Book Recs for Rainy Days

It’s officially rainy season here in Mumbai, monsoon is here and it’s here to stay. After the heat of the summer it’s such a relief to just see the greenery and rain. Of course, with rain comes its own set of challenges but I would take those challenges over the heat of the summer. (Yeah, I low-key hate summer, I lie. I hate with passion.)

One of the best things about the rain is the fact that sometimes I get to sit by the window, have a mug of coffee and a book to accompany the lovely set up. I absolutely love to cozy up and read while the rain battering the earth outside. It’s one of my greatest joys in life, the simplest one as well, perhaps. What is lovelier than that, right?

It was while I was reading ‘Children of Blood & Bone’ while it was raining steadily that I thought of this post. I mean, I am sure many, many countless people have already done that but hey, it’s my perspective this time so that’s gotta count. I have some default books that I reach for when it comes to rainy days of reading and I wanted to share them with you guys and see if we have anything in common there.

There might be some very obvious ones there but they are there for a reason. So, let’s get into it, shall we?

 

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that I included Tolkien’s books in this, for me, at least, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings are rainy reads. To cozy up next to a window while the world has become foggy and blurry, it’s always awesome to revisit the Middle-Earth. This would be my top recommendation, seriously. If you haven’t read these before then trust me, you will enjoy it and if you have, like me, read it multiple times then, well, the joy of revisiting the world is always beyond words.

The next one is rather obvious as well, I mean, Jane Eyre. I think it’s a very atmospheric novel on its own and to read it while it’s raining? With a hot cup of coffee in hand? Trust me, the pleasure is something else. Plus, I have always really loved Jane’s courage to be herself and to be true to herself. I don’t think I need to convince you guys, I mean, it’s Jane Freaking Eyre, after all.

Another classic and another smashing book full of awesomeness. I know that it’s not all about the cozy life but trust me, reading this book on a rainy day will make the experience better. If you want to have something akin to a self-reflection, this one is great for it. The rain just adds to the whole miserable experience of realising that there are many, many bad qualities we possess, really.

 

Well, I am bringing classics like they are going out of fashion. I didn’t mean to do it, at least I had no deliberate plans for it but it just happened. Anyway. ‘Sense and Sensibility’ is another great read for rainy days, or Austen’s Pride and Prejudice also works in this category, I think. Both the books are such comfort reads.

It wouldn’t be my rainy day recs post if I didn’t include Harry Potter series. It has been a while since I read Harry Potter but I can well remember the true joy of reading the books while I was comfy in my pajamas, with a blanket around my shoulders. These books are seriously a soothing balm to my nerves. Sure, some of the ‘incidents’ leave me teary eyed and sometimes I just cry but at the end of the day, I can’t recommend the HP series enough.

This is another one of those nostalgic reads for me. I tend to go for comfort reads when it comes to rainy days and by comfort I don’t mean books where there isn’t any heartbreak, I just feel good after reading those books. I read His Dark Materials when I was in school, I think? I am not sure what year I was in but I do have memories of it being the monsoon season as I sat reading the books with a dictionary on hand. I needed the dictionary because English is my third language and some words were beyond my understanding. I remember being so freaking frustrated with the fact that I had to look up some words.

The Raven Cycle is one of those series where it can be a hit or a miss in big ways. I have had friends who couldn’t stand the books but I also know many people who love the series to death. I am recommending this series for rainy days because of the atmospheric writing and just overall vibe of the books, you know? I adore this series and I have planned for a re-read this year. I am super excited!!!

This book isn’t new but I read it just this month and well, frankly, it’s become one of my favourites. The writing is so beautiful and atmospheric and lovely. There are some things that I am not overly fond of but those things are easily overwhelmed by the overall feel of the book. I just fell in love with it, ok?

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And that concludes my list of rainy days recommendation! Not a short list by any means, I thought it was a short one but the book total come up to twenty three! Oops?

Anyway, please tell me if you have any recommendations for rainy reads? Are the books mentioned above on your list as well? If yes, why? And if not, why not? I would love to know your thoughts on this!