10 Cosy Fantasy Books to Read Outdoors This Summer
There’s something undeniably magical about reading fantasy outside in the summer. The sound of birdsong, the dappled sunlight through leaves, the rustle of trees — it all feels like nature is joining in on the story. Whether I’m sitting in forest shade, a quiet garden, or beside a lazy river, I find that cosy fantasy books pair perfectly with warm weather and a cool drink.
If you’re craving gentle magic, heart-warming friendships, and stories that make you feel like you’ve come home, this list is for you. These are the books I want to carry into the woods, read under trees, and lose time with while sipping Raspberry Crush from a glass bottle.
? This is the second post in my Tales from the Wild Library series — a collection of whimsical, book-inspired ideas for summer days spent outdoors.
? Next up: Create a Shire-Inspired Garden Nook — the ultimate guide to building your own little reading haven in the garden or forest.
1. Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
The original cosy fantasy hit that sparked a whole movement. This story follows Viv, an orc who decides to trade adventuring for a peaceful life running a coffee shop. It’s filled with warm friendships, quiet ambition, and the comfort of starting something new, one cinnamon roll at a time. It’s like wrapping yourself in a cardigan made of pastry.
? Perfect for: A quiet garden afternoon with something sweet to nibble.
? Find it on Audible, Waterstones, or Bookshop.org
2. Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
A charming blend of cosy academia and enchanting folklore. Emily is a dry, brilliant professor who would rather be studying in solitude than navigating small talk. Her journal entries invite you into her mind as she documents fae magic, with just enough whimsy, wit, and snowy woods to make you want to live in her world.
? Perfect for: Reading beside a stream with your feet in the water.
? Find it on Audible, Waterstones, or Bookshop.org
3. The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
A heart-warming hug of a book about identity, community, and a little cottage magic. Mika Moon lives a solitary life to hide her magic until she’s invited to a remote house full of magical misfits who need her help. What follows is a blend of soft magic, warm cups of tea, and the kind of found family that makes you teary in the best way.
? Perfect for: Cloud-spotting in a hammock while sipping tea from a flask.
? Find it on Audible, Waterstones, or Bookshop.org
4. Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood
Belladonna Blackthorn hasn’t lost her magical spark . . . but she hasn’t seen it in a while either. Balancing life at Lunar Books with a toxic boss, concealing her powers from non-magical folks, and facing an unexpected coven trial for her 30th birthday, Belle is on the edge of burnout. With the threat of losing her magic forever, she must rediscover her power — with help from the women in her life, an unexpected mentor, and a (very distracting) watchman.
This book is packed with witchy vibes, autumn energy, female friendships, and cosy bookshop magic — all the things I adore in a comfort read.
? Perfect for: Reading on a blanket in the shade with a cold drink.
? Find it on Audible, Waterstones, or Bookshop.org
5. The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
A madcap Regency-inspired romp where lady pirates politely battle each other while sipping tea. India Holton’s world is part Jane Austen, part Monty Python, and entirely delightful. Expect flying houses, dashing villains, and dialogue so sharp you’ll want to read it aloud.
? Perfect for: A garden bench moment with birdsong and biscuits.
? Find it on Audible, Waterstones, or Bookshop.org
6. The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
If you loved The Wisteria Society, this sequel might be even better. Full of bookish banter, secret societies, and flying houses, it follows Miss Charlotte Pettifer — a witch determined to steal a powerful amulet before the villainous pirates do. Expect magic-fuelled mishaps, flirtatious duels, and dialogue so clever it could slice through lace.
? Perfect for: A shady spot in the woods where no one will judge your giggling.
? Find it on Audible, Waterstones, or Bookshop.org
7. A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
This story feels like slipping into a ballad told by the fire. When bard Jack returns to his enchanted homeland to help find missing girls, he must navigate magical tensions, his past, and an uneasy alliance with the girl he once loved. The prose is rich, the world immersive, and the pacing wonderfully steady — perfect for slow summer days.
? Perfect for: Sitting near water with the soundtrack of birds and breeze.
? Find it on Audible, Waterstones, or Bookshop.org
8. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
A beautiful epistolary fantasy where rival journalists unknowingly fall for each other through enchanted letters. Set during a magical war between gods, it’s emotional and poetic, with a love story that builds slowly and meaningfully. There’s melancholy here, but also so much hope.
? Perfect for: A tucked-away spot where you can cry quietly (in a good way).
? Find it on Audible, Waterstones, or Amazon
9. The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst
When librarian Kiela flees her failing empire with an illegal stash of magical books, she hopes to start fresh on a remote island. There, she turns an abandoned shell of a building into a bookshop and builds a new life among the island’s quirky residents. This one has everything: talking books, slow friendships, healing, and the magic of small beginnings.
? Perfect for: A sunny garden with the scent of flowers and a stack of bookmarks.
? Find it on Audible, Waterstones, or Bookshop.org
10. WILDCARD – The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
This one leans more romantasy than cosy fantasy, but it deserves a place for its immersive world and emotional highs. Oraya, a human adopted by the vampire king, must compete in a deadly tournament to earn her place in their society. It’s gritty and dramatic, but the escapism is off the charts — and it’s forever tied to my memory of reading it with my Fable book club in the summer sun.
? Perfect for: Escaping into the shade for hours with a snack stash.
? Find it on Audible, Waterstones, or Bookshop.org
✨ Amy’s Note:
Cosy fantasy isn’t always about the plot — it’s about how the book feels. Soft. Slow. A little silly or a little wistful. These are the books I reach for when I want to disappear into magic but still feel safe, held, and quietly delighted.
If you’re packing a basket and heading into nature, may one of these become your next five-star forest read.
? Let’s Chat:
What’s your ultimate cosy fantasy summer read? Do you have a shady reading spot you love? I’d love to know where your stories come to life.
? Share your reading spot with me on Instagram @thefabledpagesco
✨ If you felt inspired by this post, head to my blog for more bookish adventures and cosy outdoor ideas in the full Tales from the Wild Library series.
Amy x
