Feeling a case of the festive blues? While the world outside buzzes with holiday cheer, the quieter moments can feel lonely—or just plain overwhelming. But don’t fret; the perfect cure is only a page from a new book away. Whether curled up with a warm cup of cocoa or stealing some alone time after endless parties, these books promise to be the companions you didn’t know you needed.
From magical laundromats to cosy pottery studios and scandal-filled condos to heartwarming libraries, each story is packed with just the right mix of adventure, love, and inspiration to lift your spirits. So, let these tales bring you joy, wonder, and maybe even a few laughs, this holiday season.
1. Marigold Mind Laundry by Yun Jung-eun
Welcome to the Marigold Mind Laundry, a magical laundromat that can wash away the deepest stains on your heart. Jieun, its enigmatic owner, possesses mysterious powers she struggles to understand. As a child, an accidental use of these abilities caused her family to vanish, leaving her to live countless lives in search of them. One fateful night, she creates the Mind Laundry, a place where customers can share their deepest sorrows, which she transforms into stains on T-shirts.
After a spin in the washing machine, these stains become flower petals, bringing solace to her patrons. Through the stories of a struggling filmmaker, a betrayed mother, a jilted lover, a weary influencer, and a stifled photographer, Jieun learns that healing is a gift within everyone’s reach. This bestselling Korean novel is a joyous, inspiring tale of rediscovering hope and tapping into the magic within ourselves.
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2. The Healing Season of Pottery by Yeon Somin
Jungmin, a thirty-year-old television writer, reaches a breaking point at work and abruptly quits, retreating into her apartment and isolation. Her aimless wandering eventually leads her to a neighbourhood pottery studio, where she is welcomed by a compassionate teacher and a community of kindred spirits. Within the studio’s plant-filled, sunlit spaces and surrounded by the soothing smell of clay and the company of a friendly cat, Jungmin begins to heal.
The seasons pass, while she reconnects with herself and the world, forming bonds with others who are also navigating pain and renewal. As snow piles up outside during the holidays, Jungmin realises she is finally ready to face the memories she’s been running from. This cozy, uplifting Korean bestseller is a testament to the joy of creativity and the power of human connection.
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3. What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
In this charming Japanese novel, the enigmatic librarian Sayuri Komachi has a remarkable ability to recommend the perfect book to transform her visitors’ lives. Whether it’s a restless sales assistant stuck in a monotonous job or a working mother longing to become a magazine editor, each person finds themselves drawn to the library at a pivotal moment.
With her uncanny understanding of their souls, Komachi lends them a book that unexpectedly alters their paths. This heartwarming story is a celebration of libraries, community, and the surprising ways books can inspire change.
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4. Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
Elizabeth Strout returns to Crosby in this book, Maine, where beloved characters like Lucy Barton and Olive Kitteridge grapple with questions of life’s meaning, love, and loss. As a murder investigation unfolds, Lucy forms a deep friendship with Bob Burgess, a lawyer defending the accused. Through reflective walks and heartfelt conversations, they navigate their own pasts, fears, and hopes.
Meanwhile, Olive Kitteridge, now in a retirement community, shares afternoons with Lucy, swapping stories that reanimate unrecorded lives. Rich with empathy and insight, this novel explores the connections that sustain us and the forms love takes, even in its most unexpected guises.
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5. Harmony Heights by Ong Chin Huat
If you loved watching Crazy Rich Asians, this book is for you. In a 1990s-style condominium in Malaysia, the seemingly respectable residents mask a hotbed of secrets and scandals. From cheating spouses and ambitious professionals to unconventional families, their lives are far from the harmonious image they project. As private affairs are laid bare, tensions rise, and lives unravel. This gripping novel peeks behind closed doors, offering a sharp and entertaining look at human nature and the lengths people go to maintain appearances.
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6. Zarra and the Twelve Realms of Kayangan by Heidi Shamsuddin
Twelve-year-old Zarra Nuraman’s life is turned upside down when her baby cousin is kidnapped and taken to Kayangan, a magical world filled with characters from Malaysian folklore book. Armed with a magical Bidari coat and aided by two Border Guardians, she embarks on a perilous three-day journey to rescue him. Pursued by the evil Queen Zamrud, Zarra discovers not only the courage within herself but also a life-changing secret about her world. This enchanting fantasy is a modern fairy tale brimming with adventure and wonder.
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7. Cheese Donuts Are Most Definitely Not Subpar by Melly Sutjitro
Ellie Maharani finds herself thrown into the competitive world of her sister’s school PTA while looking after her nieces. Paired with the grumpy yet attractive Dion Saputra, she must navigate bake sales, school politics and a high-stakes musical gala. Despite their clashes—particularly over donuts—their relationship blossoms into something unexpected. With humour, heart, and a touch of romance, this delightful story is perfect for those seeking a feel-good escape.
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8. Bird Milk & Mosquito Bones: A Memoir by Priyanka Mattoo
Priyanka Mattoo’s book chronicles her peripatetic life, from her ancestral home in Kashmir, displaced by violence, to various countries and cultures, finally settling in Los Angeles. Through humorous and poignant anecdotes, she reflects on identity, family, and the search for belonging. This memoir is a moving exploration of resilience and finding light in life’s darkest corners.
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9. The Summer of Letting Go by Catherine Dellosa
A story that tugs at your heartstrings while delivering a sprinkle of romance and a dash of ghostly charm, this book follows eighteen-year-old Kali is on a mission to keep her beloved Uncle Drew’s ghost tethered to the earthly plane. Working at the cosy Tea for Two café seems like the perfect way to be near him. But when the landlord threatens to demolish the café, Kali faces the impossible prospect of losing Uncle Drew’s haunt forever.
As if that weren’t enough, enter Luca, the enigmatic and distractingly handsome college boy barista. His arrival complicates Kali’s life in ways she never anticipated. Amid the chaos of messy LEGO bricks, best friends scattering for separate colleges, and an uncle grappling with his own ghostly struggles, Kali is forced to confront the ultimate question: what does it truly mean to let go?
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Whether you’re in the mood for magical realism, heartfelt drama, or a dose of humour, these stories offer something for everyone. Let the books transport you this long weekend.
