Elizabeth wrote to me and asked for a comfort reading list, which is something we've talked off and on about here for years:
I think I speak for a lot of people (and given your “silly stuff” post yesterday, you as well) when I say that we need something, ANYTHING, to take our minds off of this horrifying tragedy, and the actions and reactions (for better and worse) of the media and those around us.
I admit, I'm reading a lot this week, and have even started to buffet my books, reading three at the same time in case one turns dark or scary. It's definitely a comfort to me to be reading. And so many of us have books we re-read and enjoy each time, though the reasons those books are so comforting can very by person.
With apologies to Lord Byron, I think what Elizabeth is looking for is the best of warm and bright comfort reading — as she put it, “funny, heartwarming romances” — books that aren't just comforting because they are familiar, but because they inspire the warmth and contentment that comes with good writing, good stories, and, well, some good for an hour or so of reading.
What do you recommend that's warm and happy, the best of the cozy and comforting in romance?
Okay, the majority of my favorites have been listed. In the last five years, I’ve leaned more historical than contemporary, but I find that for a few months before the holidays and sometimes as late as Feb, I like the sweet simple Signet Regency Anthologies, you know Barbara Metzger, Edith Layton, Carla Kelly, Emma Jensen, et alia. I just love the, small bites of happiness when its bitter outside. Also solves my instant satisfaction need.
PS, in the last few years its also been reading the posts here that lift the gloom for me.
🙂
Another vote for Jennifer Crusie’s _Bet Me_. I also tend to re-read old Signets, including those by Marjorie Farrell, Melinda McRae, and Mary Jo Putney (hers from before they were sexed up as Zebra reissues). Plus Georgette Heyer, especially _The Grand Sophy_ and _Venetia_.
Anything by my “J” authors: Jude Deveraux, Judith McNaught, Julie Garwood, or Julia Quinn.
Christmas romances. That’s all I’m reading right now.
The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery – it’s been a comfort read for most of my life.
The Ladies of Missalonghi by Colleen McCullough is one of my go-to mood lifters, although it has some cynical parts. From Georgette Heyer’s Regencies, I choose Arabella first of all—although, again, it’s a bit cynical. When I want to read about good people who do good things and also romances with happy endings, I savor Ellis Peters’ Brother Cadfael mysteries. (Not the movies—they loaded them down with gore and grossness and cynicism and ose!)
Anything Jill Shalvis, Christie Craig or Jennifer Crusie. I like funny romances when I am feeling the need for comfort.
I find that certain authors end up being comfort reads: while I have certain preferences – Ain’t she sweet and See Jane score – the entire backlist of Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson can usually get me out of any blue funk.
Betty Neels—the ultimate in comfort reads.
I generally find Christmas books to be comforting – even if there are hard issues and angst at the end you get the HEA wrapped in a healthy dollop of holidays seasons good feelings.
May be a little unorthodox but i love to drop into Nalini SIngh’s psy-changelings or the In Death series because there is such a strong current of caring and family running through both series. The overall plot lines might not be nice and cozy, but the feeling of family is usually what I am looking for, esp the fact that family is as much who you chose as who you are born to.
Carried Away by Jill Barnett. Its funny and heartwarming.
I also just read Misty and the Single Dad by Marion Lennox. I have mixed feelings about category romance, but this one was sweet and well written.
If you’re looking for some new authors, try Sarah McLean and Juliana Gray. Both are fabulous. I agree with almost all the big names mentioned here, but I hope you’ll also try Christine Merrill – a favorite, and truly heartwarming, but really funny too!
May I second laj’s recommendation of Rosamunde Pilcher’s Winter Solstice. So heart-warming and her descriptions of Scotland in winter are pitch-perfect.
When I need a pick-me-up, it is always Eve Langlais. Her PNR romances witty, quick, and effervescent. Dominant males, tough females, and hillarious banter. I’m guaranteed a few laugh-out-loud moments!! Look for her Freakin’ series, F.U.C. series, and Princess of Hell series.
I suggest Suzanne Enoch, especially Taming Rafe and The Rake. Both are funny and light. I’m not the biggest Susan Elizabeth Phillips fan, but my all-time favorite contemporary is her Match Me If You Can. I also love Georgette Heyer’s Arabella, but you can’t go wrong with any of hers.
Mine are really different. While I too love Susan Elizabeth Phillips for the fun, my real comfort reads are anything by LaVyrle Spencer, (favorite is Hummingbird) and Lorraine Heath’s older westerns (Always to Remember, Parting Gifts, Sweet Lullaby), Carolyn Davidson (The Wedding Promise, Tender Stranger) and Cheryl St. John. Especially during the Christmas season, I love a tender Americana or western. Oh, how I wish Heath still wrote those fabulous westerns!
Lord of Scoundrels is still my all time favorite. Patricia Briggs Alpha and Omega series is also really good because it’s full of strong characters. I love Charles.
Oh, and Robyn Carr too.
Jane Austen ftw!
Since I first read Pride and Prejudice and saw the miniseries of the same in my early twenties, these kinds of stories set in regency times have remained the ulitimate comfort read for me.
Georgette Heyer works well too, I just this week reread Cotillion, which is a perfectly lovely fluffy read.
In the same vein I love Jude Morgan’s books An Accomplished Woman and Indiscretion. These are also regency romances with sharp and witty heroines and lots of witty banter, but also some really poingnant moments. The only modern author I’ve found that I’ve enjoyed as much as Austen. I can’t recommend these Jude Morgan books enough, I think they might be just about my favorite books.
(Although lately I’ve read quite a few of Sherry Thomas’s books, and she is good! And close to the comfort read category)
Forgot to agree with Dread Pirate Rachel about Anne of Green Gables. I read these countless times growing up and never tired of the series. And when I reread the first three a year ago, the older me found them just as well written and funny and good.
Seconding many who’ve already suggested Georgette Heyer – real comfort reads. I also like Jennifer Crusie. I listed to Charlie All Night, Getting Rid of Bradley, and Fast Women recently, and they’re excellent, especially Charlie All Night (it’s the name of a radio show…)
I liked Sophie Kinsella’s Remember Me and Can You Keep a Secret. I also liked Jayne Fresina’s Most Improper Miss Sophie Valentine.
“The Wallbanger” by Alice Clayton, it’s hilARious, heartwarming, squeal-worthy, makes-you-want-to-laugh-out-loud-and-hug-any-random-thing, and SO MUCH FUN. I especially loved Clive, the grumpy and love-struck cat. This book is a MUST READ if you want to be cheered up!
This is not a torrid, erotic or Regency romance but Wendy Wax’s “Ten Beach Road” is a really good read with a happy ending. I agree with Sarah, I’m out of work and worried about money, plus the holidays and the recent news, I find reading “trashy novels” takes me away better than Calgon ever did (you have to be at least 40 to get that joke) and the more I can escape, the better.
Most of these are self-explanatory. Julia Quinn, Jennifer Crusie, Anne of Green Gables series (or anything else by LM Montgomery), Jane Austen, etc.
I like Robyn Carr, but too many guns in the series for a comfort read for me. I also caution on the Kristan Higgins rec who is either love/hate.
I recommend Sprig Muslin by Heyer not so much the Talisman Ring. I also recommend Arabella, Black Sheep, and Cotillion.
Maybe also Amanda Quick not sure which one.
In general I tend to re-read something I already like, so my advice is to pick an old favorite.
No one has suggested Carla Kelly yet? The Surgeon’s Lady is probably my favorite, but pretty much all of her books are a go-to comfort read for me. Even if I pick up one of hers I’ve not yet read, I know it’s going to be like slipping my feet into a pair of slippers and sipping hot chocolate (the good stuff—none of that powered mix).
I too adore Jude Morgan’s books. They’re brilliant. I regularly reread Indiscretion (and all of Austen).
Anne of Green Gables, definitely.
One of my favorites is Love’s Legacy, by various authors. It perfectly captures the escapism and the love I have of reading. There’s several short stories and a little something for everyone – from medieval, to pirates, to regency and westerns.
I distracted myself by having a two-day Downton Abbey marathon. To me, that series is almost as good as reading a book.
Highlander Untamed by Monica McCarty. Just finished reading it and I LOVED it!!
I love the Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig. It’s a feel-good holiday read.
Yet another shout out for the Anne of Green Gable series. I re-read all 8 books regularly and have done so since I first read A of G G over 20 years ago. Blue Castle is also a regular re-read. As far as romances, my comfort reads are Kiss an Angel, Slightly Dangerous, Morning Glory, Years, Arabella, Cotillion, Frederica, and Sylvester.
I just came up with another! Beauty by Robin McKinley (and really anything by her other than Sunshine, which is a vampire novel and is pretty dark, but still good). It’s really well written and (at the time) a novel concept of re-imagining classic fairy tales.
Oh, Trish, your tastes are exactly mine! Have you read Catherine Anderson’s OLD books? If not, I think you’d like them. I worship Spencer’s MORNING GLORY. I adore SEP’s HEAVEN, TEXAS. Have you read Ellen O’Connell? She writes fabulous westerns. If you’d like to talk more, e-mail me at itislynda @ hotmail.com.
I think I might have read one of Anderson’s a long time ago, but can’t remember. I know I’ve picked them up for my mother at a UBS, so I’ll have to pick up some for me. Thanks for the recommendation. I do read O’Connell and love her stuff. In fact, I’m reading Beautiful Bad Man now. Be sure & check out Caroline Fyffe too! I have to go out of town, but will email you when I return to talk!
Carla Kelly.
Carolyn Brown’s Cowboy series is a lot of fun and comforting. Characters are secure in themselves and their home. I never thought I’d like cowboy romances, but Carolyn Brown is awesome. And, I am suburban girl who has never been on a ranch or in Texas.