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Books to Get Lost In
28
items A collection of stories that pull you in and don’t let go, from haunting gothic halls and magical forests to warm coffee shop romances. These are the books that make you forget the world around you and fall right into another one.
Sections
7
Christmas Cheer & Winter Romance
Dark Academia & Gothic Tales
Fantasy & Dark Magic Realms
Feel-Good Escapes & Cozy Reads
Witching Hour & Spooky Reads 🖤🐦⬛
Whimsical Worlds for Kids
Christmas Cheer & Winter Romance
Stories that feel like a warm mug of cocoa on a snowy night. From cozy small-town romances to tales wrapped in holiday wonder, these reads capture the spirit of Christmas- love, hope, and a little bit of magic in every page.
Absolutely obsessed with this book almost instantly! 5 star read 🎄✨
It’s the Christmas carol with a twist! All the cozy feels, peppermint mochas and love interest sent from Christmas past 🎄🥹
Good Spirits - Target Exclusive Edition - By B.K. Borison (Paperback)
🎄5 Stars
A cozy Christmas mystery with the same warm wit and lovable chaos that made me fall in love with The Thursday Murder Club.
If you like crime-solving that feels clever rather than grim, quirky characters who become instant favorites, and a ...
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year: A Novel
5⭐️
This book felt like stepping into a Christmas postcard from the Scottish Highlands. The small town is pure magic, the mother–daughter moments are heartfelt, and the aunts bring the perfect witchy, herbal-healing charm. The MFC is super relatable...
I'll Be Home for Christmas - by Jenny Bayliss (Paperback)
⭐️4.5 stars +++
This book surprised me in the best way. The twists, the heartbreak, and the way the story explores love and friendship were completely unexpected. A quick but powerful read.
In Five Years: Deluxe Edition (Target Prop) - Rebecca Serle (Hardcover)
4.5⭐️
A heartfelt, faith-centered Christmas story filled with healing, hope, and family. Beautiful use of scripture and prayer woven through tropes like military life, mother–daughter relationships, grief, and a widowed wife finding her way toward a...
The Christmas Ring - by Karen Kingsbury (Hardcover)
3.5⭐️ The MFC didn’t fully click for me, but the overall story is sweet, festive, and perfect if you’re looking for a quick holiday romance with spice!
The Christmas Tree Farm (Deluxe Edition) - (Dream Harbor) by Laurie Gilmore (Hardcover)
4 star read! A heartwarming and cozy read that perfectly captures the magic of the holiday season. I loved the charming bookshop setting, family dynamics, and the gentle reminder that it’s never too late to start fresh. Perfect to curl up with by the...
The Christmas Bookshop - by Jenny Colgan (Paperback)
3.8- 4 ⭐️ read
The sequel to The Christmas Bookshop and such a cute surprise. The ending of book 1 had me thinking Carmen’s story was finished…but this one proves it wasn’t! Cozy, charming, and perfect for Christmas.
There’s a happy ending and it’s ...
Midnight at the Christmas Bookshop - by Jenny Colgan (Paperback)
Maybe 3 Stars???
Set in the Scottish highlands, this book was a cute seasonal book that had me wishing I lived in an old castle in Scotland. To be honest the entire book practically took place in this old castle that needed a lot of work. This wasn’t...
The Secret Christmas Library - by Jenny Colgan (Paperback)
This is Book 1, the sequel is listed next “merry Christmas you filthy animal”
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas - by Meghan Quinn (Paperback)
Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal (Deluxe Edition) - by Meghan Quinn (Paperback)
Dark Academia & Gothic Tales
Dark academia with feminist themes and haunting Inferno references. The writing was so beautiful and I was able to relate to the story as a recent graduate student.
Katabasis (Deluxe Limited Edition): A Novel by R. F. Kuang, Hardcover
Fantasy & Dark Magic Realms
Step into worlds where magic hums beneath the surface, kingdoms rise and fall, and every choice carries the weight of fate. These stories are filled with fierce heroines, ancient secrets, and realms where shadows and power intertwine. Perfect for any...
I was hesitant to start this one since I loved ACOTAR and Throne of Glass and wasn’t sure I’d enjoy a more modern, urban fantasy setting, but I ended up loving it. Bryce Quinlin quickly became one of my favorite main female characters ever. Her stren...
House of Earth and Blood - (Crescent City) by Sarah J Maas (Hardcover)
A fairytale wrapped in shadow and sorrow.
Beautiful dark fairytale
•Morally gray love interest
•Monster within
• Found family
•Gothic atmosphere
•Slow burn
My rating: 4 stars
One Dark Window (Deluxe Limited Edition) - by Rachel Gillig (Hardcover)
This one gave me major ACOTAR vibes, like ACOTAR and ACOMAF rolled into one. The story has that same blend of slow-burn romance, court intrigue, and rich magic. I really enjoyed the characters and the worldbuilding; it felt familiar in the best way b...
Quicksilver (Deluxe Limited Edition) Fae & Alchemy
What makes this book stand out:
• A bad-ass, independent MFC: Hyacinth is fierce, resilient, and impossible not to root for from the very first page.
•Themes of overcoming abuse: Her journey away from an abusive boyfriend is raw, emotional, and empow...
The Throne of Glass series completely stole my heart, it’s everything I love in fantasy.
Throne of Glass is book 1 of 7! 5 star read and my absolute favorite series.
A fierce heroine, rich world-building, magic, heartbreak, and characters you grow...
Throne of Glass - by Sarah J Maas (Hardcover)
Leave Me Behind… Extra spicy with darkness. The story had real character growth, a villain that actually felt believable, and a strong military trope that added tension throughout. The MFC was absolutely badass- confident, and fierce.
Leave Me Behind (Deluxe Edition) - by K.M. Moronova (Paperback)
Feel-Good Escapes & Cozy Reads
I rated this one 2.5⭐️
it’s part of the Dream Harbor series, and while it wasn’t my favorite, book 2 definitely steps it up! Still, this one delivers cozy fall vibes, a small-town setting, and a bit of spice, perfect for a quick seasonal read with t...
The Pumpkin Spice Café (Deluxe Edition) - (Dream Harbor) by Laurie Gilmore (Hardcover)
I really enjoyed this one- the story and characters felt so much more relatable and down-to-earth. It has that comforting small-town charm and bookish coziness that’s perfect for fall. I’d give it a solid 3.5–4⭐️ for the heartwarming plot and sweet, ...
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store - by Laurie Gilmore (Paperback)
Witching Hour & Spooky Reads 🖤🐦⬛
For the nights when the moon is full and the air feels enchanted- this collection blends gothic romance, candlelight reads, and cozy autumn chills. Think spooky, thriller, and witchy
4.5 stars!
I absolutely loved this story, it felt witchy in the most realistic and grounded way. The lives of the three women are woven together so beautifully across time, each one strong, resilient, and fiercely independent. The writing is lyrica...
Weyward - by Emilia Hart (Hardcover)
I loved that What Moves the Dead was inspired by Edgar Allan Poe, it perfectly captures that eerie, atmospheric tone while still feeling like its own story. It’s a cozy gothic read with haunting imagery, strange mysteries, and just the right amount o...
What Moves the Dead - (Sworn Soldier) by T Kingfisher (Hardcover)
What Feasts at Night is the perfect follow-up to What Moves the Dead, still steeped in gothic atmosphere but with a slightly different kind of dread. It feels like a dark winter tale whispered by candlelight, with eerie folklore and that same hauntin...
What Feasts At Night - by T. Kingfisher (Hardcover)
Hidden Pictures surprised me, I went in expecting horror, but it’s more of a twisty, psychological thriller with a haunting edge. The childlike drawings woven through the story add the perfect creepy touch, especially if you’re reading late at night....
Hidden Pictures - by Jason Rekulak (Paperback)
We Used to Live Here is a chilling, fast-paced psychological thriller that blurs the line between reality and haunting. It’s one of those books you finish in a day because you need to know what’s really going on. The eerie domestic setting and creepi...
We Used to Live Here - by Marcus Kliewer (Paperback)
Whimsical Worlds for Kids
Enchanting tales that spark imagination and wonder- from magical adventures to heartwarming bedtime stories. Perfect for little dreamers (and nostalgic adults) who love to escape into worlds where anything feels possible.
My all-time favorite children’s book series! These were the stories that first sparked my love for reading- the magical world of fairies, goblins, and hidden realms had me completely enchanted as a kid.
I read a few chapters a night to my kids and ...
The Complete Spiderwick Chronicles Boxed Set
True Tales & Hidden Histories
For the curious minds who crave truth over fiction — this section dives into the real stories that shaped our world. From the People’s History of America to a cardio thoracic surgeon’s experiences with patients, these books reveal the lessons, strugg...
This book had me in tears- beautifully written, raw, and deeply human. It resonated with me on a personal level, as my late son also had a rare heart defect. Westaby’s honesty and compassion in telling these stories reminded me so much of the courage...
Open Heart: A Cardiac Surgeon's Stories
Chilling and eye-opening accounts of what really happened during the founding of America. I read this as a home educator to teach my children the true story of our history — and to satisfy my own curiosity about the parts that are often left untold. ...
A People's History of the United States