🧣 Cozy Comforts: Winter Reads, Warm Drinks and Planner Inspo
Your weekly guide to all things bookish—our latest blog posts, new releases, videos, podcasts, and more.
The Weekly Insider is your weekly bookish roundup for romance, mystery and fantasy recs, plus all the bookish content you won’t want to miss.
Hey friends,
Like everyone in January, I have come up with some new year resolutions. The difference between now and previous years where I have made resolutions and then promptly forgotten about them is one thing: I'm a planner girlie now.
Or rather I am an absolute beginner planner girlie. I got myself a bullet journal, stencils, some pretty paper and coloured pens, so now I am ready to go. I plan to keep a strict, yet beautifully coloured in, leash on myself so I stay on track and make an earnest attempt to keep to and perhaps even fulfil my 2025 resolutions.
The resolutions are pretty standard:
lose some weight
do some exercise
save some money
complete romanceopoly
I've been more specific in my journal, so I want to lose weight? How much? I want to do exercise? What exercise, how often? I want to save money? How much? I'm hoping that having my journal and keeping track of it will give me a fun and creative way to track my progress.
I'll keep you all updated through the year on how I am doing and any pages I am particularly proud of. I am drawn to bright and shiny things, so I want to make all my spreads bright and shiny!
If you are planner person, any advice or product recommendation to help make it pretty would be appreciated!
— Suzanne 📚
PS: Have you finished any good books lately? Any Romanceopoly reads? We’d love to share your favorites with the community. Simply reply to this email and let us know what your recommendations are. Or if you want to share a quick voice note click here.
Charley Davidson Alert! 🚀
Exciting news for fans of Darynda Jones’ Charley Davidson series! The author is running a Kickstarter for her new Beep & Osh trilogy—a next-generation follow-up to the series we all love. If you’re as obsessed as I am, you’ll want to check it out for exclusive collector’s editions and goodies. Check out the Kickstarter here!
🧣 This Week’s Theme: Cozy Comforts
Winter is all about snuggling up—whether it’s with a book that feels like a warm hug, a steaming mug of something delicious, or a craft project that keeps your hands cozy and busy. What’s your go-to comfort? Let’s dive into a week filled with bookish cozy comforts!
Before we get to the books: a Winter Spiced Hot Chocolate
What’s cozier than a cup of hot chocolate? This quick recipe will have you feeling the winter vibes in no time:
2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp sugar (or to taste)
½ tsp cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of cayenne (optional, for a little kick!)
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan, heat until warm, whisk well, and enjoy with marshmallows or whipped cream.
🗞️ On Under the Covers:
Magical Realism Genre Guide: Ever wanted to dip your toes into a genre that’s a little dreamy, a little strange, but oh-so-addictive? Start Here!
Books with Magical Realism: If you’re craving stories that feel like magic but still hit close to home, this list has you covered. Also these are great for Mystic Pines if you’re doing Romanceopoly. Discover now
Popular Fantasy Subgenres: Let’s face it, fantasy can be a LOT. This guide breaks it all down so you can skip to the good stuff. Explore here
Kushiel’s Legacy Reading Order: Ready to tackle one of the most epic romance fantasy series out there? Let this guide be your North Star. Check it out
🔍 On Mysterylandia:
Completed Cozy Mystery Series: Because sometimes you just need a full series to binge with zero waiting. See the list
Cozy Mystery Books for Romance Readers: Looking for the perfect starter pack to get you into cozy mystery if you’re a romance reader? These picks were made for you. Find out more
In Death Readalong: We’re kicking off our In Death read-along again. If you haven’t read the series, or you stopped halfway through, this is the time to get back to it. Or if you’re feeling like you need to re-read, as we often do, join us! All the details here.
📺 On YouTube:
Best Completed Fantasy Romance Series to Read in Winter: Winter is for blanket forts and epic love stories. Here’s where to start if you’re into fantasy. Watch now
Novel Nights Live Show: Books Set in Winter: Mysteries, romances, magical realism. This live show has the perfect winter reads lined up for you. Watch the live show replay
Want a sneak peak at Francesca’s digital reading journal adventure? Check out this video.
Planner used in the video is an Indiga Healer notebook.
📦 Featured Products:
We have some new products in our shop! Perfect for us bookworms!
📖 Retro Comic-Style Tee: Buy me books and tell me to STFUATTDLAGG—basically a mood. Check It Out
🖤 Born to Read Forced to Work Tote: For your TBR hauls and cozy bookshop runs. Grab Yours Here
🌟 Psst... Valentine’s is coming up! Whether you’re shopping for yourself or dropping hints, these picks make perfect gifts for romance lovers and bookish besties alike.
🖊️ On Substack:
The Lounge: January Reading Guide: Grab your TBR planner and check out this cozy guide to all the best winter reads.
Extra Bite Podcast: Francesca’s December 2024 Reading Wrap-Up: Let’s catch you up on the good and the bad.
🎧 New Releases This Week
This week, we dropped a New Releases Podcast Episode. Click the player below to listen and discover top books releasing this week!
Featured New Releases (Jan 13 - Jan 19):
Lessons with the Mothman by Kathryn Moon: Quirky, steamy monster romance featuring a rare moth fae and an academic heroine. Expect academic vibes, forced proximity, and monster-human chemistry. Grab the book on Amazon
Phantom by HD Carlton: Dark, Gothic romance with a mobster twist. Perfect for fans of morally gray characters, obsession, and high stakes. Grab the book on Amazon
The Uncrowned King by Donna Grant: Epic fantasy romance with star-crossed lovers and intense dragon-fueled passion. Grab the book on Amazon
Beautiful, Ugly by Alice Feeney: Psychological thriller exploring love, marriage, and revenge. Set in a remote Scottish island. Grab the book on Amazon
Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese: Contemporary romance reimagining Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Features slow-burn, star-crossed lovers, and fate’s playful hand. Grab the book on Amazon
Voice Note Exclusive: In Death Series Readalong and this week’s book recommendation!
I’m restarting the In Death readalong this year and just finished my January book, Born in Death! Listen to my quick thoughts on revisiting this series and how you can join us. Spoiler: It’s as addicting as ever. ~ Francesca
📩 Let’s Chat!
Let us know in the comments what cozy comfort you’re enjoying right now. Whether it’s a book, a recipe, or a craft project, we’d love to hear from you.
Substack also released a new LIVE feature! What live videos would you like to see from us on here? Considering moving the live video chat for the monthly book club here to Substack. Send us a message on Substack or reply to this email and let us know.
📣 Spread the word: Sharing this post helps keep the community growing—plus, it earns you points toward free access to the paid membership to our Substack! So hit that share button and spread the book love.
xoxo
Francesca & Suzanne
Sharing our love for books as Under the Covers Book Blog since 2011, running the Romanceopoly yearly reading challenge since 2019 and hosting the Reading Under the Covers podcast since 2020. Launched Mysterylandia in 2025.