by Jocelyne Audet-Patey
Happy November! You know when you meet someone, you just click!? Well. This is how I felt (and continually feel) about my friend Jocelyne Audet-Patey. She is an inspirational force to be reckoned with in all aspects of her life—family, work, running, style, anddd with words. An avid reader and lover of words—she has easily + quickly become my go to book girl!
Anddd as the weather turns and we are cozying up at home, counting down the days until the holidays—it only seemed obvious to have her share her Top 10 Books to Cozy Up with all of you + I am beyond grateful she took time out of her busy busy busy life to share some of her favourites! Thank you Joce for being here! XO
“When I think of my favourite books; the feelings they invoke in me and the comfort they’ve brought to my life; I can imagine sitting in front of a fire on a cold wintery day surrounded in comfort and with the people I love.”
Imagine a blustery day, cuddled up under a warm fleece blanket, cup of coffee/tea beside the comfortable, pillow covered couch and a fireplace roaring with a warm, toasty fire. The snow is coming down outside layering your world with beautiful crisp white as far as the eye can see.
Let me tell you a story…. Or at least provide you with a wonderful list of stories that you won’t be able to put down. Now first, who am I? My name is Jocelyne; I live for reading, books and writing of any and every kind. I’m only qualified to list any type of book list because I read so much; I typically read fifty to one hundred books every year. I know Holly through our side-gigs; from lipsense to Stella; she and I have built business alongside each other and created a wonderful friendship! Knowing me and my passion, she asked me to create this list for you, her wonderful readership!
Like Holly, I live for my family. I have two sweet wonderful boys, Eric aged eight, and Marcus aged three. My hubby and I have been married for ten years; from a whirlwind courtship, quick engagement to years of building a foundation; he brings me joy and is in every way my person; my better half. When not with those three wonderful humans; I can either be found working at Aerie showcasing athleisure style or out running with my girls. I have run two marathons, five half marathons and will hit 1500kms this year!!! Somehow in my spare time, I still find time to sit in my happy place and read; to devour the words and literature that fill my cup.
When I think of my favourite books; the feelings they invoke in me and the comfort they’ve brought to my life; I can imagine sitting in front of a fire on a cold wintery day surrounded in comfort and with the people I love. I hope they’ll do the same for you. Grab a blanket, and cozy up with any or all of these ten must reads for the cool winter days:
10. Inside the O’Briens by Lisa Genova: Lisa Genova weaves beautiful stories of illness, psychological and physical challenges that captivate and draw you in. Inside the O’Briens will introduce you to an amazing family that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
09. The Distant Hours by Kate Morton: A manor house in the English countryside, well-developed characters and a mystery with an ending that shocks and delights.
08. The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo: First love. Long lost love. Epic romance; heart wrenching and a real story of love.
*I had my best friend read this book; because I loved it oh so much. She said of course I did; it’s such a Jocelyne book, so I might be a little biased.
07. Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel : Given the pandemic, this isn’t the typical cozy book because full disclosure it is about a flu that wipes out most of the world’s population. However, it is so worth the read: from the way the story unfolds, to the characters and the imagery; I know you will find it haunting and beautiful.
06. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover : This was the first Colleen Hoover that I ever picked up; and my reading world was forever changed. Most of her books are palate cleansers (light reads between heavy books to reset the brain and get you ready for must have characters), but this one was heavy and beautifully written. One of those books that sparks discussion and generates deep thought.
05. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness: FUN!!! For the lovers of Twilight, Hunger Games and maybe even Harry Potter. The characters and story will delight; and when you can’t get enough, guess what? It’s a trilogy!
04. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah: I discovered Kristin Hannah through another book; The Nightingale. She writes these beautiful female protagonists that you truly feel like you want to go out for a drink with. Her writing isn’t perfect; but her stories never disappoint to deliver on characters I would want to be friends with and stories that are beautiful and often devastating.
03. The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas: This book feels so important; it taught me more about racism, black lives matter and a reality that is so far beyond my comprehension. Sad, moving, and life changing. An absolute must read.
02. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern: Not only my top two for cozy reads, but my top two for books as a whole. It can be jarring at first moving from one character to another; but once you follow the story the writing is beautiful. Ms. Morgenstern draws pictures with her words, and tells one of the most romantic stories I have ever read.
01.The Princess Bride by William Goldman: My cozy, cold day book (and movie). I live for this story; it has a little bit of everything. It has adventure, romance, friendship and everything you know from the best movie but in book form. I might be biased as I have a 25th anniversary copy that is literally gorgeous; but I cannot have a list of top books without including this one.
*And if you love it as much as I do check out As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales From the Making of the Princess Bride by Cary Elwes, which is a poignant reflection of the making of the best movie of all time.
Andddd hey, the holidays are around the corner + maybe one (or two!) of these books would make a perfect gift! Just a thought.
Get cozy y’all + happy reading!
XO