I love books. And recently I've been thinking about how much they love me back. I commented on a Facebook status featuring a display of Julia Quinn's novels about how I spent a four day weekend at our lake-house in Maine reading her Bridgerton series from start to finish-- I think there were seven of them at the time-- while the scabs on my bald head healed. I'd just finished treatment for the worst of my cancer battles and was getting the worried, sideways glances. Nobody was sure I'd make it. I swear to you, I believe losing myself in that gloriously warm, funny, wonderful series was healing, nurturing, and helped me turn the corner.I actually look back on that particular weekend with great fondness. Reading good books is, for me, a lush experience. Give me that lovely, earthy smell of the lake and pines. Give me a blanket over my legs on the dock, one pug nestled across a thigh, and a cold drink within reach. Give me the words-- a book open in my hands into which I can tumble. I may be the only person alive who would, knowing how it will end, gladly tumble right into Tom Riddle's cursed diary just because the thrill of it makes me shiver. Voldemort can do his best-- the idea of actually somersaulting down, down, down into the pages-- HEAVEN!
I've always loved books. I've always taken solace and comfort in their pages.
This past week I was feeling down, and once again crawled into one of Julia Quinn's universes. I read Ten Things I Love About You in a greedy, delighted rush. I'm also finally getting to the latest House of Night book. The experience was so delicious I have decided, very soon, to re-live my Bridgerton marathon.
Is there a series you wander back to re-read when you need to feel loved and comforted? I have so many-- but I'd love to add even more to my list! So what books do you love, and more importantly, which ones love you back?
Maeve Binchy (Circle of Friends and Glass Lake) and Years by LaVyrle Spencer. Always.
ReplyDeleteThe Secret, The Bride and Saving Grace by Julie Garwood. Also the Chronicles of Narnia.
ReplyDeleteSeveral - though mine are mostly contemporary. I recently went back through Kay Hooper's category series revolving around Hagen - from In Serena's Web through Aces High. I think there are ten or a dozen books. But I always go back to Linda Howard's four connected categories revolving around Sabin. I go back to Nora Roberts' trilogies and series often - I just went back through the four Cordina's Royal family ones, and I often return to the MacGregors. If I want something longer, or more historic, I'll go back to Roberta Gellis and the Rosalynde Chronicles. They really hooked me on romance - and on history.
ReplyDeleteBoy, good question. And one I'm not sure I have an answer to at the moment. I tend to pick something new when I need to escape, hoping for a fresh world and a different place to explore.
ReplyDeleteLois McMaster Bujold's books love me back, because they're so warm and human and emotional. And Diana Wynne Jones's fantasies are a great comfort to me -- wish-fulfillment coupled with intelligence and humor. And Edward Eager brings my childhood back...
ReplyDeleteIt awesome that those books could help you through a tough time. I have different books for different needs. For instance, if I want to go back to a simpler me, I re-read a childhood favorite or a Garfield or even Calvin and Hobbes. If I need to just let go and be silly, I read a book or two of the Xanth series by Piers Anthony. Sometimes the only book that'll do is Jane Eyre, and others I have to slide into To Kill a Mockingbird.
ReplyDeleteLast year when my baby son was in and out of the hospital I always had at least one of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander books with me at all times. After he had recovered I wrote a short email to Diana letting her know how much a source of comfort her stories were to me during a rough time of worry and fear.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if i have a series of books but i definitely have tv miniseries...lol
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