Spring has finally arrived (the winter was quite obstinate this year) and what better way to enjoy this beautiful season than with a good book?
Read on for our top cozy spring reads!
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim
With its beautiful setting in a medieval Italian castle and joyous descriptions of nature, this novel is a real spring comfort. Four very different women decide to go on holiday to find respite from their mundane lives and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Italian countryside. The novel is beautifully written, with vivid descriptions of the lush gardens, sparkling sea, and sun-drenched hills of Italy. Von Arnim’s prose is both lyrical and evocative, painting a picture of a magical place where the women can find solace and renewal.
Uncle Fred in the Springtime by P.G. Wodehouse
If you’re a fan of the Blandings Castle and its whimsical proprietor Lord Emsworth, you will enjoy the hilarious adventures that occur after Frederick Altamont Cornwallis Twistleton, Fifth Earl of Ickenham, better known as Uncle Fred, gets invited by Lord Emsworth to rescue his precious Empress of Blandings from competitor’s clutches. The novel is filled with Wodehouse’s trademark wit and humor, as well as his clever wordplay and absurd situations. Uncle Fred is a larger-than-life character who delights in causing chaos and confusion wherever he goes, and his interactions with the other characters are both entertaining and unpredictable. The plot of the novel is fast-paced and engaging, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Wodehouse’s writing is beautifully crafted, with vivid descriptions of the English countryside and the various characters’ eccentricities.
Excellent Women by Barbara Pym
One of Pym’s richest and most amusing high comedies, follows Mildred Lathbury, a clergyman’s spinster daughter in 1950s England as she gets involved in the lives of her new neighbours – anthropologist Helena Napier and her handsome, dashing husband, Rocky, and Julian Malory, the vicar next door. Pym’s writing is witty and observant, and she has a keen eye for the social mores and expectations of her time. The novel is full of sharp observations about gender roles, class differences, and the challenges faced by unmarried women in a society that values marriage and family above all else.
Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
This wickedly funny portrait of British rural life in the 1930s follows Flora Poste, a recently orphaned socialite, as she moves in with her country relatives, the gloomy Starkadders, and becomes embroiled in a web of violent emotions, despair, and scheming. The Starkadders are a motley crew of odd and eccentric characters, each with their own quirks and peculiarities. There’s Aunt Ada Doom, who is obsessed with the “something nasty” that happened in the woodshed when she was a child, and Seth, the brooding and handsome farmhand who harbours a dark secret. The novel is full of hilarious scenes and absurd situations, from Flora’s attempts to modernize the farm to her efforts to reform her wayward cousin, Elfine.
The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield
This short delight set in the early 1900s follows Laura, a privileged young woman, as she prepares for a garden party hosted by her family. Mansfield’s evocative writing style transports the reader to the lush gardens where the party takes place. The story is rich in sensory details, from the smell of the roses to the taste of the cream puffs, which creates a vivid and immersive reading experience. The Garden Party is a masterful exploration of complex themes and emotions. It offers a glimpse into the societal norms and expectations of the time, while also showcasing the inner turmoil and growth of its young protagonist.
Emma by Jane Austen
Emma is probably our favourite Jane Austen character – vain, spoilt, and irrepressibly witty. Emma is a complex and flawed heroine, prone to overestimating her own abilities and making misguided attempts at matchmaking. Her interactions with the other characters, including the charming and enigmatic Mr. Knightley, the naive and vulnerable Harriet Smith, and the eccentric and hypochondriacal Mr. Woodhouse, are both entertaining and illuminating. With Austen’s signature irony and vivid depictions of relationships, Emma is a truly fun (and funny) classic to enjoy this spring.
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
The ultimate spring comfort read that we love returning to: the elderly Matthew Cuthbert and his stern sister Marilla want to adopt a boy to help out on their farm, but they end up with feisty Anne who wins them over completely. With its lovely descriptions of nature depicted through Anne’s wondrous perspective and the rich exploration of topics of vulnerability, family, growing up, and love, Anne of Green Gables is a pure literary delight.
We hope these book recommendations inspire you to curl up with a good book this spring.
Happy reading!
PS. Don’t forget to check out our spring collections in the shop. We’re all about cozy cottagecore and cute bookish stuff this spring!
Erna Grcic 