By Tom Gauld
[Image description: A comic titled “Gentler Genres for These Tough Times.” It shows ten books with cheerful pastel covers. They are titled Cosy Crime, Restful Romance, Soothing Sci-Fi, Affable Action, Harmonious Horror, Friendly Fantasy, Cheery Cyberpunk, Genial Ghosts, Mild Mystery, and Dainty Dystopia. End image description.]
Other folks’ mileage might vary, but here are what I would put in those genres:
Cosy crime: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Restful romance: Happiness by Aminatta Forna; With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
Soothing sci-fi: To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis
Affable action: Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
Harmonious horror: Welcome to Night Vale by Joseph Fink
Friendly fantasy: The Leagues and Legends trilogy by E.J. Lomax; The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison; Raybearer and Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko
Cheery cyberpunk: Idoru by William Gibson
Genial ghosts: The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo
Mild mystery: Murder on the Rockport Limited by Clint McElroy, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, Travis McElroy, and Carey Pietsch (illus.)
Dainty dystopia: The Back of the Turtle by Thomas King