Beyond the Shelves: Books That Bring Us Joy

We're in the dead of winter - the perfect time get cozied up in an armchair and read a fun book. This month, Jes and Sarah are talking about books (and TV shows) that bring them during these cold, dark days. The hosts conveniently have grouped their selections into different tropes and categories to help you peruse!   SHOW NOTES Sign up for the 2025 Reading Challenge: Book Bingo What They're Reading The Empire of Gold, by S.A. Chakroborty House of Sky and Breath, by Sarah J. Maas The Story of a Lost Child, by Elena Ferrante City of Night Birds, by Juhea Kim Private Rites, by Julia Armfield Books That Bring Us Joy Books Jes is re-reading The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller Toni Morrison's catalog Fight Night, by Miriam Toews Tiny Beautiful Things, by Cheryl Strayed Found Family/Chosen Family/Ragtag Group books Check Please, by Ngozi Ukazu The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, by Sangu Mandanna Under the Whispering Door, by T.J. Klune The Expanse series, by James S.A. Corey Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel Kid/Teen Graphic Novels Garlic and the Vampire, by Bree Paulson Nimona, by Noelle Stevenson Squad, by Maggie Tokuda-Hall Pain Jane and the Mermaid, by Vera Brosgol Heartstopper, by Alice Oseman Lyrical Escapism This Is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller An Ember in the Ashes, by Sabaa Tahir Starling House, by Alix E. Harrow Hobby-ing Makes Everything Better Sew It Yourself, by Daisy Braid Cross Stitch with Cattitude, by Emma Congdon Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook, by Sohla El-Waylly Community Group: Fiber Friends Community and Action Go to Sleep, I Miss You, by Lucy Knisley How to Keep House While Drowning, by KC Davis The Color of Law, by Richard Rothstein On Tyranny, by Timothy Snyder The Geography of Bliss, by Eric Weiner Books that Remind You Humans are Innately Good Beautyland, by Helene Marie-Helene Bertino The Wedding People, by Alison Espach Fresh Water for Flowers, by Valeri Perrin Light From Uncommon Stars, by Rya Aoki A Psalm for the Wild-Built, by Becky Chambers TV Shows by Michael Schur, Bill Lawrence, Elizabeth Merriweather, Quinta Brunson, or Daniel Levy Popular Self-Help Books The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt Atomic Habits, by James Clear Brené Brown books Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, by Lori Gottlieb Rest is Resistance, by Tricia Hersey