Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge discussion

Here is a thread to discuss books you’re considering or suggesting for Task 1: Read a cozy fantasy book.

This will either be another TJ Klune book that I own, but haven't read yet (Under the Whispering Door), or A Wizard's Guide to Defensive Baking, which I bought on my birthday in April, but still haven't read.

The House in the Cerulean Sea

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross, which I already have, or Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

I'm currently thinking about doing Legends & Lattes, Howl’s Moving Castle, or That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon. I honestly want to read all three, so ideally that's what will happen if there's time lol.

Highly recommend The Tea Dragon Society and Taproot: A Story About A Gardener and A Ghost for anyone looking for comics for this task.

I've got Legends & Lattes on my holds list for this task.

I'm reading Somewhere Beyond the Sea the sequel coming out in Sept. to The House in the Cerulean Sea

Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper would be great for this challenge, or any of the other books in this series. Crumbs by Danie Stirling was also a very cozy graphic novel.

Sophie Go's Lonely Hearts Club by Roselle Lim

I already read That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon so I'm going with book 2, That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf

Heart of Stone by Johannes T Evans

This is a genre that I never heard of, and I'm wondering how far back it goes. Would something like A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court or The Wind in the Willows count? I'm also considering The Gnomobile by Upton Sinclair and Lost Horizon by James Hilton.

I've read The House in the Cerulean Sea and Legends & Lattes before so am excited for this one and seeing some good recs here.

Excited to read The 13 1/2 Lives Of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers. It was recommended to me a while ago, but I only recently picked up a copy.

Going to read Under the Whispering Door for this one. The only other TJ Klune I have read was The House in the Cerulean Sea and I really enjoyed how warm-hearted that was.

This will either be Bookshops & Bonedust or The Spellshop for me.

My recommendations: The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy, the Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, Garlic and the Vampire (graphic novel), and Tress of the Emerald Sea

I read Garlic and the Vampire last year. It was so cute! It has a sequel, Garlic and the Witch.

Planning on reading The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods!

Tea and Empathy by Shanna Swendson is my plan for this prompt!

I just read That Time I Got Drunk and Seduced a Demon. I wouldn’t categorize it as a cozy, but I’m counting it.

Bobby wrote: "This is a genre that I never heard of, and I'm wondering how far back it goes. Would something like A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court or The Wind in the Willows ..."

I think as long as you consider it to be cozy, go for it! They're typically relatively low-stakes and celebrate relationships and everyday tasks/jobs. I've only read The Wind in the Willows from your list, but I would definitely consider it cozy fantasy, even if it might not have been originally considered as such when published.

I've got Bookshops & Bonedust on hold with the library (still six weeksish until my turn!) so that will be my read for this! I also highly recommend the first book, Legends & Lattes, for this challenge, and The Tea Dragon Society. In addition, I think some of T. Kingfisher/Ursula Vernon's books would fit this challenge.

I'm planning to read Can't Spell Treason Without Tea for this one.

A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking was great!

I read That Time I got Drunk and Saved a Demon for this task. Warning - it’s graphic.

The Tea Dragon's Society! It's an incredibly cute comic, and I really want a pet peppermint dragon. I just wish they had more stories with the different dragons featured. I haven't had a chance to read the second or third in the series. I think I'm going to do that for my task.

Karen wrote: "Bobby wrote: "This is a genre that I never heard of, and I'm wondering how far back it goes. Would something like A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court or [book:The Wind in the ..."

Thank you, that's very helpful advice! I've been wanting to read The Wind in the Willows for a long time, so this would be a good opportunity to make it a priority. I also recently noticed it turning up in a couple of other cozy fantasy discussions/lists.

I'll second the recommendations for The Tea Dragon Society! I just read it for this challenge and the art is gorgeous and the story is very cozy. It could also double up for prompt #6 - Middle grade book with a lgbtqia main character.

I have never watched the movie Howl’s moving castle so I thought I would read then watch event for myself. Guys!! I didn’t last 15 minutes watching the movie! I have so many friends that LOVE that movie. But after reading the very Cozy Fantasy about a kick butt cluless female I can’t watch what they did to her in the movie. The book is SO much better. And I will one day watch the movie but I have to give myself some time to forget the book a little.

I just started The House in the Cerulean Sea as it was on my TBR and I have to say, it is not disappointing! I ready above the suggestion for this one for a cozy fantasy and since fantasy is not my typical genre, I was not sure what a cozy one is exactly...well... this books is definitely cozy fantasy!

Would the Oz books work for cozy? I never feel I "get" this term in any genre

Cin wrote: "I have never watched the movie Howl’s moving castle so I thought I would read then watch event for myself. Guys!! I didn’t last 15 minutes watching the movie! I have so many friends that LOVE that ..."

Same! I'm glad someone else feels this way. The book is one of my all time favorites, and I just couldn't watch the movie even though it seems to be a cult favorite. I would highly recommend Diana Wynne Jones' other books as well! Most of her books feel pretty 'cozy' as well and could probably fit this challenge :)

I loved the House in the Cerulean Sea so I read Under the Whispering Door for this challenge. I really enjoyed it.

I read and really enjoyed A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking. I might have reached for Legends & Lattes or Bookshops & Bonedust, but I read them both last year!

Allegra wrote: "Would the Oz books work for cozy? I never feel I "get" this term in any genre"

I've seen The Wonderful Wizard of Oz turn up on at least two lists of cozy fantasy books, so I would say yes!

TJ Klune's In the Land of Puppets wouldn't count, right? The beginning of the book does have some cozy vibes, but it's much more sci-fi with all the robots than it is fantasy. (I'm reading it right now for a book club I'm in, but I assume I can't count it for this Read Harder prompt.)

“Welcome to Fae Cafe” by Jennifer Kropf
Cozy and funny!

I'll read Redwall by Brian Jacques.

I listened to Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (read by the author) and it was indeed cozy. This is not my genre but I enjoyed the book and the narration.

If I have time, I would like to read:
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

I read That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon for this task...definitely spicy but also cozy. :) I loved it.

As I feel it's my sacred duty to recommend manga and graphic novels to as many people as possible, let me throw a couple of ideas on this list!
Giant Spider & Me: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale Vol. 1
Hakumei & Mikochi: Tiny Little Life in the Woods, Vol. 1
Witch Hat Atelier Kitchen 1
Flying Witch, Vol. 1
Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits, Vol. 1

And this one is coming out later, but I'm really excited for it and I think it fits the prompt well!
The Baker and the Bard: A Cozy Fantasy Adventure

Lucilla wrote: "I'm planning to read Can't Spell Treason Without Tea for this one."

I ended up being pretty bored with Can't Spell Treason..., but I've read (and highly recommend) Legends & Lattes, The Tea Dragon Society trilogy, Under the Whispering Door, and The House in the Cerulean Sea.

Lucilla wrote: "Lucilla wrote: "I'm planning to read Can't Spell Treason Without Tea for this one."

I ended up being pretty bored with this one, but I've read (and highly recommend) [book:Legends ..."

I've been wanting to read The Tea Dragon Society. I really need to bump that up my TBR to #1.

Marie wrote: "I've been wanting to read The Tea Dragon Society. I really need to bump that up my TBR to #1.

Definitely! It's just so soft and pretty. : ).

When it’s released in July, THE LOST STORY by Meg Shaffer. Just finished an ARC and loved it! She wrote last year’s THE WISHING GAME.

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I read The Fae’s Bride for this.

Howl’s Moving Castle … what a great suggestion!

I read Bookshops & Bonedust