Sips & Stories: The Perfect Pairings of Coffee, Tea, and a Good Book

There’s something undeniably cozy about pairing your favorite warm drink with a page-turning book. Whether you’re a morning coffee drinker, a night-time tea sipper, or a bit of both, the right combination can turn a quiet moment into a magical escape. Here’s a roundup of drink + book pairings across genres—perfect for solo afternoons, rainy weekends, or lazy Sunday mornings.

There’s a special joy in slowing down, sipping something warm, and diving into a story. Whether you’re in the mood for dragons or detectives, starships, or slow-burn love, there’s a cup and a book out there waiting for you.

Literary Fiction & Earl Grey

Drink: Earl Grey with a slice of lemon or a splash of milk

Books to sip with:

• The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro – A slow-burning, elegant novel of reflection and restraint.
• Bel Canto by Ann Patchett – A beautiful, surprising story of music and human connection in a hostage crisis.
• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens – Lyrical prose and themes of loneliness and resilience in the marshes of North Carolina.

Mystery/Thriller & Black Coffee

Drink: Strong, black coffee—dark, intense, and focused

Books to sip with:

• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson – Dark secrets, sharp characters, and a chilling mystery.
• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides – A psychological thriller with a twist you won’t see coming.
• The Guest List by Lucy Foley – A destination wedding turned deadly, told through multiple perspectives.

Fantasy & Chai Latte

Drink: Spiced chai latte—warm, rich, with a touch of magic

Books to sip with:

• A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab – Multiple Londons, powerful magic, and a coat that’s more than it seems.
• The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon – Dragons, queens, and epic fantasy feminism.
• The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern – A dreamy, labyrinthine world of secret libraries and stories within stories.

Romance & Rose Tea

Drink: Rose tea with honey or lavender milk tea—soft and heartwarming

Books to sip with:

• Book Lovers by Emily Henry – Witty, bookish banter and a love story with depth.
• The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood – Fake dating, STEM academia, and swoon-worthy moments.
• Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino – A second-chance romance that feels like poetry in motion.

Sci-Fi & Cold Brew

Drink: Cold brew coffee—bold, energizing, and futuristic

Books to sip with:

• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir – Space survival, science, and unexpected friendship.
• The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers – Cozy sci-fi with a focus on character and diversity.
• Neuromancer by William Gibson – Cyberpunk classic with gritty tech and mind-bending concepts.

Historical Fiction & English Breakfast Tea

Drink: English Breakfast with a splash of milk—classic, steady, comforting

Books to sip with:

• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah – WWII-era France and the strength of sisterhood.
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak – A story of love, words, and loss narrated by Death.
• Circe by Madeline Miller – Greek mythology reimagined through a feminist, lyrical lens.

Horror & Matcha

Drink: Matcha latte—earthy, slightly bitter, strangely soothing

Books to sip with:

• Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia – Creepy mansion, unsettling characters, and lush writing.
• The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones – Cultural horror that’s as psychological as it is supernatural.
• House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski – A labyrinthine novel where the format itself starts to unnerve you.

Young Adult & Hot Chocolate

Drink: Creamy hot chocolate with marshmallows—nostalgic, sweet, and full of feeling

Books to sip with:

• They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera – A tender, emotional exploration of living fully with limited time.
• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz – A poetic, gentle coming-of-age love story.
• A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer – A dark, twisty Beauty and the Beast retelling with YA heart.

A couple of different authors would be a good pairing with any drink are:

• Jenny Colgan
• Kasie West
• Helen Hoang
• Sally Thorne
• Casey McQuiston
• Becky Albertalli