Curated Reads: Cosy November

November is the month for cosiness. It’s comfort, in every sense of the word, from what you wear and eat, to what you read. This is the time where we chase out the colder, darker nights with childhood-favourite films or a new, darker mystery series. November, to me, is the month for reading: for curling up with a steaming cup of tea and a novel; long autumnal walks with an audiobook and crunching leaves for company; a light-hearted e-book on the train home to distract from the fact that it’s now dark at four-thirty. This week’s collection of books encompasses this cosiness, curated to provide a source of comfort and warmth in this colder month.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

This is the quintessential November book. Set in a prestigious New England college, it’s dark, hedonistic and gothic. It follows Richard, a student who enrols into a small, exclusive Ancient Greek course alongside five wealthy classmates under the charge of the charismatic Professor Julian Morrow. Now, it’s been thirty years since it was first published and it has become a modern classic and a pioneer of the dark academia genre which lends itself so perfectly to November evenings.

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

Cosy mysteries have become increasingly popular this year, to the extent of the term being included in this year’s dictionary additions. It refers to murder mysteries that contain less gore and violence than your traditional thriller. While The Thursday Murder Club is one of the best-known series in this new genre, I’m recommending his new novel, We Solve Murders instead. Private bodyguard Amy teams up with celebrity author Rosie and her father-in-law Steve to solve a string of murders seemingly connected to Amy. The audiobook is narrated by actress Nicola Walker- perfect for those aforementioned autumn walks.

Comfort by Yotam Ottolenghi

This cookbook does exactly what it promises- provide you with recipes for all sorts of comfort food,  but with the signature Ottolenghi flavours. However, it doesn’t contain the complexity and the rarer ingredients that his cookbooks are known for. Instead, it’s simple comfort food with twists from different cuisines. Pastas, stews, soups and sweet treats, it contains 10 chapters of all kinds of proper comfort food. Besides, what better way to spend a rainy day than by trying a new recipe?

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

For a more light-hearted pick, I’ve gone for this romcom. If the name doesn’t sell you, the generous nods to Gilmore Girls(including the author’s pseudonym) certainly will. The romance is set in a small town and follows Jeanie, who has just inherited a coffee shop, and Logan, a farmer. It may not be the best piece of literature ever written, but November can also mean university deadlines, and sometimes a pleasant, easy read is what’s needed after coursework has been handed in.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

You may recognise the title from the Studio Ghibli movie, and like most books adapted to film, it contains much more detail, making it the perfect form of escapism. It’s an enchanting fantasy containing magic, witches and wizards, and of course, a moving castle. For anyone that has seen the film first, the book differs enough that you will still be engaged; and if you haven’t watched the film, I highly recommend you read it first!

That’s a wrap on my recommendations for this week. They’re tailored to wrap you in cosiness this November, and offer comfort to help you make the most of the colder days. Whether you opt to listen to one of these fictional stories while braving the wind and snow, or you try your hand at making one of these recipes with friends or flatmates, I hope they bring you a little bit of cosiness to your month. Happy reading – and cooking!