There’s nothing more comforting than a bowl of chicken soup. The steam nourishes your spirits, and the spices envelop you on a sick or chilly day. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this list of seven soothing recommendations, just as hearty as a warm bowl of soup.
Trigger Warning: Some of these novels lightly touch on the themes of loss, grief, and mental health; please exercise personal care while reading.
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
Anita Kelly’s novel is a steaming hot-pot of romance, competition, and above all, self-love. Newly divorced Dahlia Woodson crosses paths with chef London Parker when they face off in a chaotic cooking competition show. Much like the pots and pans hot on the stove, their love begins to simmer away.
This is the perfect warming and cozy novel, best enjoyed on a winter’s day, with plenty of snacks, of course. It’s both heartwarming and teaches a vital lesson: sometimes, self-love is the sweetest ingredient of all.
Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck & Fortune by Roselle Lim
Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck & Fortune follows protagonist Natalie as she navigates bittersweet emotions after her mother’s death. Upon returning to San Francisco’s Chinatown, Natalie discovers her late mother’s restaurant waiting for her, and the secret ingredient to her recipes – a dash of magic.
As Natalie learns to tend to her own healing heart, Roselle Lim blends food, love, and storytelling into a nourishing feast for the soul. If you love a sprinkle of magical realism, paired with tantalizing food fic, this one needs a spot on your TBR.
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
Ideal for fans of heartfelt rom-coms (with a side of noodles), A Pho Love Story will satiate your appetite for love and food. Vietnamese-American teens Linh and Bao are basically the Romeo and Juliet of the restaurant world in Loan Le’s novel. When they unexpectedly fall for each other, both learn that food can bridge even the widest divides. The novel is flavorsome and funny, guaranteed to warm your heart and rumble your stomach.
Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food & Love, Edited by Elsie Chapman & Caroline Tung Richmond
Keeping it in the kitchen, Hungry Hearts will prove that food is the ultimate love language. This vibrant anthology stirs together thirteen diverse voices to tell stories where food connects and heals. Set in the streets of Hungry Hearts Row, each story brings a spoonful of magic and mayhem.
Every tale celebrates culture and community, so if you’re looking for a book that feels like a hangout with your best friend, definitely give this one a read.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Sangu Madanna’s novel brims with warmth and acceptance, delivering a cozy fantasy about family and quiet magic. Lonely witch Mika Moon is used to suppressing her powers, that is, until she’s hired to teach young witches.
Following the lovable Mika on a journey of self-compassion with a dash of whimsy along the way. The novel is a light-hearted reflection on the transformative power of self-love, and has all the “chicken-soup” feel-good factor you could want.
The Language of Baklava by Diana Abu-Jaber
Writer Diana Abu-Jaber presents the reader with a rich melting pot of recipes and memories, as she explores what it meant to grow up Jordanian-American in upstate New York. It’s a funny and vibrant coming-of-age story celebrating heritage and self-expression through the art of cooking.
Readers also love the Middle-Eastern cooking inspo Abu-Jade details in each chapter. Every dish is a lesson in identity and love, giving the reader an appetite for both the recipes and the stories served alongside.
A 6th Bowl of Chicken Soup for the Soul: More Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit by Jack Canfield & Mark Victor Hansen
This classic collection serves as a reminder that every small act of kindness can add up. In this sixth helping of Chicken Soup, Canfield and Hansen offer readers new true stories that uplift and inspire.
If you’re looking for a wholesome read, this collection will give you the bookish equivalent of a warm hug. Read a little every day to savor stories of hope and comfort when you need them most.
Books, like soup, are meant to be enjoyed. Some make you laugh out loud, others make you cry, and some just wrap you in warmth until you forget what had you feeling chilly in the first place. So grab a spoon (or a bookmark) and tuck in. Your heart will thank you for it!
Craving more wholesome feels? Check out cookbooks inspired by your favorite fandoms here.
Why not give Bookstr’s recs a read over on Bookshop.org?
