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15 Books to Read Rainy Day Reads That Feel Like a Warm Hug
Here are my top book recommendations for rainy days when all you want to do is curl up in bed and read
1. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Topics & Genre: Found family, fantasy, feel-good fiction
Linus Baker is a lonely bureaucrat working at the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He spends his days writing dull reports and following every rule to the letter. But when he is sent on a classified assignment to investigate a mysterious orphanage on a remote island, his world turns upside down.
There, he meets six magical children—one of whom is literally the Antichrist—and their eccentric caretaker, Arthur Parnassus. What unfolds is a whimsical, heartwarming story about love, acceptance, and choosing your own family.
- Wholesome queer romance with soft edges
- Magical realism meets bureaucratic satire
- A cast of quirky, lovable children
- Rainy days need magical hugs like this one
2. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Topics & Genre: Contemporary fiction, mental health, self-discovery
Eleanor Oliphant lives a rigid, isolated life. She goes to work, eats the same meals, and drinks vodka alone every weekend. Her world is orderly but devoid of human connection. Everything changes when she and a co-worker, Raymond, help an elderly man who collapses in the street.
This chance encounter starts Eleanor on a journey of emotional healing and personal transformation. Beneath her awkward mannerisms lies a traumatic past that slowly surfaces. The story is tender, funny, and quietly powerful.
- Character-driven with emotional depth
- Tackles loneliness and healing without melodrama
- Unexpected friendships that feel real and earned
- It feels like watching a gray sky slowly brighten
3. 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
Topics & Genre: Memoir, epistolary, book lover’s nonfiction
This charming book is a real-life collection of letters exchanged over 20 years between Helene Hanff, a witty New York writer, and Frank Doel, a reserved British bookseller at Marks & Co in London.
What begins as a request for rare British books blossoms into a warm, lifelong friendship built on mutual respect, literary passion, and cultural differences.
The correspondence spans decades, including post-war rationing, and touches on themes of kindness, generosity, and the love of books. Despite never meeting in person, their bond becomes something profoundly moving. It’s a perfect read for bibliophiles who adore quiet stories filled with charm.
- Epistolary format makes it perfect for a slow, rainy afternoon
- A true story that reads like fiction
- Makes you want to write letters and read vintage books
- Cozy, cultured, and comforting
4. The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary
Topics & Genre: Romantic comedy, slow-burn romance
Tiffy needs a cheap place to live. Leon works night shifts and needs extra cash. So they agree to share a flat—and a bed—but at different times, communicating only through sticky notes.
What starts off as an unusual arrangement evolves into a slow-burning relationship built on kindness, respect, and witty banter. Both characters are healing from emotional wounds, and their story balances lighthearted romance with serious themes like gaslighting and grief. It’s romantic, fun, and sneakily deep.
- Clever concept and real emotional stakes
- Deals with gaslighting and past trauma gently
- Adorably awkward moments and hilarious miscommunications
- Warm, funny, and endlessly re-readable
5. The Switch by Beth O’Leary
Topics & Genre: Intergenerational fiction, contemporary women’s fiction
After a work meltdown, Leena is forced to take a two-month sabbatical. Her grandmother Eileen, recently single and seeking adventure, offers a wild idea: swap lives.
Leena moves to a tiny Yorkshire village, while Eileen heads to London to dive into online dating and new experiences. Both women end up finding more than they bargained for.
- Grandma Eileen steals the show
- Feel-good without being fluff
- Dual perspectives that keep the pace fresh
- You’ll want to call your grandma after reading this
6. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows
Topics & Genre: Historical fiction, epistolary novel, found family
Set post-WWII, this book unfolds through letters between a London writer and residents of Guernsey Island. A story of love, resilience, and the power of books to heal.
- Charming cast of quirky characters
- Wartime history told with warmth and wit
- Celebrates storytelling and human connection
- Cozy like your favorite cup of tea
7. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Topics & Genre: Contemporary fiction, grumpy-sunshine, redemption arc
Ove is a curmudgeonly man with a strict routine and a broken heart. When a new family moves in next door, his life starts to unravel in the best way.
- Heartfelt story about grief and second chances
- Found family with unexpected bonds
- Laugh-out-loud moments mixed with tears
- A grump who steals your heart
8. Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Topics & Genre: Magical realism, time travel, Japanese fiction
In a tiny Tokyo café, you can travel back in time—but only until your coffee gets cold.
- Poetic, introspective, and tender
- Time travel with emotional weight
- Four interconnected stories of longing and hope
- Reflective and soothing for gray days
9. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion
Topics & Genre: Romantic comedy, neurodivergent protagonist, opposites attract
Don Tillman, a brilliant but socially awkward professor, creates a scientific project to find a wife—and ends up falling for Rosie, who’s nothing like what he expected.
- Quirky, intelligent humor
- Neurodiverse rep with heart
- Enemies-to-lovers vibe with an offbeat twist
- Uplifting and adorable
10. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Topics & Genre: Classic children’s lit, healing, nature
A spoiled, lonely girl discovers a hidden garden—and friendship—on the Yorkshire moors. This timeless tale of transformation feels like a fresh start in book form.
- Nature as metaphor for healing
- Slow-burn friendships and personal growth
- Wholesome and atmospheric
- Like stepping into another world
11. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Topics & Genre: Classic coming-of-age, family, imagination
Anne Shirley is a redheaded, imaginative orphan who brings chaos and love to her new home on Prince Edward Island. A childhood favorite that still charms.
- Lush, descriptive setting perfect for cozy reading
- Strong, spirited heroine with big dreams
- Celebrates creativity and belonging
- Comforting like a childhood memory
12. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Topics & Genre: Classic fiction, sisterhood, resilience
Follow the March sisters—Jo, Meg, Beth, and Amy—as they navigate life, love, and ambition during the Civil War. Endlessly re-readable and full of warmth.
- Timeless themes of family and sacrifice
- Richly drawn female characters
- Nostalgic and inspiring
- A hug in book form
13. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Topics & Genre: Cozy fantasy, slice-of-life, found family
A retired orc warrior opens a coffee shop in a quiet town—and finds friendship, purpose, and love. Low-stakes fantasy that’s all vibes.
- No world-ending stakes—just cinnamon rolls and kindness
- LGBTQ+ rep with a warm heart
- Cozy vibes in a fantasy setting
- Comforting like fresh-baked bread
14. The Reading List by Sara Nisha Adams
Topics & Genre: Contemporary fiction, intergenerational friendship, book love
A lonely teenage girl and a grieving widower connect through a mysterious reading list. Books become a lifeline in this tender tale about community and belonging.
- Celebrates the magic of reading
- Diverse characters with depth
- Quietly hopeful and healing
- Reminds us that books can bring people together
15. The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
Topics & Genre: Historical fiction, women’s fiction, escapism
Four women escape dreary London for an Italian castle in the 1920s. As the sun and flowers bloom around them, so does their sense of self.
- Lush, escapist setting
- Character growth through sisterhood and solitude
- Dreamy, introspective, and hopeful
- For when you want your soul to stretch and bloom
So, Which One Will You Start With?
Rainy days are an invitation to slow down—and what better way to do that than with a story that wraps around you like a favorite blanket? I hope this list gives you the perfect next read.
If you loved this list, feel free to save it for later or share it with a fellow book lover. And let me know—which book is your ultimate rainy-day comfort read?
