The 14 Best Cottagecore Books To Read On Cozy Fall Evenings

Walden by Henry David Thoreau

I remember reading Walden by Henry David Thoreau back when the cottagecore trend was really taking off. The book, which was written in the 1800s, is essentially a poetic blueprint on how to live a fulfilling life without being tied down by modern expectations. It encourages readers to reject their consumerist lifestyles and reconnect with nature instead. This book couldn’t possibly be more timely in today’s day and age, with fast fashion, screen addiction, and capitalist values more prominent than ever before. It’s a must-read for anyone hoping to fall in love with the world again, beyond the modern confines of technology addiction and excessive screen time.

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

It would be criminal to write a cottagecore reading list without adding the holy bible of cottagecore novels, Anne of Green Gables. Not only is Anne herself awe-inspiring due to her deep love of nature and big imagination, but Prince Edward Island itself is a breathtaking landscape filled with rain-speckled lilacs, dragonflies, and willow boughs swaying in the breeze.

Anne and her friends love having tea parties in the garden while wearing their favorite puff-sleeve dresses. The girls sit around, nibbling on frosted cakes and discussing poetry. It’s the number 1 book for cottagecore enthusiasts, and it inspires readers to never let go of their sense of wonder.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet’s relationship may be filled with cackling tension and heated division, but this doesn’t mean the landscape they’re surrounded by has to be. Jane Austen beautifully writes of the English countryside and all its earthy, charming glory. There’s a reason it’s considered a classic over a century since its release. Austen’s novel is filled with passion, tension, and tender emotions that remain as compelling today as they did when first published. And I love it, most ardently.

Under the Lilacs by Louisa May Alcott

Another beautiful book by Louisa May Alcott is Under the Lilacs. It’s more overlooked compared to AOGG, but it’s just as whimsical, dreamy, and airy: AKA all the things that make up the cottagecore aesthetic.

The Cake Shop in the Garden by Carole Matthews

The Cake Shop in the Garden is a lovely story about a 40-year-old woman named Faye, who runs her own little cake shop filled with delectable baked goods. Just imagine the smell of buttery pastries and zesty lemon cakes wafting into the garden. Divine! She is in a long-term relationship with a man who has no idea how to properly romance her, and it doesn’t help matters that the love of her life has shown up unannounced to flip her predictable world upside down.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

Jayne Eyre is a must-read for cottagecore enthusiasts and literary fanatics alike. It’s one of those novels that you have to read slowly, as if you’re enjoying a fine wine and want to savor every sip. Every single sentence is so beautifully poetic and thoughtful that you’ll be feeling separation anxiety with this novel the moment you finish.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Finally, we have Little Women, which demonstrates the art of quiet and cozy living. The best scenes for me are when the March sisters are sitting around, doing little to nothing other than engaging in sisterly banter and enjoying one another's company. There’s something almost inspirational about the art of leisure this book exudes, which reminds me very much of the cottagecore movement.

Even more great cottagecore books to add to your bookshelf:

• Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
• Emma by Jane Austen
• Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
• Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
• Shady Hollow by Juneau Black
• The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady by Edith Holden
• Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy