Comfort reads are a mainstay of the romance community, and there are so many different kinds that I return to when I need restorative reading and mental solace. There are romances that reaffirm acceptance for who we are, and romances that allow us to ride along as the characters burn everything down. There are stories that transport us away from our own emotional and mental bruising for awhile, and books that wrap us in virtual warm blankets while we read.
I still do wish for a blanket made of books, sometimes.
I’m feeling very emotionally and mentally bruised this week, and I’ve heard from a number of you who can’t look away, who are hurt and anguished and exhausted and angry. So I wanted to share our recommendations of recent books that make for soothing, restorative reads. This is our virtual safe space, and all of us are welcoming you with blankets and tea, quiet and understanding, and hope for happier ever after.
The first book that comes to my mind is Amanda’s review of A Notorious Vow by Joanna Shupe: “…this book is a gem. It gave me those starry-eyed, book-drunk feelings.”
Amanda: I’d also recommend The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. Both books are dreamy and are such great romances with acceptance at their core.
Sarah: I could certainly go for starry-eyed, book drunk feelings and stories about acceptance. Brooke, who guest reviewed The Kiss Quotient said similar things about it, too.
And speaking of guest reviews, Tara Scott lovesThe Music and the Mirror by Lola Keeley.
Along the same lines: the newest Tessa Dare was exactly what Elyse was looking for when she read it. She said The Governess Game was “as good as puppies.”
Oooh, puppies.
Amanda: I also turn to graphic novels when things get a little too heavy for me. Some colorful and fun recs that I love are I Hate Fairyland and Space Battle Lunchtime.
If your library has Hoopla, they typically have a ton of great digital graphic novels that you can read right there on your computer. Instant gratification, for the win!
Sarah: Oh, and Lumberjanes!
RedHeadedGirl: The Royal We!
Sarah: Oh – and A Taste of Pleasure by Chloe Blake, too.
Amanda: For a goofy, turn-your-brain-off-for-a-while read, what about Slouch Witch, Sarah?
Sarah: Ooh, yes. That was a fun book to read. You’re very good at this, Amanda.
Amanda: It’s not like it’s my job or anything.
Sarah: Heh.
…
What about you? What recent books have you turned to for re-reading and solace? Any you’d like to add or suggest? And if you’re looking for burn-it-all-down rage reading, we have a recommendations post for that, too.
(And please take care of yourselves, k?)
Re Summers at Castle Auburn: you might also try 3 of Sharon Shinn’s other series: the Archangel (Samaria) quintet, the Twelve Houses quintet, and the Elemental Blessings quartet. I love Twelve Houses so much that I now own them in bathtub paperback, hardcover, and audio.
I’m not American but I’ve been following the news with rising levels of disbelief, fury and bile. My heart goes out to you all, and all women who have been made unsafe and unheard. My own go-to safety-book-blanket is made of raging, ass-kicking, crazy-skilled women and the men and friends who think the world of them. Robin Lafevers’ His Fair Assassins (ASSSASSIN NUNS!), Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha and Dregs series, Kristin Cashore’s Graceling trilogy, and my ultimate favourite – Sherry Thomas’ My Beautiful Enemy. On that note, I’ve just borrowed something from the library that sounds like it could be a dose of good heaping fun in dark times: A Tyranny of Petticoats-15 Stories of Belles, Bank Robbers & Other Badass Girls, edited by Jessica Spotswood. Gonna curl up on the couch today with this and my other go-to safety blanket, which is composed of 3 fat lazy adorable cats who love a stationary lap. Take care of yourselves smart bitches!
Thank you for this post and all of these suggestions!
The audiobook of Amy Klobuchar’s memoir, The Senator Next Door has been a balm to my broken heart this week. Imagine if Rose from The Golden Girls was brilliant. Isn’t that a memoir you’d want read by the author? All of the kindness and folksy stories about and passion for Minnesota sprinkled with the tenacity and confidence of Leslie Knope. The bits about her colleague on the senate judiciary committee Al Frankin and her law school classmate Jim Comey aged quickly. Her description of Lindsey Graham as a fun travel companion on their trip to Asia with John McCain bears further scrutiny. The story of her husband, the first man to take an active roll in the spouses club, getting catcalled from a car by Senator Claire McCaskill feels right. As does her claim to an all-time senate record for raising 17,000$ from ex-boyfriends.
Thank you for all these recs.
Special mention to Lucy for rec’ing The Case of William Smith by Patricia Wentworth. Anyone who likes Agatha Christie should know about Patricia Wentworth’s Miss Silver – the first fictional female private detective, as far as I know. There are a good 20 Miss Silver books, all of them cosy country house type mysteries, with baddies getting offed, young (and occasionally not so young) couples finding each other, and Miss Silver quietly and politely putting the world to rights. The very definition of comfort in a time of need – a world with Miss Silver in it is a better place.
I have been happily reading Elizabeth Gaskell: would rather live through 19th-century social struggles vicariously through the eyes of someone who was there … than current ones in actuality
These are all fantastic. I’m feeling the first happiness all week reading this post. It’s been … rough. To say the least.
I love The Trouble with Kings, also!! If you’re into slow burn, that romance is everything. Same with the Immortals by Tamara Pierce that was already mentioned and The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. I can see we have a lot of the same comfort reads, which is great.
I also like to go back and read The Assassin’s Curse and The Pirate’s Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke (YA fantasy, female pirate falls for blood magic user who hates himself), anything by Madeleine Brent (gothic mysteries), and fairytale retrllings like East by Edith Pattou.
Final comfort thing – I search “period drama romance” on YouTube. Let the fanvids of your favorite couples commence!!!
Love this thread! So many favorites mentioned!
I’ve been reading Wen Spencer’s Tinker series (all five!), although I’ve had to stop and think about some things along the way (and another thanks for helping me be more aware when I read). Picking up Nalini Singh’s new book and really enjoying it, but also planning a reread of Ilona Andrew’s Hidden Legacy series (the power to shake things apart is extremely satisfying to me).
Thanks to all the SB’s and TB’s I’ve been exposed to over the years! It helps to know that people who get me are a click away.
Thanks for all the recommendations. I have to add the Mapp and Lucia books by EF Benson to the growing list.
I hope this next week is better for everyone!
Ursula Vernon’s Castle Hangnail is intensely comforting somehow. You know those books about someone escaping their old life by renovating an old run down mansion or castle they’ve fallen in love with? That, except middle grade fantasy and the castle comes with minions.
Someone already mentioned Goblin Emperor. Maia is just such a GOOD protagonist. He’s so good.
I love the Dreamhealers series of books by M.C.A. Hogarth. It’s just very laid back cozy science fiction in which the stakes are low and an intense aro-ace platonic friendcrush is the heart of the story. And there are cookies.
Thank you everybody else who posted and Imma go spend book money now.
I’m RE-reading Twilight, my guilty pleasure, and it’s just what I needed to escape. I also love to pick up a Nora Robert’s, she always has such strong women and lovely decent men.
Not a book, but I rewatched the first two seasons of “The Good Place” over the weekend. Sweet, smart, funny & comforting!
I love the Chocolate series from Laura Florand. Falling in love in France and lots of pastry descriptions??? Uh, yes, please. I want to go there.
I’m super late to this discussion but just wanted to add my thanks for this much-needed post! This week…..ouch. I’ve been doing a lot of re-reads, including the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost (I think reading about some female rage and ass-kicking was very helpful in my present state of mind). I also read The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare and that was like a warm blanket in book form. When things really get serious I tend to re-read a beloved series, like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. It helps me to escape into a familiar world where really bad shit happens but it all works out mostly OK in the end.
Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier and Nora’s Carnal Innocence. Nothing alike, but they are my book lovies. I’m actually re-reading Frenchman’s Creek right now.
I am up past my bedtime reading this. My comfort reads vary from Be True to Your School: … by Bob Green to The Proud Breed by Celeste de Blasis. They also include fave children’s books like the Little House books.
Anything by Kristen Ashley…..always my go to!