Bookworm Cottage Style

I love a book focused on family or found family. While some of these picks are dramas, many of the books on this list are quirky and heartwarming. As always, I’ve personally read and would recommend each of the books below.

Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett (2022; 368 pages) // ​​In this quirky book, a young woman returns home to a small town in New Hampshire to help care for an ill family member, while also stumbling on a missing persons case. The book is narrated by graveyard ghosts and has hints of magical realism throughout. The author does a beautiful job exploring family dynamics, showing up for our loved ones, and addressing the opioid crisis with empathy and compassion. Plus, it is just so much fun to read. I highly recommend this delightful book!

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (2019; 352 pages)  // I really enjoy epic novels spanning multiple decades, so this family drama from Ann Patchett was a page turner for me. The writing was smart, even a bit witty, and although it was an engrossing, quick read, it has enough depth to stick with you for awhile. Fans of Ann Patchett know that she doesn’t exactly write fairy tales. The main characters were flawed, but ultimately likable. I also appreciated the intergenerational friendships that developed throughout the book. While the book covered loss, abandonment, and resentment, it still struck me as an overall hopeful read. 

Did Ye Hear Mammy Died by Séamas O’Reilly (2022; 240 pages) // This is one of the funniest books I’ve read in ages! Did Ye Hear Mammy Died is a memoir about growing up with 10 siblings in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. It is heartfelt and lively and I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson (2019; 272 pages) // Nothing to See Here is a heartwarming, feel-good story about finding your calling in life and celebrating the strange quirks that make us different. The story follows a young woman who begins nannying for children who magically spontaneously combust when they become emotional. As the nanny and children begin building each other’s trust, the most beautiful found family begins to emerge. I have not picked up a book that is all at once as funny, whimsical, and heartfelt as this since finishing TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea. This outlandish and loving novel was also a previous Read with Jenna book club pick.

The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (2020; 400 pages) // ​​I became completely endeared to the quirky characters in this cozy, magical feel-good book. As protagonist Linus learns to challenge his first impressions of magical orphan children with strange, sometimes dangerous abilities, readers are invited to challenge their own prejudices as well, to treat others with compassion, and to recognize that our flaws alone don’t define our character.

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff (1970; 106 pages) // This book absolutely moved me! 84, Charing Cross Road is not a typical story – it is actually just a collection of real-life letters sent between a New York writer and a London bookseller over the span of two decades. I laughed, I cried, and I became so invested in their cross-continental friendship. The book itself is slim (just under 100 pages with lots of white space) and I devoured the whole thing in about an hour. I have already read it twice, and anticipate turning to it anytime I’m craving a reminder of shared human decency and connection.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (2014; 352 pages) // Yes, I’ve recommended this one before! This is a top contender for my #1 all-time favorite book. This book follows a curmudgeonly, lonely widower named Ove who has lost the will to live – until a friendly, chaotic new family moves next door, and awakens a spark within Ove. Such a beautiful story of friendship and resilience.