Thatched roofs, snug cottages, warm colors, idyllic forest settings, and homemade bread — these are the images the word “cottagecore” brings to mind. It’s not only an aesthetic, but a movement that encourages a simpler, more intentional lifestyle.
Cottagecore activities include crafting, baking, gardening, and sewing, but since this vibe is all about taking it easy and enjoying the little things, reading is just as fitting. These cottagecore book recommendations evoke warm and homey feelings while revealing the joy found in nature, community, and a slower pace of life.
Snuggle up to the fire or under your favorite tree and escape into this cottagecore reading list, which includes fiction and nonfiction. I suggest starting with Legends & Lattes, which sparked the cozy fantasy craze. Or, if you prefer a classic, Anne of Green Gables has some of the most idyllic descriptions of nature I’ve ever read.
1. Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell
Bakewell’s YA novel is a cottagecore fantasy dream filled with blooming flowers, gentle magic, and slow-burn romance.
When Clara accidentally curses her father with a potentially deadly spell, she must ask Xavier — the boy she once loved before he became distant — for help. As they work to reverse the curse and control Clara’s magic, the truth about Xavier’s coldness slowly comes to light.
Flowerheart also touches on important themes like mental health, as Clara suffers from anxiety. It’s a comforting reminder to reach out for help instead of suffering alone.
2. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
This cozy fantasy is a fan favorite and BookTok sensation. It’s a charming respite from modern life that celebrates the act of slowing down and finding a nurturing community.
Viv, an orc barbarian, just wants to hang up her sword and open a coffee shop. But getting out of the warrior business isn’t as simple as giving two weeks’ notice.
After publishing this novel in 2022 to much fanfare, Baldree released the prequel, another cottagecore delight called Bookshops & Bonedust, in late 2023.
3. Mamo by Sas Milledge
After the death of young Orla O’Reilly’s grandmother Mamo, the witch of Haresden, magical mishaps and supernatural happenings deteriorate the quality of life around town. Orla must save the town from this series of catastrophes, while also working to step out of the shadow of Mamo and her powerful magic.
This Lambda Literary Award winner — part one of Milledge’s series — is whimsical and full of lessons on legacy and determination. Mesmerizing illustrations only make this graphic novel more cottagecore-esque.
4. Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
When searching for cottagecore books to read, the horror genre probably doesn’t come to mind. But, Kingfisher brilliantly (as usual) reimagines a classic fairy tale in ways that push it into cottagecore territory. Plus, Thornhedge is more gothic and fanciful than frightening.
Toadling, raised by the fae, guards a tower that holds a sleeping princess and dark secrets. After centuries, a prince arrives to save the damsel, not realizing his actions could destroy the world.
If you’re still not sold, Kingfisher’s A Wizard's Guide To Defensive Baking may be more your speed.
5. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Montgomery’s story of a young orphan finding her way has charmed readers for generations. And now, it’s a cottagecore staple — from the coastal 19th-century setting to Anne’s imaginative musings about nature, romance, and friendship.
Of course, there’s also Green Gables itself, Anne’s charming new home that she immediately falls in love with (as do we all).
6. Heidi by Johanna Spyri
Another timeless classic about a young orphan girl, Heidi delivers cottagecore vibes in the breathtaking Swiss Alps as the titular heroine adapts to life under the care of her grandfather. The remote landscape soon becomes her true home.
7. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
After losing her parents, young Mary Lennox is sent to the English countryside to live with her uncle. When she learns of a mysterious garden long-since locked away, Mary becomes determined to find it. This story’s lush, rural setting is cottagecore at its finest.
8. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
Is there anything more cottagecore than a group of small, sentient animals lounging about the River Thames, exploring the forests, and visiting one another’s cozy homes? Grahame’s beloved children’s book was inspired by the bedtime stories he told his son, making them all the more endearing to readers of any age.
9. Village School by Miss Read
Welcome to the wholesome world of Fairacre. Read’s series follows the goings on in a quintessential English village in the 1950s. A schoolteacher (also named “Miss Read”) is the main character, but the story follows many of her neighbors’ lives as well.
Nostalgic and filled with dry English humor, Village School is a comforting read that’s ideal for cottagecore lovers. Read’s Thrush Green series, which takes place in Fairacre’s neighboring village, is equally charming.
10. The Tale of Hill Top Farm by Susan Wittig Albert
Wittig Albert manages to unite two equally cottagecore elements in this story: the cozy mystery genre and the aesthetics of Beatrix Potter, a fictionalized version of whom helms this novel. (Potter is the author of the Peter Rabbit series and other cottagecore classics).
After losing the love of her life, Beatrix moves to a village in the Lake District to start over. But when one of her new neighbors dies mysteriously, Beatrix must solve the case (with help from her animal friends, of course).
The Cottage Tales series continues with The Tale of Holly How.
11. The Little Book of Cottagecore by Emily Kent
Maybe you want to take this lifestyle beyond vibes and into action. Kent’s book is a great starting point.
Cottagecore activities highlight the simple pleasures. Slow down and relax while enjoying hands-on activities like candle and soap making, basic sewing, baking, and gardening. Step-by-step guides are included.
12. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Quiet yet powerful, brilliant and contemplative, this book builds a bridge between humankind and the natural world. A significant element of cottagecore is reconnecting with — and learning from — nature, so Braiding Sweetgrass is a must-read.
As an Indigenous botanist, Wall Kimmerer’s wisdom is unmatched and thought-provoking.
13. The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
What some call cottagecore, others call hygge (pronounced hoo-ga). It’s a way of life in Denmark that’s rooted in intimate friendships, mindfulness, and lots of candles. Is it any surprise that a country that focuses so much on engineering lovely moments tends to be happier than others?
14. Cider with Rosie by Laurie Lee
Lee’s lush descriptions of a childhood spent in a humble Cotswolds cottage and its surrounding garden are like a word feast for cottagecore enthusiasts. But while simple living is often romanticized in our modern lives, these post-war remembrances reveal a different angle: the struggle to live — and live joyfully — on so little.
Cider with Rosie is the first in Lee’s Autobiographical Trilogy, and the late author and poet’s remarkable literary talent shines in each installment.
15. Fieldwork by Iliana Regan
Regan’s second memoir, after National Book Award–nominee Burn the Place, is a meditation on food, nature, family, and home. The author discusses growing up on a farm, running a restaurant, and opening the Milkweed Inn in Michigan, where locally-sourced ingredients are the main attraction.
Through it all, foraging allowed her to connect with nature and embrace her identity. Fieldwork is personal to Regan but relatable to all readers, especially those interested in sustainability.
16. Grimoire Girl by Hilarie Burton Morgan
Cottagecore and witching often run in parallel. Their harmony makes sense — both tend to incorporate nature, herbalism, craftsmanship, and reflection. In a Venn diagram between the two lifestyles, you’ll find Burton Morgan’s memoir in the middle.
The actress best known for playing Peyton Sawyer on One Tree Hill delivers whimsy, wit, and wisdom — with a hint of magic. Grimoire Girl is a vulnerable reflection on the ordinary moments that, when cherished, build a life and a legacy worth leaving behind.
The Rural Diaries, the author’s first memoir, is another dose of cottagecore reading, as it recounts her farm life in Upstate New York.
17. The Zero-Waste Kitchen by Stephanie Marie Seferian
There’s often an overlap between sustainability and cottagecore, especially if you’re interested in living a more rural life, growing your own food, or reducing waste.
Learn how to simplify your kitchen practices and reduce food waste (thus making the most of your garden) with advice from Seferian. This concise guide is insightful and actionable.
