Tag: cozy reading list

Posted in Bookshelf Favorites

Best Cozy Mystery Books for Beginners

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

I love a good mystery. I love a good ghost story. And even more, I love when the two come together and create a cozy paranormal mystery.

My favorite books in this genre are the ones where both the ghosts and the victims have complex stories to tell. My job as the reader is simple: I grab a blanket, pour a warm drink, settle in, and let their worlds unfold.

Here are some of my top favorites—clean reads that are perfect for beginners just starting to dip their toes into cozy and paranormal mystery waters.

1. The Aurora Teagarden Series – Charlaine Harris

I would generally hesitate to recommend anything by Charlaine Harris because of the graphic nature of her Sookie Stackhouse series. However, my sister recommended this series to me years ago, and I ended up really enjoying the mysteries.

These stories lean more character-driven than violent, and the backstories are genuinely well written. Across the series, you also get solid character growth that keeps things engaging.

Unpopular opinion: I didn’t NOT enjoy the Aurora Teagarden adaptations done by Hallmark. That said, while these books may feel primed for television, I do think some stories are better left on the page where imagination does the work.

2. The Ghost Hunter Series – Angie Fox

If you’re just starting out in paranormal cozy mysteries, this series is a great place to begin.

The character growth stands out, and the stories are genuinely enjoyable—some stronger than others, if I’m being honest. Still, the characters alone are what kept me coming back again and again. I’m currently on my second reread, which says a lot.

The ghost stories themselves are also genuinely fun. The spirits have personalities and ongoing storylines, which creates great worldbuilding and makes the series feel connected from book to book.

3. Anything by Agatha Christie

I would be remiss not to include Agatha Christie on this list.

Small disclaimer – I’ve only read one of her books, And Then There Were None, but I could not put it down once I started. She absolutely earns her reputation as the queen of mystery. While my reading experience is limited so far, I’ve also watched many adaptations on BritBox.

At some point, I fully intend to sit down, have a come-to-Jesus moment with myself, and finally work my way through more of her books.

4. The Tradd Street Series – Karen White

I enjoyed the early books in this series quite a bit. The ghost stories are excellent, and the mysteries twist and turn in satisfying ways before finally resolving. The atmosphere really stands out, and I initially liked the characters as well.

However, a few books in, the character development started to fall flat for me. If that matters less to you and you’re mainly here for the hauntings and mystery, then this series is still well worth reading. But if strong character development is a priority, you might walk away a little disappointed.

Side note: I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Karen White’s standalone novels. They are very well done and worth picking up.

And maybe that’s why I love cozy and paranormal mysteries so much. Beneath the ghosts, the clues, and the old houses with too many secrets, these stories are almost always about people – about grief, history, healing, love, and the things we leave behind.

They remind us that every place has a story, every person carries one, and sometimes even the dead still have something left to say.

So if you’re looking for mysteries that feel atmospheric without being overwhelming, haunting without being terrifying, and comforting enough to read curled up under a blanket on a rainy afternoon, these books are a wonderful place to begin.

Just don’t blame me when one book turns into an entire obsession.

Posted in Slow Reading Moments

Building Simple Cozy Habits

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

Cozy living used to describe a lifestyle. Now, it often feels more like an aesthetic wrapped up in social media perfection. But that’s not what cozy living is about at all. Not to me, anyway.

A cozy life is built on habits. Small, intentional things we do every day to comfort ourselves. Routines that make us feel human, warm, and soft again. We smooth out the rough edges of life and throw open the windows to let a fresh breeze sweep away some of the dust from the daily grind.

And none of it requires perfection.

Here are a few simple cozy habits that can help life feel a little less rushed and a lot more peaceful. Some of these are already part of my life, and some are habits I’m still learning to build.

Start Your Day Before the World Starts Asking for You

Before the notifications start. Before the pinging, the text messages, the emails, and the calls from co-workers and bosses – give yourself a little quiet time. Some alone time.

(I actually wake up very early to drive my daughter to work at 5 a.m., so this time is already built into my day.)

A few simple ways to ease into your morning:

  • Find a comfy chair, grab a coffee or tea, and just sit in the quiet
  • Spend time in your Bible or devotional. I’m currently working through a Year in the Bible study each morning
  • Open a window and let fresh air into the house
  • Light a candle and read a book
  • Take a walk before the world fully wakes up

The goal isn’t a perfect morning routine. It’s a soft landing into your day instead of an immediate jump into it.

Even five intentional minutes can change the tone of everything that follows.

Create “In-Between” Moments of Rest

Social media loves to tell us to “schedule rest.” I’m actually going to counter that advice a little bit.

If rest becomes another thing on your calendar, chances are you won’t truly rest. Your mind will still focus on everything waiting for you afterward. Instead, create moments throughout the day where you intentionally pause.

  • Step outside and just breathe for a minute
  • Give yourself a real coffee or tea break if you can
  • If you work a 9 – 5 like I do, use your breaks and lunches to actually step away from work
  • Walk your office. Walk your house. Just get up and move for five minutes
  • Leave your phone alone. There’s nothing on social media that will truly help you decompress

These tiny pauses won’t fix everything, but they do soften the edges of a busy day.

Make Ordinary Things Feel a Little Special

Cozy living often hides in the smallest upgrades to ordinary routines.

  • Use your favorite coffee mug instead of the closest one
  • Add the extra splash of flavored creamer to your coffee
  • Play music while making dinner instead of turning on the TV
  • Light a candle for absolutely no reason at all

These little things may seem small, but they remind us that everyday life deserves softness too.

Create an Evening Ritual You Actually Look Forward To

Evenings are my favorite. (Although, honestly, mornings are too.)

Nighttime feels like the gentle closing chapter of the day. It’s the winding down of the hecticness, the hustle and bustle, and if we’re being honest, it deserves a softer ending than most of us give it.

And just like everything else on this list, this doesn’t have to be complicated. Little routines matter more than elaborate ones.

  • Read instead of scrolling. Again, nothing on social media is going to help lull you to sleep
  • Take a warm shower
  • Wear your favorite pajamas
  • Write in a journal. For me, it helps clear out the bad and focus on the good
  • Dim the lights and listen to soft music

This is really about consistency. Simple habits teach your mind and body to recognize when rest is on the way.

Let’s Talk About Your Home

Your home, or even just your personal space, doesn’t need to look perfect to feel cozy. In fact, the more we chase perfection, the less cozy a space often feels because it always seems unfinished somehow.

Remember, we’re building a cozy life, not a cozy social media post. Those perfectly curated photos capture one tiny moment, not the whole reality of someone’s life.

A few simple ways to make your space feel softer:

  • Pick one cluttered area and clear it off
  • Use warm or soft lighting whenever possible
  • Keep an “emotional support” blanket nearby; something soft, comforting, and just for you
  • Create a little corner that feels peaceful and personal

When your space feels calmer, you usually do too.

Slow Down Where and When You Can

This isn’t about giving your entire life a makeover. It’s about creating small moments, turning those moments into habits, and eventually letting those habits become cozy routines.

  • Walk instead of rushing whenever you can
  • Sit down to eat and focus on your meal instead of the next thing on your list
  • Say no when you need to
  • Give yourself extra time to get ready for work, church, or an evening out

The goal is simply to be present.

Too often, we rush toward the next best thing and miss the beauty sitting right in front of us today.

A Cozy Life Is Built in Small Moments

A cozy life isn’t a destination. It’s a collection of small moments that slowly build into a way of living that feels intentional, peaceful, and warm.

You don’t need to do everything on this list. Start with one habit that feels natural instead of forced. Let it settle into your routine. Then maybe add another later on.

Over time, those little habits begin changing the overall feel of your life in ways you don’t always notice right away.

And sometimes, that softness is exactly what we’ve been needing all along.

Photo by steph on Unsplash
Posted in Bookshelf Favorites

Books Keeping Me Company Lately

Posted on by Vikki Lynn Sorensen

There’s something comforting about finding stories that feel like coming home. Lately, I’ve been leaning into cozy mysteries, small-town settings, gentle suspense, and books that let me slow down for a little while. Some of these I listened to while crocheting or working on jewelry designs, and others became the perfect companion for quiet evenings with coffee and a blanket nearby.

If your reading taste leans toward cozy, clean, atmospheric, and comforting with just enough mystery to keep the pages turning, these books might find a place on your nightstand too.

Cozy Mysteries I Can’t Stop Reading

The Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries series by Angie Fox completely pulled me in lately. These books have the perfect mix of humor, paranormal mystery, quirky characters, and cozy Southern charm.

Recent Favorites from the Series

  • Secrets, Lies and Fireflies
  • Death at the Drive-In
  • Dread and Buried
  • Give Up the Ghost
  • The Haunted Homecoming

These books feel like curling up with a Hallmark mystery movie… if the town happened to come with ghosts and hilarious supernatural chaos. They’re light enough to relax with but still keep me turning pages long past bedtime.

Small-Town Comfort Reads

Sometimes I don’t want high drama or emotionally exhausting stories. I want charming towns, layered characters, and the kind of books that feel warm and familiar.

Books That Gave Me That Feeling

  • The Sunshine Potluck Society by Lilly Mirren
  • The Inn at Rose Harbor by Debbie Macomber
  • The House at Magpie Cove by Kennedy Kerr

These are the kinds of stories I love listening to while crafting. They’re calming without being boring, emotional without becoming heavy, and full of the kind of cozy atmosphere I always seem to crave.

Mystery Reads with Atmospheric Vibes

I’ve also been enjoying mysteries that feel a little moodier and more layered.

Recently Read

  • Telling Tales
  • The Crow Trap

Both by Ann Cleeves.

These books have such a strong sense of place. I love mysteries where the setting almost becomes its own character, and these definitely delivered that for me.

I also recently read:

  • You’d Be Home Now
  • The Cut

Both had a very different feel from my usual cozy reads, but sometimes stepping outside my comfort zone reminds me why I love reading in the first place. Every book leaves something behind, even the unexpected ones.

Why Cozy Reading Matters to Me

Reading has become part of the rhythm of my everyday life. Some people unwind with television. I unwind with stories, yarn, embroidery floss, coffee, and audiobooks playing softly in the background.

Books help me slow down.

They help me reconnect creatively.

And honestly, they make ordinary evenings feel a little more magical.

That’s what I hope this space becomes here at Clean Reads & Cozy Sips — a cozy corner for readers who love comforting stories, meaningful characters, peaceful routines, and the quiet joy of getting lost in a good book.