In an attempt to branch out into a different genre, I looked into cozy fantasy and was fortunate enough to find some picks that promised humor. This led me to The Grimoire Grammar School Parent Teacher Association by Caitlin Rozakis.  
 
Vivian Tanaka’s life is quickly filling with new and strange things – very strange. She and her husband, Daniel, have had to move to a new town so their daughter can go to a new school. This means Vivian has to get to know new people to make sure her daughter, Aria, is able to make new friends, which is difficult because they’re still trying to get Aria’s new issue under control. The issue? Aria was bitten by a werewolf and now turns into a were-cub, often at inopportune times. 
 
Vivian is hoping that the (literally) magical Grimoire Grammar School will help Aria learn how to better control her condition and also be a place where she can fit in. However, werewolves are not the most welcome, even in a school of mages, vampires, and nymphs. Vivian does what she can to make Aria seem less like a misfit, but parents can be just as mean and cliquish as children – often more so. On top of all that, an ominous prophecy creates paranoia when it sounds like it could be about Aria.
 
Rozakis does a great job of overlaying very human problems on the backdrop of a very non-human world. The world-building is fantastic (pun partially intended), and there are plenty of humorous moments that cleverly play with mundane situations featuring supernatural beings. However, the book also has a lot of heart. The Tanaka family is likeable and easy to sympathize with as you root for them to work everything out.  
 
The book will appeal to fans of cozy and witty fantasy like T. Kingfisher’s lighter fare. The contemporary setting, humor, and likeable characters also make this a great gateway for those looking to dabble in the genre. 

Wintering is a quiet, thoughtful book that gives its readers permission to do something our culture often resists: rest when it’s needed. It gently challenges the idea that we must always be producing, improving, or pushing forward, especially when we are tired, unwell, or overwhelmed. One of the book’s most comforting ideas is that stepping back is not failure. Rest and retreat are sometimes necessary parts of living a balanced life.

 

Reading this book feels like talking with a thoughtful friend who understands difficult seasons. Katherine May reflects on what it means to step back through her own experiences and circumstances. Her writing is calm, reflective, and unhurried, which perfectly matches the book’s message and makes the reading experience feel restorative rather than demanding.

 

Despite the title, this is not a seasonal book. As we head into summer, it’s worth remembering that “wintering” can happen in any season: no cold weather required because exhaustion, unfortunately, does not follow a calendar. The book is a gentle reminder that we all move through periods when retreat and renewal are necessary, whether our busy schedules agree or not.