It’s December, so I’m very focused on comfort and coziness. I can’t blame it on the weather — we aren’t snowed in, we’ve had a handful of frosty mornings, and temperature-wise? Well, there are times when my fireplace, while lovely to look at, causes even my cats to overheat. But still I want to hibernate like a bear. So, this is why I’m excited (in a cozy kind of way) to offer two recently published titles that will gratify the hibernating bear in all of us.
• “Cosy: The British Art of Comfort,” by Laura Weir (HarperOne, 162 pages):
First we had “hygge,” the Danish art of living happy. Next came “lagom,” the Swedish way of living a balanced life. Somewhere in between was “shinrin-yoku,” the Japanese art of forest bathing. Now the British are joining the live-well-live-happy bandwagon with “Cosy: The British Art of Comfort” by Laura Weir. Weir is the editor-in-chief of the London “Evening’s Standard ES Magazine,” and as a busy journalist and media personality, she definitely knows what it’s like to live and work in our 24/7 society. Now she’s helping us to understand how the British do cozy; and the best part is, you don’t have to be English to enjoy a bit of English comfort.
If your first thought was tea, you’re jolly well right. “Drinking tea is a ritual upon which most of us rely,” states Weir. For the British “tea is home, tea is totally cosy and it belongs to us all.” But making a cup of tea shouldn’t be a haphazard process, so helpful instructions are provided (and by the way, “biscuits are not optional”). Once you’ve got the tea down you’re ready to undertake other acts of comfort such as cozy clothing, cozy crafting and even a cozy Christmas. So, if you’re feeling the pressure of the holidays, brew a cup of tea, grab a biscuit, and find a cozy spot to read this comfy little book.
• “Eat Joy: Stories & Comfort Food From 31 Celebrated Writers,” edited by Natalie Eve Garrett (Black Balloon Publishing, 194 pages):
