Unscripted with Lauren Marie Fleming: Things I Love

6 Cozy Fantasy and Sci-Fi Novels to Calm Your Nervous System

Lauren Marie Fleming — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:55:29 GMT

Dear friend,

Is the world feeling a little much right now?

Do you long to escape into a book that feels like a warm bath?

I’ve got some recommendations for you!

I’ve been devouring novels in the “cozy sci-fi fantasy” realm lately and I’ve put together a list so you can join me by the fire.

These six books will feel like a warm hug. There are stakes, but not too high. There is a plot, but it’s not too harrowing. And the endings are as comforting as sitting in a big fluffy chair with a cup of tea.

Ready to get cozy?

Let’s go.

The House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

I will always and forever start lists of comfort reads with this book. It is the book I go to when life feels rough and I need some laughter and hope. I even listened to it as I was wheeled into surgery – twice.

It is especially great on audiobook, with the amazing Daniel Henning bringing the characters to life in such vivid ways.

If you haven’t read The House on the Cerulean Sea yet, I HIGHLY suggest grabbing it right this second. Your whole body will thank you.

Grab a copy of The House on the Cerulean Sea:

From Bookshop.org – a way to support local independent bookstores
On Libro.fm – an independent alternative to Audible
On Kindle or Audible

Taking a selfie with Chauncey, my favorite character from The House on the Cerulean Sea right before going out to my packed book launch event for Because Fat Girl at Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego! (I promise, I’m wearing clothes…)

The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst

Baby mermaids.

Do I need to say anything else?

Okay, fine, I’ll add that this story discusses overthrowing unjust rulers, saving books from being burned, and has baby mermaids.

Yes, they’re worth mentioning twice because they’re so darn cute.

More than anything, this book – and the sequel The Enchanted Greenhouse – is a nervous system balm. I don’t know how Sarah Beth Durst did it, but the minute I step into her world, I feel safer in my own.

If you need the book equivalent of a bedtime hug, get a copy of The Spellshop today.

Grab a copy of The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst:

From Bookshop.org – a way to support local independent bookstores
On Libro.fm – an independent alternative to Audible
On Kindle or Audible

Reading the second book in this series before bed has helped me sleep better.

Shard of Glass by Emily Deady

I don’t know about you, but I’d love a fairy godmother to come BibbideeBobbideeBoo my life right now, and introduce me to a cute femme or non-binary royal with a shoe fetish to sweep me off my feet.

Emily Deady’s retelling of Cinderella has

While I haven’t yet read this Cinderella retelling, its 4.5 star rating out of 905 reviews is pretty telling for how great it is. And, best of all, it’s written by my friend Emily, who is such a lovely human being who gives the greatest hugs.

There are five books in the series – with rumors of more coming soon – so you’ll have plenty to devour if you love this world.

I just started the first one today, join me in reading it?!

Grab a copy of Shard of Glass by Emily Deady:

Kindle, audiobook, and paper copy all sold through Amazon only right now

Author Emily Deady and me last week during a writing meetup.

The Monk & Robot Duology & The Wayfarer Series by Becky Chambers

Two for one here, ya’ll! (Actually, it’s six for one, but who’s counting?)

When I sat down to write this post, I couldn’t decide between including the Monk and Robot books by Becky Chambers, or the Wayfarer series. So, I’m including both!

If you want to get lost into a series of interconnected but separate stories set in space that will have you appreciating humanity among aliens, pick up a copy of A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, the first book in the Wayfarer series.

If you’re looking for a short but powerful, heartfelt weekend read, grab A Psalm for the Wild-Built. You can get it on its own, or combined into one book with the sequel A Prayer for the Crown-Shy.

Either way, you can’t go wrong.

Grab a copy of the Monk & Robot books, starting with A Psalm for the Wild-Built:

From Bookshop.org – a way to support local independent bookstores
On Libro.fm – an independent alternative to Audible
On Kindle or Audible

Grab a copy of The Wayfarer Series, starting with The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet:

From Bookshop.org – a way to support local independent bookstores
On Libro.fm – an independent alternative to Audible
On Kindle or Audible

I read this in 2021 while stuck for a week in a hotel with COVID. It was the escape I needed and I’ve read the whole series twice now.

Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

Do you ever feel like running away from your life with a magical, hot, lesbian lover and starting a tea shop in a tiny town with cranky neighbors that eventually become your besties?

Maybe that’s just me…

But the popularity of this series shows I’m not alone.

I love how much this book made me feel safe in an unsafe world, worthy of love, and as cozy as a cup of tea by the fire.

If you like people who love tea and hate tyranny, this book is for you.

Grab a copy of Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea:

From Bookshop.org – a way to support local independent bookstores
On Libro.fm – an independent alternative to Audible
On Kindle or Audible

Read this one by the fireplace on a stormy day in Yosemite. It was pure bliss.

Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee

Confession: I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s high up on my TBR list for three important reasons.

First, C.B. Lee came to my book launch for Because Fat Girl and since then we have become friends. I love that they came out to support a fellow queer without us ever having met, and that shows you how wonderful of a heart they have.

Second, that heart obviously shines through in their other work, so I know this novel is full of joy and comfort as well.

And three, this book is on every list I see about cozy fantasy novels and has high ratings, so I have a feeling it’s going to be good.

My copy is on my shelf and this feels like a great excuse to pick it up and finally start reading it. Want to join me?

Grab a copy of Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by C.B. Lee:

From Bookshop.org – a way to support local independent bookstores
On Kindle or Audible
Not currently available on Libro.fm

C.B. Lee in black in the front row of my Los Angeles Because Fat Girl book launch event. We didn’t know each other yet, but that’s how great queer book community is – we show up even for strangers!

BONUS: Because Fat Girl by Lauren Marie Fleming

My favorite cozy read, for obvious reasons. It’s not technically in the fantasy genre, but it is my personal fantasy played out.

Think a queer Cinderella story set in modern day Hollywood.

It’s fun, it’s heartfelt, it’s deep, and that ending will have you crying tears of joy.

If you’re needing hope in life right now, this is the perfect book for you.

Grab a copy of Because Fat Girl by Lauren Marie Fleming:

From Bookshop.org – a way to support local independent bookstores
On Libro.fm – an independent alternative to Audible
On Kindle or Audible

Because Fat Girl is the perfect cozy escape or vacation read.

What are you favorites that I should add to this list?

I’m constantly looking for more cozy books, so I’d love to know your favorites below!

10 Books I'm Reading Right Now (and I want to hear your book recs too!)

Lauren Marie Fleming — Fri, 17 May 2024 16:53:47 GMT

When people ask me what I’m reading right now, I often ask them how much time they have. I’ve never been one of those people who could have only a single book on her shelf. Maybe it’s my ADHD, but I love having multiple books going at once, all in different genres and styles.

Right now, I’m reading at least ten different books, and my brain is loving it.

Whether you’re a singular book person, or a messy all over the place reader like me, I want to hear what you’re loving these days!

Let me know your book recs in the comments below.

Here are the ten books I’m reading right now:

First off, shoutout to my book, BECAUSE FAT GIRL, which I am reading for the 300th time as we get the final edits done before it goes to print. It's sooo great. I love this book with all my heart (which I put into it). The characters, the setting, the ending that will make you want to go after your dreams. SO GOOD.

And, my publisher is hosting a giveaway right now on GoodReads, so you can win a copy.

Win a Copy of My Book

My friend Sarina Dahlan-Dann's third book in her Four Cities trilogy, FREESET, is out next week and from the preview I got, it's a wild ride! So excited to see how it ends. If you're in San Diego, join us Saturday at UCSD for her book launch party.

I just got Steve Almond's book on writing in the mail and am excited to delve into that. Steve is a great teacher of craft and I know I'm going to learn so much from his book TRUTH IS THE ARROW, MERCY IS THE BOW: A DIY Manual for the Construction of Stories.

My childhood friend turned writing colleague Jenn Givhan gave me an advanced copy of her book SALT BONES, set in the Imperial Valley where we grew up, and it's eerily, literally hitting close to home. She mixes fact and fiction so well.

On audiobook, I'm listening LESLIE F*CKIN' JONES and laughing so hard. Did you know she was a college D1 basketball player?! It's heartfelt and hilarious.

It’s taking me a bit to get through because it’s like therapy (in a great way), but I’m making my way through THE BIG LEAP by Gay Hendricks, all about not sabotaging yourself when life starts to feel “too good”. This is a great midday walk companion.

I'm also really loving INTERGALACTIC EXTERMINATORS, INC. on audiobook. Quirky, fun, giving Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy vibes. I met the author at an anniversary event at Mysterious Galaxy lately and he was lovely.

(Sidenote: you should ditch Audible and listen to audiobooks on Libro.fm instead. It supports local bookstores and you own the files. Win-win!)

At that same Mysterious Galaxy anniversary event, I bought FIVE BROKEN BLADES because the cover was *gorgeous* and my publisher told me it was the next big romantasy series I had to read. I can't wait to delve into it.

At night, I'm settling into Naomi Novik's UPROOTED before bed, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty that I'm thoroughly enjoying.

And speaking of my bedside table, I’m re-reading URBAN TANTRA by Barbara Carrellas and loving the sensual exploration it encourages. Warning, it might make you want to take the whole day and stay in bed exploring yourself.

So, that’s what I’m reading. What about you?

Let me know a book (or five) that you’ve loved lately in the comments.