Reading: Comfort Reads

A heartfelt and hilarious tale of a failed bank robber who accidentally takes a group of quirky strangers hostage during an apartment viewing, leading to a chaotic yet touching exploration of their secrets, anxieties, and unexpected connections—including an elderly woman with a hidden agenda, a man in a bunny suit, and a cop who Googles how to handle hostage situations. Fiction. 336 pages. Available as ebook

A witty romance where a no-nonsense literary agent, Nora, finds herself reluctantly tangled in small-town antics, and banter with her professional nemesis brings unexpected sparks. Fiction. 377 pages. Available as ebook and audiobook

Bilbo Baggins, a respectable, well-to-do hobbit, lives comfortably in his hobbit-hole until the day the wandering wizard Gandalf chooses him to take part in an adventure from which he may never return. Fiction. Available as ebook and audiobook

This first novel in the widely acclaimed The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series tells the story of the delightfully cunning detective, Precious Ramotswe of Botswana. This case is of a missing boy, who may have been snatched by witchdoctors. Fiction. 235 pages. Available as ebook and audiobook

A meticulous caseworker for magical children uncovers wonders on an island filled with extraordinary beings, including a shape-shifting garden sprite, a spirited wyvern, and the Antichrist himself, all under the care of a mysterious and kind-hearted guardian. Fiction. 398 pages.

A heartwarming rom-com where a sizzling summer arrangement between a witty chef and a sarcastic baker leads to plenty of sparks, unexpected feelings, and laugh-out-loud moments, featuring a mischievous parrot with a knack for spilling secrets. Fiction 418 pages.

This BookTok sensation tells the story of Vic the orc barbarian, whose plans to open Thune's only a coffee shop and fill mugs instead of swinging swords. But Vic runs into clashes with old frenemies and Thune's shady underbelly. Wholesome and cozy. See also the prequel "Bookshops & Bonedust." Fiction. 294 pages.

A charmingly eccentric hotel maid discovers a guest murdered in his bed, turning her once orderly world upside down--and inspiring a motley crew of unexpected allies to band together to solve the mystery. Fiction 289 pages Available as ebook and audiobook

This soul-stirring Korean novel imagines a laundromat that offers to erase emotional burdens, weaving in cultural reflections, poignant character journeys, and the delicate exploration of the cost of forgetting. Fiction. 248 pages.

Jeanie Ellis inherits her aunt's beloved café in small-town Dream Harbor, but what will happen when the high-energy city girl meets that the grumpy-but-gorgeous local farmer, Logan? Fiction. 373 pages.

Tress' island life is peaceful, collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. When Charlie is taken captive, she embarks on a perilous journey across deadly spore seas to find the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea to rescue him. Fiction. 369 pages. Available as audiobook

Wallace Price, a ruthlessly efficient lawyer, dies and finds himself observing his own funeral before being whisked away by a charming ferryman to a tea shop that serves as a waystation for the dead, forcing him to confront his unlived life. This heartwarming and humorous tale explores themes of love, loss, and finding meaning in the unexpected. Fiction. 376 pages. Available as audiobook

In a narrow alley in Kyoto, the mysterious Kokor Clinic for the Soul offers a unique treatment to those who find their way there: it prescribes cats as medication. Translated from the Japanese. Fiction. 296 pages.

A young woman who as a neglected child found solace in a children's book series competes in a mysterious contest orchestrated by the reclusive author on his real-life Clock Island for the chance to win the only copy of his new book, hoping the prize money will allow her to adopt a beloved orphaned student. Fiction. 286 pages. Available as ebook

Two teens--Daniel, the son of Korean shopkeepers, and Natasha, whose family is here illegally from Jamaica--cross paths in New York City on an eventful day in their lives--Daniel is on his way to an interview with a Yale alum, Natasha is meeting with a lawyer to try and prevent her family's deportation to Jamaica--and fall in love. Young Adult Fiction. 344 pages. Available as ebook and audiobook