Books to Cozy up With

Megan

Dec 21

Hey Reader Friends!

This post serves a dual purpose: I need to catch up on ARC reviews and I love talking about cozy books to read when it's all gray and chilly outside. In Oregon, it's gray and chilly for months, which means I have a lot of future chances to talk about more cozy books!

Thanks to NetGalley, Allison & Busby, Harper Teen, and Algonquin Young Readers for these free digital copies in exchange for honest reviews!

Transmogrify: 14 Magical Tales of Trans Magic, edited by G. Haron Davis

I tend to struggle with short story anthologies--I tend to get bored, or I only like a couple of stories in the collection. I'm happy to say that this wasn't the case for this anthology! I truly enjoyed every story, and all were so different, unique, and entertaining. I love that the magic systems were different throughout the stories and that each story highlighted what it is to be trans. I think everyone can find something to love in this anthology, and I highly recommend it!

Skelton's Guide to Blazing Corpses by David Stafford

This is the third in the series featuring barrister Arthur Skelton and I just love these books. While I think you could read each of these are their own, it is always helpful to read these in order. Skelton's dry sense of humor always gets me, as well as the antics of his wife Mila, and assistant Edgar.

While the mystery was not my favorite of the three (don't get me wrong--it was still interesting)--what I found most fascinating was Skelton's doubts and self-reflections around his job and purpose. These were also reflected in his evangelist cousin Alan, who questions his faith.

If you are a fan of historical mysteries with a cast of entertaining characters, give this series a try!

Myrtle, Means, and Opportunity by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Okay, Myrtle is hands down one of my favorite middle-grade sleuths ever. Honestly...sorry Nancy Drew, but Myrtle might actually be my favorite sleuth. This is the fifth book in this Victorian-era series, and I don't ever want this series to end.

As I have mentioned before, it is always tough to review later series books, but what I will say is that this one takes our clever young sleuth and her governess, Miss Judson to a run-down estate in Scotland. Murder and mayhem commence! I really enjoyed the way we see Myrtle start to mature in this book--while she is definitely precocious, we see her start to consider more and question things more deeply.

This is definitely a series that you need to read in order. I know middle-grade isn't for everyone (obviously), but this is truly a delightful series and I recommend it if you love mystery and intrepid sleuths!

I'm currently torn between wanting to read a bunch of mysteries, because I always love a good mystery in the winter, and rereading all the Sarah J. Maas books. I can't wait to share more cozy books with you!