Chilly days are the perfect days for curling up with a good book or a captivating magazine...
and if it's a rainy or snowy day, well, that makes it all the more perfect in my book!
{{smiles}}
As I was pondering the theme of "coziness", which seems to be a reoccurring theme for many of my posts during this series, reading immediately came to mind. Even during times when I'm not necessarily in the mood to read a long book, magazines are always a go-to. Several years ago, I had probably six or seven subscriptions that came every month in the mail. However, I have narrowed it down to my most favorite, most beloved magazines that I absolutely don't want to miss. Now it's just four...and I'm so excited to share them with you today!
Before I get on with sharing my favorite subscriptions, I want to mention "Taste of Home". They have a lovely magazine and I used to subscribe to it, however, now I just order their annual cookbook every year. It has all the recipes from the entire year's magazines but it's so much easier to keep a hardcover book instead of an entire year's worth of magazines...especially when you collect them for many years!
Every year they offer many special issues that you can only get online or in stores. (They aren't a part of the annual subscriptions.) I don't pick these up every time a new one comes out or even every single year, but every so often if one looks special, I'll grab it and add it to my collection. I've probably been gathering these since I was about thirteen! I especially love the holiday or seasonal issues and have found many tasty recipes in them! They're practically a cookbook just in magazine form.
The first two magazines that I subscribe to are "Tea Time" and "Victoria". Both of these are incredibly inspiring and beautiful...whenever I receive a new one in the post, I always set aside a special time to just sit and savour all the wonderful-ness that it holds. I've gotten tons of ideas and recipes and inspiration from these gems, as well as simply just admiring the stunning photos that grace the pages. Each issue has such a cozy and homey feel and I love that!
Next up are two publications from Stampington and Company. I've gotten several of their other publications and whilst I enjoy them, my absolute favorites are "Willow and Sage" which focuses on natural, organic, homemade bath, home and body products. And then, of course, is the ever-so-beautiful "Bella Grace". There aren't words to describe the beauty of this magazine and the lifegiving words that each issue offers, but I do so enjoy this publication every time a new issue comes out.
I first discovered these publications when we were packing for a seven-hour flight almost three years ago. I grabbed a few different magazines at Barnes and Noble, these two being a couple of the ones I chose. They kept me company on the long flight as well as many wintry evening in our holiday house sitting by the crackling fire. I will always associate them with that trip and love the pleasure and delight they offer me each time I pick one up to read.
Of course, I can't leave off books! Books are the perfect companion for those cold days and early nights. And I've got a handful that I think are just perfect for cozy reading...
If you aren't opposed to reading a good Christmas story in the autumn, I highly suggest Jan Karon's Shepherd's Abiding or Miss Read's Christmas at Fairacre. Both of these books take place in charming towns and invite you into the stories of real, quirky, genuine characters. Their stories will touch your heart and warm you from the inside out.
Any book by Janette Oke is a cozy read in my opinion. I haven't by any means read all of her books, but I have enjoyed a number of the books in her Love Comes Softly series. And for whatever reason, whenever I read her books or watch the movies that go along with them, I get the hankering to whip up a batch of pancakes...maybe that's because Missy makes them in the story, I don't know. But I always do!
Sarah Loudin Thomas' A Tapestry of Secrets is a favorite of mine...and one that I need to pull out and read again! I shared all about it HERE back in the spring. It's a story about family and legacy and the power of secrets...definitely one you won't want to put down!
I'm currently embarking on the endeavour of reading The Elm Creek Quilt series by Jennifer Chiaverini, and am just barely into the first book (out of twenty!). But so far it is very enjoyable and with all the talk of small towns and neighbors and quilting circles and such, it has a very cozy vibe.
Finally, any time of year is perfect for a bit of Anne of Green Gables, but there is, in my opinion, something particularly cozy about these books in the autumn and winter months. The adventures and journey of Anne suck you in and before you know it, you feel as if you are rambling around Prince Edward Island right along with her.
And now for a few inspiring non-fiction favorites...
Sarah Clarkson's Book Girl will reawaken that burning desire to read in just about anyone. You can't read this book without coming away with a book list that's a mile long...or longer.
Recapturing the Wonder offers both encouragement and a challenge to recapture the wonder in your life. We are reminded of just how disenchanted we have become and this book really put a strong, everlasting passion within me for this very topic...to rekindle the wonder and imagination that most of us have lost hold of since we were children.
If you're looking for a book that walks you through the seasons and month with a focus on nature and beauty and ordinary delights and everyday blessings, look no further than Christie Purifoy's Roots and Sky. Reading this book was like reading a poem with words strung together with such grace, almost as if it were a song. Each page held such treasures and it was like receiving a gift with every turn of the page.
For any bit of coziness and home comforts, I loved The Cozy Life...all about adding hygge to your life, all times of the year, not just when it turns cold outside. I love the simplicity of this book as well as all the ideas and inspiration that it offered. It's a quick read but full of little bits of goodness!
And, without leaving off two of my personal favorites...
Autumn seems to me to be the perfect time to gather in and refocus on the home. Sally Clarkson's The Lifegiving Home and The Lifegiving Table are just the books to set you in the right direction. They encourage, inspire and challenge, as well as convict you in many places and give the reader lots of ideas to simply implement such impacting changes in your home and family. I can't think of a better time to turn your eyes in your own four walls and refocus on the dwelling place you call home and those precious folks you share it with.
Well, there you have it! I hope I've shared some cozy reading companions with you and inspired you to pour a cuppa tea or cocoa and settle in with a blanket and a good book...
What are you favorite cozy reads?