This time of year I always get into the mood for a cozy fall read. What exactly qualifies as a cozy fall read? To me a cozy read varies from season to season but in early fall I typically just want to read something good, with a strong sense of place. One of those books where the story consumes you and the characters come alive. I heard someone describe it once as an Agatha Christie type of book—only without the murder! Here are several books that fit this description that are perfect for curling up in your favorite chair with a blanket as the nights turn cooler!
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The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan
This one pulled me right in with its bright away array of quirky characters! This story takes place in England during World War II and alternates points of view from several of the women who make up the Chilbury Ladies Choir. Kitty is 13, a very grown up 13 she wants to be sure we know, who brings a bright naiveté to the story. There is Mrs. Tillsbury, a widowed nurse whose son is currently overseas fighting. She is lonely though she doesn’t want anyone to know it. We meet Edwina who is hatching a scheme she is sure is going to make her a wealthy woman—but only if she doesn’t get caught! And there is Venetia who has her eye on a very eligible bachelor who is new to town; however, in getting involved with him she may also be getting in way over her head! Through the eyes of all these women we see how a town banded together during the difficult times of World War II and bought a bright spot into the war-torn gloom.
The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner
I talked about this one in my post Books I Have Been Enjoying this Fall. What do a farmer, an American actress, a young widow, and a doctor all have in common? Why their love of Jane Austen of course! This is the charming fictional story of a real society founded in England shortly after World War II to preserve Jane Austen’s home and heritage. I read this book shortly after it came out in 2020 and it is one of those rare books that has a strong sense of self that I find my mind still wandering back to the English countryside depicted within its pages.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
This is a perfectly delightful and enjoyable read which also takes place in England at the of World War II. Both The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society spotlight what England was like in the wake of World War II, especially in a part of England that had been occupied by the Nazis in World War II. The title “Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” is thusly named because there was still no sugar to make real pie immediately following World War 11. Pies were scraped together with whatever ingredients were readily available at the time! This is the story of a young journalist who is trying to rebuild her life after World War II. She comes to Guernsey and starts to find her place again as she is slowly able to connect with the inhabitants of Guernsey over their mutual love of books.
Marilla of Green Gables by Sarah McCoy
Most likely you have at least heard of Anne of Green Gables—this is a sort of prequel, if you will, about the Marilla we know from Anne of Green Gables in her formative years and the events that transpired to make her the Marilla we know and love. I have to be honest, this probably is not the most compelling book on its own merits; however, for those of you who are Anne of Green Gables lovers and just want more, I urge you to pick this book up and be embraced back into the character you know and love from Anne of Green Gables. If you are not familiar with the story of Anne of Green Gables, I think you may actually end up enjoying the plot of this book even more and that it may just inspire you to read the actual Anne of Green Gables!