Do you like old-fashioned books? I do and I’ve downloaded many of the titles below. I thought I would put together a post of 100+ free old-fashioned cozy books for Kindle for others who might enjoy discovering some new titles and new-to-them authors. This is a great way to stretch your book budget and still have lots and lots of things to read.
Free Old-Fashioned Cozy Books
I haven’t read all of the books below, but I’ll mention under each author the ones I have read and particularly liked. To be honest, I like sweet stories with happy endings. I enjoy a bit of intrigue, but I tend to gravitate toward “nice” stories. I’m not a sophisticated reader of fiction. I like meaty non-fiction, but I read fiction to completely escape to a happier place – not read depressing stories. If you don’t like sweet stories, you might want to ignore my recommendations. LOL!
Obviously since these are all old books many are going to have politically incorrect language and attitudes. I didn’t screen them for that just like I didn’t screen all of the books on my 100 Wholesome Books for Girls and Tweens. If those things bother you, then don’t download any of them. I’m not going to defend the content of any of the books.
Kindle e-readers
I absolutely love my Kindle e-reader because it makes it possible for me to read at bedtime. For decades I read books at bedtime, but I struggle with holding actual books now due to chronic neck and shoulder issues. David bought a Kindle ereader for me a few Christmases ago and I’m so thankful for it. I can prop it up and read from it before going to sleep. No sleep disrupting glow either. Happy happy!
Kindle Paperwhite Essentials BundleKindle Paperwhite – WaterproofKindle – Now with a Built-in Front Light
***The books below with a clickable cover should all be free. Some of the books I mention in the commentary aren’t free, but I still wanted to mention them.***
Grace S. Richmond Books
Grace Richmond (1866 – 1959) was a popular writer during the early part of the twentieth century. Her most well-known book today is probably The Twenty-Fourth of June which I have read a few times. It’s a sweet story. I just finished Under the Country Sky and The Brown Study. Both were good reads. The Red Pepper Burns series was very popular during its time. I also read Foursquare a number of years ago and enjoyed it. Round the Corner on Gay Street is another of her books that is only available in a priced copy. She has some that aren’t public domain yet as well which you will see listed on Amazon.
Grace Livingston Hill Books
Grace Livingston Hill (April 16, 1865 – 1947) was a prolific writer and one of the best-known Christian authors of her time (late 1800’s through roughly WW2). After the death of her father and husband, she was left with a mother and two daughters to provide for. At times she wrote three books a year. Other than short stories I haven’t tracked down, I’ve read pretty much everything she’s written. This is the Grace Livingston Hill Wikipedia entry.
Her early books (which include many of the free ones below) are of a different style than the later books. I generally like her stories from the 20’s and 30’s the best. That said, the first two books below (Cloudy Jewel and The Enchanted Barn) are two cozy favorites.
You might not be familiar with the fourth book in the list (The Witness), but many missionaries and pastors have mentioned through the years the profound impact that book had on their lives. It was an important book when it was published. It’s not as cozy as some of the others, but it’s worth a read both for the content and to be familiar with an important part of Christian publishing history. If I am going to recommend cozy Grace Livingston Hill books that aren’t free, I would send you to The Substitute Guest, The Prodigal Girl, Re-Creations, April Gold, Beauty for Ashes, Honor Girl, Matched Pearls, and The Christmas Bride.
Pansy or Isabella Alden Books
Isabella Alden (November 3, 1841 – August 5, 1930) was Grace Livingston Hill’s aunt and played a key role in helping Grace establish her writing career. Isabella was also known as the writer Pansy and was wildly popular during her time. If you search Pansy book on eBay, you can see many of her antique books. Here is the Isabella Alden Wikipedia entry. You can read more about Isabella Alden on her Amazon author page where there are also many of her books available for $0.99.
Louisa May Alcott Books
Louisa May Alcott (November 29, 1832 – March 6, 1888) is best known for Little Women, but there are many other Alcott stories to explore! I read An Old-Fashioned Girl, Rose in Bloom, and Eight Cousins many years ago. I need to read them again! You can read the Louisa May Alcott Wikipedia entry to learn more.
Frances Hodgson Burnett Books
I have to admit that I haven’t read anything by Frances Hodgson Burnett (November 24, 1849 – October 29, 1924). Not even the first two on the list! I need to rectify that so I’m adding a few of these below to my Kindle. Here is the Frances Hodgson Burnett Wikipedia entry to learn more about her.
Elizabeth Gaskell Books
Elizabeth Gaskell (September 29, 1810 – November 12, 1865) is probably best known for North and South, Wives and Daughters. and Cranford due to the various mini-series that have been made in recent years. (I thoroughly enjoyed the North and South mini-series with Richard Armitage and Daniela Denby-Ashe. That ending. Swoon!) Gaskell’s books are probably the “heaviest” in terms of the subject matter of any of the authors in this post. This is the Elizabeth Gaskell Wikipedia entry.
Lucy Maud Montgomery Books
Lucy Maud Montgomery (November 30, 1874 – April 24, 1942) is the Canadian author best known for Anne of Green Gables. She has also written many books, short stories. etc. Below is just a sampling of what is available. You can learn more about her at the Lucy Maud Montgomery Wikipedia entry.
***Which of the free cozy books for Kindle above are particular favorites of yours?***
On Bookstores and Books
Great list Sallie! I LOVE Grace Livingston Hill books. I began re-reading them on Kindle Ap last summer while traveling and just kept going until I had read them all. 🙂 I found them to be so encouraging both for the timely Bible verses and because the themes/character studies were so real and such a reminder that there is truly nothing new under the sun. I read almost every LM Montgomery title, beginning when my second daughter was a newborn in 1990-’91 and I enjoyed them at the time, but I also ended up with delayed, mild PP depression and I relate the non-Anne books to that time, so haven’t gone back there. I read the Pansy books about 10 years ago and need to read them again. For some reason I haven’t read LM Alcott or FH Burnett, and I will have to look for Richmond and Gaskell – I loved Cranford shows. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Susan!
If you like Grace Livingston Hill, I think you would probably enjoy Grace Richmond. Richmond is not as descriptive as Hill so the books read a bit differently. And the faith component is more subtle in Richmond’s books. But overall they have a lot in common.
Glad you enjoyed the list! 🙂
Sallie
Thank you so much for sharing this information with us! What a great time for reading, although I still prefer the actual book, these take up less space!
Hi Melissa!
You are very welcome! I hope you find some good ones you enjoy. I agree that nothing beats a real book, but it is nice to also be able to throw an entire library in my purse when I leave the house. A book addicts dream! LOL!
Sallie
I read Frances Hodgson Burnett’s Little Lord Fauntleroy in my early teens and liked it. Definitely an old-fashioned and cozy sort of book.
Hi Peggy,
I haven’t read that one! I need to explore Burnett’s books. 🙂
Sallie
Wow! Thank you Sallie! There were a few I haven’t seen before in this list. I’m building up my (endless!) reading list for the fall, when I shall only have grandchildren ONE afternoon a week. It will be different for me, but I think I’m ready for it.
Hi Judy!
I hope you find some good ones. That will be a big change for you to only have your grandchildren one afternoon a week! That should open up a lot of reading time.
I’m reading Strawberry Acres right now (Grace Richmond) and enjoying it. It’s definitely a cozy story so far. 🙂
Wow, thanks for these really great finds of free books for Kindle! I’m going to check out these authors, some of which are new to me! I love free books and need to add to my Kindle collection.
I do really like Burnett’s books, especially The Secret Garden and The Little Princess. Even as an adult, these are ones I read over and over. The Little Princess has a powerful message of acting nobly under persecution that has wonderful and numerous applications.
However, I never saw until an adult that the Secret Garden, especially, has an element of paganism in it (in the scene where the little boy does chants to bring his father home). It doesn’t ruin the book, still lots of great lessons in it, just something to discuss with kids (or skim over if reading aloud, depending on your approach/age of the child).
Hi Suzanne,
I’m so glad you found some new authors to check out. I haven’t read Burnett’s books, but they are my to-read list. I will look into “The Little Princess” first.
Sallie
Thank you for this list. I love all the free cozy books I can get for Kindle. Two other authors I’ve discovered are Joseph Crosby Lincoln (American sea-faring themes) and Maurice Leblanc (detective fiction translated from French). Of the authors you mentioned, Gaskell is my favorite.