Cozy - by Isabel Gillies (Paperback)

About the Book

"New York Times bestselling author Isabel Gillies picks up where our cultural fascination with hygge leaves off in this fresh and inspiring look on the subtle art of cozy: Part manifesto, part lifestyle guide, part memoir, Cozy shows readers that true comfort comes from within"--

Book Synopsis

The New York Times bestselling author of Happens Every Day, Isabel Gillies, presents a fresh and inspiring look at the subtle art of cozy--part manifesto, part lifestyle guide, part memoir--that shows fans of The Little Book of Hygge that true comfort comes from within.

When we talk about being cozy, most of us think of a favorite sweater or a steaming cup of tea on a rainy day. But to Isabel Gillies, coziness goes beyond mere objects. To be truly cozy, she argues, means learning to identify the innermost truth of yourself and carrying it into the world, no matter your environment.

Starting when she was young, Gillies has gradually learned the art and subtle beauty of creating a life where you feel safe, steadied, and at home in the world. From old family recipes and subway rides to jury duty and hospital stays, in Cozy Gillies shows readers that true ease stems not with throw pillows and a candle, but from opportunities to feel that we are part of something bigger than ourselves, and learn to make ourselves at home no matter where we are.

Simple choices can make a hectic life or an uncomfortable situation just a little more comfortable--you just have to know what to do. Just as Marie Kondo offered a philosophy for how to tidy, Gillies offers a new way of occupying the spaces we live in. Starting with yourself, then broadening to your home, your community, and the world at large, Cozy will show you how to bring the truth of who you are into any situation, easy or challenging. As Gillies says, "Cozy isn't something that just exists. You have to make cozy happen."

Written with profound warmth and featuring hand-drawn illustrations, this wise, necessary book is call to action for each of us to seek out those often-missed opportunities to care for ourselves, and to begin living a more intimate and authentic life.

From the Back Cover

"Cozy isn't something that just exists. You have to make cozy happen."

When we talk about being cozy, most of us think of a favorite sweater or a steaming cup of tea on a rainy afternoon. But to Isabel Gillies, coziness goes beyond mere objects. To be truly cozy, Gillies believes, it's essential to identify the truth of who you are and carry it with you into your day, no matter the environment.

Gillies has mastered the art and subtle beauty of creating spaces where you feel safe, steady, and at home in your corner of the world. From old family recipes to subway rides, from jury duty to hospital stays, Gillies picks up where hygge leaves off, showing readers that true coziness stems not only from throw pillows but from seizing opportunities to feel that we are part of something bigger than ourselves. If you capitalize on simple choices, you can make a hectic life or an uncomfortable situation more than just bearable.

This wise, necessary book is a call to action for each of us to seek out those often-missed chances to create a world for ourselves where we feel safe, delighted even, when life is hard.

Review Quotes

"Cozy is a guide to living your life on the warm, fuzzy line between hygge and Marie Kondo."--Sam Sifton

"A mashup of manifesto, lifestyle guide, memoir, observation, recipes, and hand-drawn illustrations... Put it on the shelf next to your copy of The Little Book of Hygge, Marie Kondo, and The Happiness Project."--GOOP

"For fans of Meik Wiking's The Little Book of Hygge comes this new release offering advice on how to withstand uncertainty and discomfort in the world by discovering one's inner cozy."--Library Journal

"For Gillies, coziness is a state of mind, the environments we create in our homes to feel at ease. Think of her as a companion to Marie Kondo, filling up all those spaces once they've been decluttered."--New York Times Book Review

"Gillies has managed to define what I thought was not definable"--Lena Dunham

"In her new book, Cozy, Isabel Gillies asks pointed questions to uncover the essence of a peaceful moment."--Purist

"In this fun tribute to that snugly feeling, Gillies blends first-person essays and travelogues, recipes, and tips to show that coziness isn't all about blankets and candles. It's a way of looking at the world in a new light."--Real Simple

"Beautifully written with warmth and heart, Cozy is a balm for hard times. As Isabel Gillies reminds us, our everyday choices have enormous power to make our lives happier, more fulfilling, and more in tune with what makes us genuinely us. Move over hygge--the age of Cozy is here!"--Charles Duhigg, author of bestsellers The Power of Habit and Smarter Faster Better