The Rise of “Cozy Lit”: Why Readers Are Choosing Comfort Over Chaos
USA — Forget dystopian battles and morally gray antiheroes. In 2025, many readers are reaching instead for teacups, cat companions, and small-town mysteries. A new wave of “cozy literature” is taking the book world by storm—offering warmth, connection, and quiet hope in an era marked by global upheaval.
Sales of “cozy lit”—a term encompassing everything from gentle mysteries to uplifting slice-of-life fiction—have grown more than 22% year-over-year, according to the latest Nielsen BookScan data. Online searches for “cozy books to read” spiked during the 2024 election cycle and have remained elevated into this spring.
“I call it my literary comfort food,” said a Brooklyn-based nurse who rediscovered her love of reading through cozy romances during the pandemic. “After a 12-hour shift, I don’t want tension—I want peace.”
Comfort Is the New Edge in Cozy Lit
The appeal is clear. As social media doomscrolling, climate anxiety, and political division continue to dominate headlines, books offering a gentler world are providing a much-needed balm.
“We’re seeing a massive shift toward narratives that emphasize safety, community, and emotional healing,” said a psychologist who tracks cultural trends in media consumption. “It’s not escapism—it’s emotional survival.”
Popular titles include Lethally Green: A Maggie Flanagan Cozy Mystery (Book 1 of 7) by Amber Boffin and Cozy Mysteries: The Art & Craft of Murder (Whistler’s Cove Cozy Mystery Series Book 1 of 4 by Cozy Cat Parker, both of which offer humorous characters, endearing protagonists and quiet stakes.
TikTok and the #CozyReads Movement
On TikTok, the hashtag #CozyReads has garnered over 90 million views, with creators filming book reviews in soft lighting beside flickering candles and mugs of chamomile tea. Publishers have taken note, with major imprints launching new lines devoted to the subgenre.
“Our imprint is focused entirely on stories that leave readers smiling,” said the editorial director at HarperCollins. “These books remind people that kindness and hope still exist.”
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