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Thu Jul 10 2025

Clare Mulroy | Books Reporter

Happy Thursday, booklovers!

Though summer often marks a time of relaxation and vacation, it's still hard to escape the anxieties that doomscrolling, climate change, politics and busy lives usher in. Reading has always been my escape when life feels overwhelming. Diving into a good book gets me off my phone and soothes my mind ( even if it's a dystopian story).

Figuring we all needed a little comfort, I compiled a list of cozy reads for you to add to your TBR this summer. You can check out the full list at books.usatoday.com or listen to me talk about it on The Excerpt, USA TODAY's daily news podcast. Here are a few favorites I want to share:

🏠 "Anxious People" by Fredrik Backman: If you need a book that restores your faith in humanity, Backman should be your first stop. Every book I've read of his has made me feel deeply, and even his writing about dark subjects leaves you feeling better about the world.

🐈 "We'll Prescribe You a Cat" by Syou Ishida: "Healing fiction" is on the rise, and "We'll Prescribe You a Cat" is one example that has all the furry sidekicks you need to lower your anxiety levels. It follows a mysterious clinic in Kyoto with unorthodox but transformative prescription plans.

🚆 "Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting" by Clare Pooley: I'm a sucker for a found-family story, and "Iona Iverson" has that and more. This book follows an unlikely community of train commuters sparked by an eccentric senior who has a hard time minding her own business.

8 comforting books to turn to when life gets hard.

Covers courtesy of Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, HarperCollins

Comfort books look different to everyone – what are your favorites? Give me your recommendations at cmulroy@usatoday.com or find me on Instagram. Thanks for reading USA TODAY Books this week.