How to Have the Perfect Cozy Read.

With the holidays approaching, it tends to get darker sooner and the sun comes up later. A lot of people would see this as a problem, but as bookworms, this is our time to thrive. So grab your favourite book and get ready to take some notes, because I am going to tell you how to have the perfect cozy read.

Step 1: Choose Your Coze Level

The fact is, there are different kinds of cozy. I can be just as cozy sitting on my back deck in the sunshine as I am snuggled under blankets on the couch. Decide what kind of cozy night/day/afternoon/evening you would like to have, and continue on.

Step 2: Choose Your Book

Maybe I should not have encouraged you to grab a book before reading this post, as the selection of your book is crucial. Obviously this depends on your mood, where you are choosing to read, what time of year it is and what time of day it is.

Spring and summer are perfect for contemporary reads, while fall and winter tend to remind me of heavy fantasy reads. It is so much nicer to escape into a completely different world when it is dark and cold outside, whereas it's way more fun to read lighthearted romances when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping. Personally, I also tend to gravitate towards longer books in the fall and winter, and quicker reads in the spring and summer.

Choose wisely my friends, because this decision can make or break your cozy reading time.

Step 3: Determine a location

Everyone needs different levels of noise, distractions and brightness to read, so base this decision on your reading personality. For me, I do not like only a few people talking where I can get lost in their conversations, but I am totally fine with large crowds of mixed voices that fade into a dull hum in the background. In this way, I either have to be completely alone when I am reading, or in a busy coffee shop.

Experiment with locations and find your reading destination. What works for your best friend or significant other may not work for you, and that is totally fine. This is YOUR cozy reading time and no one else's, so do what works for you.

Other factors to take into account when choosing a location: lighting, smell, and visual distractions.

Step 4: All the Sustenance

Let's start with the beverage side. It is well known that a warm beverage signifies all of the coze. However, do not discount the refreshing taste of a sparkling water or an iced tea. Again, this decision is based on where you are reading and what kind of "cozy" you are going for. Personally, I can drink a coffee no matter what time of day or year it is when I am reading... that's why they make iced coffee too right?

Food can also be a crucial decision, and I have a couple of tips there. Firstly, I would not recommend eating a full meal while you are reading. That is a recipe for getting mustard on your beloved book. If you need to eat dinner, put the book down, enjoy your food and then come back to your cozy reading time. Snacks though can be perfectly fine when reading, providing they are not too messy of course. My favourite reading snacks include fruit and cheese and crackers, but what you can handle while reading it completely up to you. As a klutz, I cannot eat chips while reading for fear of ruining my book; but if you are more careful than I am, I would encourage it!

Step 5: Put Away All Distractions

The simple truth is, you cannot have a cozy read if you are distracted by Tik Tok. So put your phone in another room (or at least on Do Not Disturb), turn off the TV and even get away from your gorgeous bookshelves. Social media can be the kryptonite of dedicated readers, and bookshelves are no less guilty. Especially for a daydreamer planning out their next read.

Step 6: Enjoy Your Coze.

There you have it. My foolproof guide to the perfect cozy read. Read on fellow bookworms

-Dev