As I reach the homeward stretch (I hope!) in the revision process for my latest manuscript I’ve been salivating over the prospect of actually having a moment to read a work of fiction that’s not mine!
I’ve just started a book for the book group I’m in called Fieldwork by Mischa Berlinski but as much as I’m enjoying it, I’m looking forward to having time to do some ‘comfort reading’. You know the sort – the sit back, have a cup of tea, eat chocolate and read a book that you know so well, it’s like slipping in between warm flannel sheets. I’m tossing up – will I re-read all the Harry Potter books? The Philip Pullman trilogy? The Lord of the Rings? My Georgette Heyer Collection (OK so I have eclectic tastes!) Or shall I regress even further and re-read my old Enid Blyton books or another old favorite series, the Chalet School books? As you can tell, I never get rid of books – so I never have far to turn for my comfort reads.
But what compels us to re-read the books we loved as a child? I’m sure pure escapism is what drives me to do it – but I also remember, all too vividly, what it was like to read as a teenager and a child. A book could transport me then to another time or place in a way that, as an adult, I find hard to recapture. I think re-reading the books of our childhood help us get another glimpse, fleeting though it may be, of a time when the reading experience could be all-consuming (hey, you didn’t have to worry about earning money or deadlines then!). I see the same joy in my own children’s eyes when I read them a story that clearly captivates their imagination. I envy that they’ll be able to read the books that for me are now ‘comfort reads’ for the first time. They will hopefully experience the visceral, all consuming power of those books whereas I can only hope to reclaim a tiny part of that experience.
So anyone have any comfort reads that they can recommend? I’m looking for a new one I think – one that can rekindle that childhood experience. But if all else fails, I’ll be combing the bookshelf once more, and putting on the kettle…
The GG’s want to sincerely thank Clare and Jennie Bentley for stepping in for the past few weeks. Thank you for all those entertaining and informative posts! And don’t forget to check out Clare’s own blog at Kill Zone.
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Mine are silly. The Phantom Toll Booth and A Wrinkle in Time. But my choices tell you a little about my real childhood. I’m glad I had these escapes, they made life easier.
by Lynn
on September 22nd, 2008 at 5:26 am
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Hey Clare! Thanks for standing in for Diana the past few weeks.
I too am longing to read a book–something that can’t happen until my wip is finished and spit shined. But as much as I’d love to curl up with a favorite MHC book or a favorite book from my childhood, I’m going straight for a mindless easy read. Pure escape…one where I don’t know what’s around the corner. I miss that.
by Laura
on September 22nd, 2008 at 7:17 am
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I’m thinking The Stand by Srephen King and Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy. I’m guessing that’s a guy thing.
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I like the Clancy movies…
by Laura
on September 22nd, 2008 at 8:15 am
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I love going back to the animal and kid stories from Jim Kjelgaard, Walter Farley, and Marguerite Henry. Add in Joan Aiken’s stories, with the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books, and top it off with Mrs. Mike….and I think I have my Christmas housesitting gig completey covered - thanks so much for the inspiration, Clare!
by Kate Hathway
on September 22nd, 2008 at 8:26 am
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Looks like quite a few of us will be curling up with some good comfort reads!
by Clare Langley-Hawthorne
on September 22nd, 2008 at 11:14 am
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As I said last time, A Wrinkle In Time, or the Emily of New Moon or Anne of Green Gables series, but any old Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys book would do it, I can almost smell the old hard-backs now and picture myself going through Mom’s old boxes and the library shelves … the Black Stallion series would be a good one too …
by Katherine C.
on September 22nd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
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I’m a sucker for the Aubrey-Maturin novels by Patrick O’Brian. I still haven’t read all 20, so there is reason to live.
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What a great topic!!!
Nowadays, my comfort reads are anything in english. I guess I should explain that: It’s because I’m german and english is my favorite language.
I am a huge fan of Lucy Maud Montgomery, so any of her books are a comfort read to me. Especially the Anne series, though her other books are great, too.
I also love the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Her books always remind me of being grateful for all the things in my life that I take for granted. And although she describes a lot of troubles in her books, you can sense happiness and a deep love for life in her stories.
Something else I love is Winnie-the-Pooh. This little bear is so charming and funny! I haven’t read it in english, I have to admit, but the german translation is a very good one.
I also like to read a lot of different cozy mysteries. Reading them is always so relaxing! Right now I read “The Jasmine Moon Murder” by Laura Childs. Every time I open this book I want to make myself a cup of hot tea!
(I apologize for all the mistakes I surely made. My english improved by reading american books, but it is still far from being perfect!)
by Sabine
on September 25th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
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