With how busy the hustle and bustle of our modern-day lives has gotten, it’s no wonder people are looking for an escape back to simpler times. The cottagecore aesthetic has blossomed in recent years, making its way onto our bookshelves. If you find yourself longing for a literary escape, you’re in luck! We’ve curated a list of some popular cottagecore books for you to try out.
What is Cottagecore?
Before you pick up a cottagecore book, it’s important to understand what type of content you’re getting into. Cottagecore can be defined by an aesthetic that celebrates nature, romanticizes quaint rural life, and focuses on comforting and happy themes. While this can also refer to fashion and interior design, it translates beautifully to books!
The Main Elements of Cottagecore Books:
- Forrest or farm settings
- Rural lifestyles
- Cozy vibes
- Lighthearted plots
- Slower pacing
- Appreciation for nature
- Caring characters
Consider These Popular Cottagecore Books
The next time you’re searching for your next read, whether that’s in the aisles of your favorite bookstore or the catalogs of your favorite audiobook service, keep a look out for these cottagecore books:
1. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden has been a classic since 1911—and with good reason! Follow the timeless journey of Mary Lennox, a spirited and often overlooked child who, after being left alone and orphaned by a cholera outbreak, finds herself swept away to her estranged uncle’s misty manor in Yorkshire, England. When Mary discovers a hidden and neglected garden, she must band together with a local boy, Dickon, and her sickly cousin, Colin, to bring the garden back to life—and she just may heal old wounds and discover the power of friendship along the way.
Burnett’s The Secret Garden is often touted as one of the original cottagecore books. Chock full of whimsical nature elements and told from a child’s perspective, this title paved the way for countless other cottagecore titles, making it the perfect introductory book in the genre, whether you’re reading aloud to your kids or enjoying it by yourself.
Other Cottagecore Classics:
- Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
- Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
2. The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin
If you’re looking for a cottagecore book that feels a touch more modern yet still hits the necessary requirements, The Music of Bees is for you. Meet Alice Holtzman, a forty-four-year-old recently widowed woman who can’t seem to stop having panic attacks that even her beloved honeybees can’t save her from. When she meets Jake, a paraplegic mohawked teen living in a bad situation, and Harry, a twenty-four-year-old with debilitating social anxiety, they strike up an unlikely friendship on her bee farm. When a ruthless pesticide company moves to town and threatens the local honeybee population, the trio must band together to save the bees—and themselves in the process.
Though this doesn’t sound like your typical cottagecore book, it certainly fits the bill. Set on a rural farm, this story features bees that act as their own character in this compelling book of how protecting nature can heal humanity and bring even the most different people together, making this a must-read (or must-listen, with audiobooks).
3. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
Fans of this genre will tell you that the word cottagecore is basically synonymous with Allen’s Garden Spells. For generations, the magically gifted Waverly family has tended to their peculiar garden, famous for a feisty prophetic apple tree and edible flowers imbued with special powers—an oddity that makes them outcasts of their town. Claire Waverly, a successful caterer who uses the mystical plants in her cooking, and her cousin Evanelle, a family elder known for gifting presents whose uses become uncannily clear, have crafted a perfectly simple, albeit lonely existence. But when Claire’s rebellious sister comes back years after abandoning the family, life as they know it is turned upside down.
Filled with magical undertones and beautiful nature, this cottagecore book has everything, making it an essential title in your collection. If stories of sisterly love and healing old wounds through the power of family warm your heart, this is the book for you.
4. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is written as a compilation of letters, making every page turn feel extra cozy and personal. This post-WWII story focuses on writer Juliet Ashton as she searches for her next book subject—who would have thought she would find her leading man in a letter from a man she’s never even met? As she and her correspondent begin to exchange letters, she begins to write with the wonderfully eccentric members of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, learning more about their island tastes in books and the impact of German occupation on their slow and rural lifestyles. But it doesn’t end there—wait until you find out what happens when she visits the island for herself!
If you’re searching for a cottagecore book that lacks magical elements but is still filled with humor, warmth, and loveable characters, this is the perfect title to pick up. Enjoy this lighthearted plot and fall in love with the kooky society members, just like Juliet did!
5. The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jeanne Birdsall
Despite their drastically different personalities, the Penderwick sisters, Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty, are thicker than thieves. When their father spirits them away to a beautiful estate called Arundel for the summer, they find themselves busy discovering the magic of the sprawling gardens, rifling through the treasures in the mysterious attic, and befriending the owner’s son, Jeffry Tifton, who quickly becomes the perfect companion for their whimsical adventures. Even after his icy mother warns them to stay out of trouble, the five decide to make this a summer they’ll never forget in The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy.
While this title may be mainly aimed at children, these short, nostalgic books are perfect for readers of all ages. If you crave a heartwarming tale about childhood adventure, beautiful nature settings, and life from simpler times, the Penderwick family will welcome you with open arms.
What’s the Best Way to Read a Cottagecore Book?
The best way to read a cottagecore book is completely up to you! If you love the feeling of lounging around in the sun curled up with a physical copy, grab one from your local bookstore. If you prefer professional voice actors to bring the story to life, choose audiobooks through Novel’s Libro.fm - the choice is yours.
With so many titles and types of genres to choose from, anyone can fall in love with the slow, magical feel of cottagecore books. Choose one of our suggestions or find another that tickles your fancy today.
