It’s that time of year again! Time for me to talk about my favorite cozy audiobook recommendations. I have listened to a lot of audiobooks this year, and I am excited to talk about some of my favorites. I created a list just like this last year, which you can read here. Since Autum is the best time to listen to audiobooks, I wanted to make another post, full of more audiobook recommendations that are perfect for cool nights and cozy evenings.
I love me some scary stories. Something that will make me afraid to turn my lights off. But sometimes I just want to relax and actually get a good night’s sleep. So whenever I am feeling something not so scary, I turn to cozy books. Books that make me feel all warm inside. So, you will find that nothing on this list is too scary. These are books that can be read during the day or late at night. However, they are still perfect for fall!
People Like Us by Dana Mele
I find mystery stories so cozy, and I also love when books are set at boarding school. Mix that together and you get People Like Us by Dana Mele. This story follows Kay, who is being blackmailed by a dead girl… or someone impersonating her. I really enjoyed this story because it was predictable, yet still enjoyable. With no surprises, I was able to relax while listening to the audiobook. But despite its predictability, the story was still intriguing, and the author created interesting situations for the characters that were fun to listen to.
The Seven 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
I have mentioned this before, but I wasn’t the biggest fan of The Seven 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. But I will say one thing about it, it was very cozy. The entirety of the story happened in one manor, which was a group of characters that were all very unique and interesting to read about. With the switching perspectives that this book used, the reader is given a whole view of the story and the mystery behind it. Plus, I just find mysteries cozy overall.
Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
Going in a different direction from the cozy mystery genre is Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia. I never thought I would be saying this, but sometimes contemporary stories can give all the warm and fuzzies. Something about watching the main character do something she loved, and the relationships she forms on and off the Internet made me feel all warm inside. And the ending made me feel so whole and complete.
The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
Okay, back to mysteries. I would have never picked this book up if it weren’t for my mom reading it. I totally judge books by their covers, and this one is kind of boring. So when I started listening to the audiobook for The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave, I was surprised that I actually enjoyed it. The author had a way of drawing me in, and I kept wanting to listen to the next chapter so I could see where the story was going. This one didn’t have as cozy an ending as I usually like from a mystery, but the way everything wrapped up, and the characters relationships made it a nice audiobook to listen to during the cooler fall months.
Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco
I would say that Kingdom of the Wicked is probably the “scariest” book on this list of cozy audiobook recommendations, but it is definitely not a horror or a thriller. the spookiest part about it is the character of Wrath, who is a Prince of Hell. One factor that makes me really enjoy an audiobook is the world building, and I think Maniscalco does a pretty successful job at creating something tangible in this book. I haven’t been a fan of previous works by this author, and Kingdom of the Wicked could definitely use some work in characterization, but I really enjoyed listening to this story unfold in such a unique environment created by the author.
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan
Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan has to be one of my favorite reads this year, and the audiobook is absolutely fantastic. The cozyest part of this book is the wonderful characterization and the relationships that the author creates. I also love how the magic is written in this story. Although I love a good story about someone discovering their powers and growing into them, I also love reading a world where the magic is just there. It is entangled in every part of the world. My favorite books to read are escapist, and it is so easy to escape into worlds like the one Ngan created.
A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow
Yet another beautiful and gripping fantasy, this one set in the real world. A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow follows Tavia and Effie as they navigate dealing with their magical powers in a world that doesn’t accept them. I love the relationship between Tavia and Effie. It was heart-warming to see this type of found family/friendship connection in a young adult novel. I also loved reading the fantasy elements juxtaposed against real life issues like racism and xenophobia. It gave the story a real quality that helped me connect with the story more. Definitely a favorite from this year.
Fantasies, mysteries, and heart-warming contemporary stories. Those are all some of my favorite books to read when I am not scaring myself with horror and thriller novels. Sometimes you just need a break from all the Halloween content, even I can admit that.
Let me know in the comments below if you have any audiobook recommendations! I am always looking for more!
