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Pick a Cozy Video Game and Get a Book Recommendation

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CJ Connor

Contributor

CJ Connor is a cozy mystery and romance writer whose main goal in life is to make their dog proud. They are a Pitch Wars alumnus and an Author Mentor Match R9 mentor. Their debut mystery novel BOARD TO DEATH is forthcoming from Kensington Books. Twitter: @cjconnorwrites | cjconnorwrites.com

It’s never a bad time to spend an evening in with a cozy video game. What I look for in a video game above most other qualities is how comforting it is. I love games that provide a little break from real-life stressors. This year, I even downloaded the mobile version of Stardew Valley on my phone for if I am having a rough time. The idea is that I can decompress with five or ten minutes of farming escapism and return to whatever is troubling me with a clearer mind. So far, it has worked wonderfully.

If you love books that are just as cozy as the games that you play, you’ve come to the right place for recommendations. Here, I’ve rounded up eight games and paired them with books that offer a similar feeling. Looking for cozy game recs, too? I have included a brief description of the games mentioned as well. You may just find your next favorite book and game all in one spot.

Once you’ve looked through the entries here and found plenty of recommendations, you can discover more feel-good recommendations at this round-up of uplifting book club reads. Each one is perfect for discussing with a group. Nothing’s better than a book that makes you happy except a group to share it with.

the cover of Cozy Grove, showing a camper and a bear at a campire

If you love Cozy Grove, read…

Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins book cover

Welcome to the Pine Away Motel and Cabins by Katarina Bivald

Cozy Grove takes place on a haunted island, where it is the player’s job to care for the spirits that call the place home. In this warm and thoughtful novel, however, the heroine is a ghost who is trying to care for the living she left behind. After Pine Away Motel employee Henny passes away, she decides to stay around as a spirit a little longer in order to comfort her friends and community in any way she can.

the cover of A Short Hike, showing a bird character flying over an island

If you love A Short Hike, read…

the unlikely thru-hiker book cover cover

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker: An Appalachian Trail Journey by Derick Lugo

A Short Hike is a beautiful and comforting video game in which players can explore trails, connect with hikers, and simply enjoy their time in the virtual outdoors. In this warmhearted and humorous memoir, comedian Derick Lugo reflects on his experiences hiking the Appalachian Trail (including how he got the trail name “Mr. Fabulous”).

the cover of Coffee Talk, showing someone leaning on a counter

If you love Coffee Talk, read…

Legends and Lattes book cover

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Like Coffee Talk, Legends & Lattes is a thoughtful slice-of-life story set around a fantasy cafe. Viv dreams of opening up her own coffee shop and saying goodbye to barbarian life. Unexpected setbacks and fremenies from her warrior past threaten to hold her back from her dream, but she’s determined to build the life she’s always wanted.

the cover of Spiritfarer, showing a sailboat on the water

If you love Spiritfarer, read…

Archival Quality Cover

Archival Quality by Ivy Noelle Weir and Steenz

In Spiritfarer, players are ferrymen whose job it is to guide spirit to the afterlife and, in the meantime, take care of their needs. Although Archival Quality is set in the archives of a museum, the heroine similarly tries to understand and care for a ghost. When Celeste “Cel” Walden starts her new job as an archivist for Walden Library, she begins to have vivid dreams of a woman who, though they’ve never met, she feels compelled to help.

the cover of Stardew Valley

If you love Stardew Valley, read…

Farm to Trouble cover

Farm to Trouble by Amanda Flower

Have you ever thought to yourself, “I love the farm setting and close-knit community of Stardew Valley, but what if it added in a little… murder?” Then this cozy mystery is all for you.

After Shiloh Bellamy returns home to run her family farm, she becomes the prime suspect in a murder case when her investor is found dead under suspicious circumstances. To clear her name, Shiloh must immerse herself in this small town community and find the real killer while also working hard to keep her farm afloat.

the cover of Garden Story

If you love Garden Story, read…

Garlic and the Vampire cover

Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen

Both Garden Story and Garlic and the Vampire follow brave fruits and veggies who are on a mission to protect their garden community from danger. When a suspected vampire moves in to the abandoned castle in the woods, Garlic is chosen among her garden friends to chase him away. After all, vampires are afraid of garlic… right?

the cover of  Later, Alligator

If you love Later, Alligator, read…

Cover of "Dial A for Aunties" by Jesse Q. Sutanto.

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Later, Alligator is a comedic game in which the player is helping an alligator named Pat solve a mystery on the day of his birthday party. If you enjoy stories with plenty of mystery and humor, Dial A for Aunties is the perfect choice for your next read. It follows the misadventures of Meddelin “Meddy” Chan, her Ma, and her three aunties as they attempt to cover up the accidental death of Meddy’s blind date at a destination wedding.

the cover of Abzû

If you love Abzû, try…

What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of Our Underwater Cousins by Jonathan Balcombe book cover

What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of Our Underwater Cousins by Jonathan Balcombe

In Abzû, players can venture into the depths of an open world virtual ocean. If the game leaves you fascinated by marine life and interested in knowing more, you’ll want to check out What a Fish Knows. In it, ethologist Jonathan Balcombe explores the inner worlds and complexities of fish around the globe.

Looking for more books like your favorite comforting games? Check out these book recommendations for fans of Animal Crossing.