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5 Cozy Fantasy Books You’re Reading for the Read Harder Challenge

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This year, we’ve been experimenting with the format of the Read Harder newsletter. My favorite part of doing this newsletter has been chatting with you all in the comments, trading recommendations, and cheering each other on as we make our way through the tasks. On Thursdays, I’ve been updating you on my current progress through the 2024 Read Harder Challenge, but I thought I’d try something new today.

If you’re not in the comments section, you’re missing the best part of Read Harder: connecting with like-minded readers! So, in addition to letting you know what I’ve been reading lately, today I’ve also rounded up some of the book titles being shared in the comments section for the first task of the challenge: Read a cozy fantasy book.

Oh, but one more thing before we get into cozy fantasies! If you’re looking for a virtual event to attend for task #4, I just heard about one happening this weekend! VirtuousCon includes special guests N.K. Jemisin, Tanarive Due, Victor LaValle, and more. It may be a quick turnaround to read the book before attending the event, but I give you official permission to reverse the order and read the book after the event, if you’d like.

Now, let’s get into cozy fantasies!

Danika Ellis

Associate Editor

Danika spends most of her time talking about queer women books at the Lesbrary. Blog: The Lesbrary Twitter: @DanikaEllis

Here are five of the cozy fantasy books that are being read for task #1, as shared in the comments! It’s worth noting that most of these are planned reads, so the commenter hasn’t actually read it to recommend yet. If you’re looking for more options for this task, though, here are some titles to choose from in addition to my recommendations!

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and illustrated by Wendy Xu —JudeReads

In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace —WoodenDress

Cursed Cocktails by S.L. Rowland —Nhensle3

the covers of the two books listed below

The Enchanted Hacienda by J. C. Cervantes —BornARaven

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming —MemphisJ913

The Baker and the Bard book cover

As for me, I didn’t read as much on my staycation as expected, but I did check off a couple of tasks: for task #1, I read The Baker and the Bard by Fern Haught, just like I planned. It’s an adorable cozy fantasy comic, perfect for fans of The Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill. I also read How Do We Relationship? Vol 10, which checks off task #22: Read a manga or manhwa. That puts me at five tasks completed so far, which is on track, though I’ve started with some of the easier tasks.

Of course, I have to also include a photo of my dog, Scrappy, as is tradition — even though he is a menace who definitely made my time off less relaxing. The first day I had off, I made a cozy little reading nest, and here is Scrappy mushing his face into the pillows for no apparent reason.

a photo of a small black and white dog with his eyes closed whose face is pressed between two couch cushions.

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What have you been reading this week? And which tasks have you completed in the Read Harder Challenge so far? Let’s chat in the comments!

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Check out all the previous 2024 Read Harder posts here!

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The comments section is moderated according to our community guidelines. Please check them out so we can maintain a safe and supportive community of readers!

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