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian’s.
Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
More comfort reads by Beth Brower:
The Q
In conclusion
If you need to find something that just makes you laugh or gives you joy this is the perfect book list!
What book do you consider a comfort read?
Other posts you may enjoy:
- Must Read Cozy Romance Stories
- Best Books on Kindle Unlimited
- Best Epistolary Novels That Will Sweep You Away
- Rory Gilmore Reading List
WANT TO REMEMBER THIS? SAVE THIS BOOK LIST TO YOUR FAVORITE BOOK PINTEREST BOARD!
