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“Cozy fantasy” has quickly become one of the most popular niches in the fantasy genre, and there really is a lot to love about this style. It’s hard to pin down a single definition for cozy fantasy, but in general, it tends to avoid the enormous scope of epic or high fantasy while also steering clear of gritty, urban elements. Instead, these books have a vibe that’s more like your favorite comfort-watch TV show or a warm and cozy sweater, with a softer approach alongside stakes that can vary from small to large. They’re usually focused on familial, friendly, and/or romantic relationships just as much as — if not more than — the actual fantasy elements.
With such a broad definition that hinges a lot on “vibes,” there’s a wide range of books that fall into the cozy category. Found family is a common theme, as in “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches” by Sangu Mandanna or “Legends & Lattes” by Travis Baldree, while others, like “The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy” by Megan Bannen or “Witchful Thinking” by Celeste Martin, lean more into romance. Grab your favorite warm drink, find your favorite reading spot, and enjoy these cozy fantasy books!
And to discover even more great genres and books, check out the 2024 POPSUGAR Reading Challenge.
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Set in the early 1900s, “The Fairy Bargains of Prospect Hill” ($14) by Rowenna Miller takes place in a small farming community where, according to tradition, only a thin veil separates the humans from the world of the fae. Alaine Fairborn’s family still adheres to the old superstitions, so when her sister Delphine admits that her marriage is not what it seems, Alaine will do anything to save her sister. Unfortunately, deals with the fae are slippery, and they may have to sacrifice more than they ever expected.
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In “Witchful Thinking” ($16) by Celestine Martin, charms and magical beings are the norm in the mystic seaside town of Freya Grove. High school teacher Lucy finds herself suddenly under a particularly tricky spell, which won’t allow her to say no to anything. Complicating matters further is the return of Alex, her high school crush (and a merman) who is struggling with a hex on his own house, and he needs Lucy’s help to lift it.
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A magical island and a mysterious history are at the center of “The Magician’s Daughter” ($15) by H.G. Parry. After washing up on the hidden island of Hy-Brasil as a child, Biddy has grown up there under the care of magician Rowan and familiar Hutch. When Rowan doesn’t return from a trip off the island one night, it’s up to Biddy to venture into the unknown outside world, where she discovers secrets and conspiracies she never imagined — including ones that put her and her loved ones right in the middle of it all.
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An isolated witch finds family and love in “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches” ($14) by Sangu Mandanna. When witch Mika posts a silly video “pretending” to be a witch, it catches the attention of Nowhere House, a remote home where three young witches need help controlling their magic to avoid notice. Mika reluctantly agrees to journey to the house, where she finds herself immediately entwined in the lives of the witches and the other residents, including the prickly and protective librarian Jamie.
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If you prefer your cozy fantasy books to veer more towards magical realism than out-and-out fantasy, then you might like “Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune” ($12) by Roselle Lim. When Natalie returns home to San Francisco’s Chinatown after her mother’s death, she’s surprised to see how much the neighborhood has changed. She’s even more surprised to inherit her grandmother’s restaurant, and despite the prophecies of the neighborhood’s seer, she’s not actually sure if she wants to revive the old restaurant or leave the tough memories behind and never look back.
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“The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy” ($14) by Megan Bannen feels like “You’ve Got Mail” crossed with a quirky Western-inspired fantasy setting. Hart, a marshall patrolling supernaturally dangerous territory, and Mercy, an undertaker trying to keep her family business open, rarely have a kind word for each other. What they don’t realize is that they’re each other’s anonymous pen pals. When magical dangers threaten to encroach on their town, they’ll grow closer — but the reveal of their true identities could spoil the bond that’s been building through letters.
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“That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon” ($5) by Kimberly Lemming just might have one of the best titles of any book, ever! This short and sweet, cozy, and comic fantasy centers on Cinnamon, a spice farmer who accidentally saves the demon Fallon. Then, she finds out he’s actually not so bad — he’s trying to stop an evil witch who’s targeting his people, and now Cinnamon is getting pulled along on the adventure, too.
While K-pop has been around for decades, it’s become especially popular in recent years. Groups like BTS and Blackpink are always at the top of the music charts. Seeing as K-pop is on everyone’s mind right now, it’s no surprise that a lot of authors have drawn inspiration from the K-pop industry and fan culture to pen their latest stories. So many books about K-pop focus on aspiring idols chasing their dreams and learning what it really takes to survive in the K-pop world. There are also stories about forbidden love between K-pop idols, as well as K-pop stars unexpectedly falling for non-famous people.
For those who prefer nonfiction, there are also plenty of books about K-pop dedicated to real-life groups. They often document stars’ journey to fame — from their humble beginnings as trainees to their experiences as full-fledged K-pop idols. So if you’re eager to learn more about the industry, here are 16 books about K-pop that you’re sure to love.
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“How to Speak K-Pop” ($12) is a guidebook that helps you learn and understand the most popular Korean words and phrases used in Korean popular culture. In addition to the definitions, the book provides the pronunciations and cultural backgrounds of the words as well. It even gives you real-life examples of how slang could be used among K-pop fans or in your favorite Korean dramas or movies.
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Elena Soo and Robbie Choi are childhood best friends who promised each other they’d go to prom together. However, after Robbie moves to Korea and becomes a famous K-pop idol, Elena thinks they’ll never see each other again. That all changes when Robbie shows up at her door hoping to fulfill their childhood promise. Although she wants nothing more than to accept his invitation, Elena can’t help but hesitate due to Robbie’s legion of fans and the paparazzi that constantly follow him. Read how the story ends in “Once Upon a K-Prom” ($12).
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“Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record of BTS” ($24) documents the past decade of BTS’s career, from their time as trainees to becoming the world’s biggest K-pop stars. The group’s success story is told through interviews with all seven members of BTS, which were conducted by journalist Myeongseok Kang. The book also features unreleased photos of the group and over 330 QR codes that’ll take readers directly to all the videos, songs, and blog posts mentioned by the members throughout the interviews.
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“XOXO” ($11) centers on an aspiring cellist named Jenny who falls for a cute boy named Jaewoo after spending a magical night with him in Los Angeles. Jenny is forced to say goodbye to him when he returns home to Korea. However, when she begins attending an elite arts academy in Seoul, Jenny is surprised to run into Jaewoo at her new school and is even more shocked to learn that he’s actually a famous K-pop idol. Because his company forbids him from dating, Jenny must choose whether she should follow her head and forget about Jaewoo or follow her heart and give their love a chance.
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“K-Pop Confidential” ($11) follows a Korean American girl named Candace Park who has always dreamed of becoming a K-pop idol. One day, she decides to audition for a music label that represents SLK, her favorite K-pop group. However, with so many people competing for a spot in the company’s new girl group, Candace never expected to actually be one of the lucky ones picked. When she’s asked to become a trainee, Candace excitedly moves to Korea to follow her dreams — but quickly realizes that there’s more to being a K-pop idol than just fame and glory.
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“Fireworks” ($10) is about a 17-year-old girl named Lulu Li whose neighbor and childhood friend Kite Xu grew up to become a member of the K-pop group Karnival. After it’s announced that Kite is taking a break from his group for unknown reasons, Lulu is surprised to learn that he’s returned home and wants to reconnect with her. The two eventually develop feelings for each other, but Lulu questions whether they can make a relationship work with the pressures of fame looming over them.
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In “I’ll Be the One” ($11), Skye Shin is determined to become the first plus-size K-pop idol. After nailing an audition for a major televised K-pop competition, Skye joins the show and tries her hardest to turn her dream of debuting into a reality. Although Skye learns that being in the spotlight isn’t easy, especially with everyone having an opinion on her body, she’s able to rely on her new friends, including fellow competitor Henry Cho, for support.
What good is a living room without at least a few of the best coffee-table books? Whether or not you ever actually crack them open, they double as both home decor and signifiers of your taste, an answer to the question, “Who lives here, really?” Although a select few become inescapable—cough, Tom Ford, cough—there are so many options out there, a volume for every interest, style, and reader. And yes, they all make stellar gifts for everyone on your list, especially if you’re shopping for a housewarming present.
Art and design lovers have almost too many options to choose from, including guides on curating interiors and compendiums on movements like Afrofuturism and artists like Diane Arbus. Anyone with an interest in fashion needs a work on their favorite designer, whether it’s Virgil Abloh or Collina Strada. If you’re more of a music person, some of our favorite books dive into hip-hop jewelry and Taylor Swift’s wardrobe. And there are so many picks for foodies (like this manifesto on dinner parties), cinephiles (like this Wes Anderson explainer), and pet parents (like this collection of dog photos). Plus, Christmas coffee-table books also abound this time of year. ’Tis the season.
Like area rugs, reading chairs, and scented candles, every living space needs the right oversized volumes. Whether you’re building out your own library or shopping for a loved one with impeccable taste, these are the best coffee-table books that Glamour editors own, covet, and recommend.
How to Live With Objects$60 $38AmazonThis one throws out the traditional rules of interior design, making the case for simply surrounding yourself with gorgeous objects. (And even if you never crack it open, that cover is gorgeous.)Save on the best coffee-table books with these Amazon promo codes.
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Black Futures$40 $19Amazon“What does it mean to be Black and alive right now?” This popular collection of photos, essays, recipes, poetry, and more—all from the Black creators shaping culture today—works to answer that question.Save on the best coffee-table books with these Amazon promo codes.
Our very own coffee-table book chronicles three decades of Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards, including inspirational words by luminaries like Reese Witherspoon, Michelle Obama, Malala Yousafzai, Billie Jean King, and more.
Save on the best coffee-table books with these Amazon promo codes.
Library of Esoterica: Tarot$40 $32AmazonAnyone with even a fleeting interest in tarot needs this compendium, which features a huge array of deck designs, the meaning behind each card, and essays on the practice.Save on the best coffee-table books with these Amazon promo codes.
Molly Baz knows her way around a photogenic cookbook. We recommend you keep this one in the living room, not the kitchen.
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The Wes Anderson Collection: The Grand Budapest Hotel
This book companion to The Grand Budapest Hotel, one of Wes Anderson’s most beloved movies, features behind-the-scenes photos and interviews with the director—perfect for any devoted fan.Save on the best coffee-table books with these Amazon promo codes.
While Dolly herself once famously said, “It costs a lot to look this cheap,” her new book, an exploration of her iconic style, is pretty much exactly the opposite.
Save on the best coffee-table books with these Amazon promo codes.