Time again for one of the most challenging recommendation features we have: READY, SET, GO!
Here are the rules:
We pick a specific sub-genre, trope, or type of romance, and we have to make ONE recommendation for that type.
And no more than two sentences as to why.
Just One.
And our theme this month?
The doomy-est scrolly-est days of hellscape in the US are next week, and I’m sending all of you virtual comfort and strength and compassion. This time, we’re building an essential list: your one (1) In Case Of Emergency Break Glass and Read This Romance recommendation.
We’ve talked about books like these before, but it seems extremely necessary right now.
We’re looking for your MOST POWERFUL Emergency Comfort Reads, the romances that never fail to help you out, books that are So Good they are your First Aid kit romances.
What “In Case Of Emergency, Read This” Romance would you recommend?
Any genre, but just one rec!
Ready, set, GO!
Sarah: I carry a few books on my Kindle at all times for this category alone. I have had a few book emergencies this year.
For this one, I’m going for The Unleashing, Shelly Laurenston, Crows 1. I know, I know: I talk about this trilogy a LOT.
But anger, rage, revenge, women being reborn into powerful, vicious second lives with freedom and access to power…Yes, please. I can escape into that world any time.
Lara: Tessa Dare’s A Week to be Wicked. It has never failed me in an emergency, ever.
Sarah: SUCH a good choice. Dare’s books are very much in the “In Case of Emergency Break Glass And Read This” category.
Elyse: I have to go with Alyssa Cole’s A Prince on Paper, which has the sweetest hero ever
But I also reread a lot of Edith Layton when I’m feeling down. To Wed a Stranger is one of my favs.
Claudia: It’s re-read time around here as well. I went back to some of my favorite Meredith Duran books. I second Lara’s choice (it never fails to make me laugh out loud) and on the same vein I’m going to go with a Mary Balogh book from way back: The Famous Heroine.
It’s probably her funniest book and a friends-to-lovers and fish-out-of-water mix. It’s a child of the 90s, though.
And speaking of her old books: I recently found out that she has a Halloween-themed novella compilation, No Ordinary Love, available through Hoopla for me.
Tara: Depending on what’s going on for me, I need something that’s either incredibly fluffy or highly immersive. So when I want something fluffy, I reach for Chelsea M. Cameron. I’m actually rereading her book Didn’t Stay in Vegas right now for that reason.
And if I’m looking for something immersive, I go back to the greatest Devil Wears Prada fanfic of all time, Truth and Measure by Telanu. It’s 270k+ words, the character work is spot on, the chemistry is amazing, and I just love it so much.
Shana: I have to agree with the above fanfic recommendation. I read it based on Tara’s suggestion during a previous Tough Time and it worked.
Shana: I’m struggling with narrowing this down to one book.
I know I often suggest Better Off Red by Rebekah Weatherspoon for pretty much everything, but I strongly believe there’s nothing that lesbian vampire sorority girls won’t solve.
Shana: However, Talia Hibbert is my first stop for cozy comfort, because her heroes are really into caretaking. Get a Life, Chloe Brown is basically a Snuggie in book form.
Catherine: Hmm. Not a romance, but the Penric and Desdemona novellas really work for me – they have so much kindness and humour in them, and they are short enough for a stressed out attention span.
For romances, I am very predictable! Lucy Parker is an author who can hold my attention nineteen hours into an international flight, so she is a solid winner here. And Laura Florand writes the holiday in France that you can still have when France is…20-something hours away on that same international flight.
Sarah: Gotta narrow it down to one!
In a pinch I will accept two, because this is hard, but no more than that.
Catherine: Penric it is!
Sarah: And there’s a new one??!! Yay! That was almost my choice!
Catherine: There is, and I am just about to willfully join the Bad Decisions Book Club in order to read it tonight. Which is after midnight already.
Catherine, two hours later: Reporting in from the Bad Decisions Book Club to strongly recommend Masquerade in Lodi. A total delight.
Ellen: I am not much of a re-reader anymore (it gives me too much anxiety about all the books I haven’t read yet!) but I’ll answer this from the perspective of books that really brought me incredible comfort and joy during difficult times.
So for that I will pick The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia McKillip ( A | BN | K | AB ).
It’s a fantasy primarily but it has a strong romantic subplot and it’s just really beautiful and moving. I remember finishing it in a coffee shop in college ugly-crying.
Actually, this is making me want to re-read it.
Amanda: For comfort reading, I imagine just putting on an audiobook and lying in bed with everything in reach. This idea is brought to you by my period and heating pad.
My overall choice is the Maiden Lane series (so many hours to nest in bed!) because the narrator is just SO GOOD. I do have a soft spot for Scandalous Desires because of Charming Mickey.
Sneezy: My pick would be A Touch of Stone and Snow by Milla Vane.
A giant fluffy cat will love you, ask and give cuddles, chomp your enemies to bits, go on world saving adventures with you – need I go on? Even though there’s suicidal ideation in this book, I feel like it’s handled well and the overall book is imbued with so much hope.
And I need hope, rather desperately.
Ok, what about you?
What one romance do you recommend for Emergency Reading Situations?
What’s your go-to Comfort Read/First Ad romance?
Ready, set, go!
@LN : please, don’t set your expectations too high (>_<) Objectively, HEROES & GHOSTS is not that good a book, it just plays to my own personal catnip.
VORPATRIL'S ALLIANCE may be my third Bujold's favorite, mainly because we finally get Ivan in all his splendor, not to mention Simon is back in form. And of course the sinking of ImpSec, and the debriefing scene that followed… XD. (Though it's high on my list, Paladin Of Souls is not in my top favs. I think its because of Arhys' arc, I wish it may have ended differently…)
So, we're reading twins? 😉 I'd love to have some of your recommendations then!
And now that I can get a comment through incognito (though it’s not showing up when I post non-incognito and I keep getting Cloudflare errors!)
Anything by Jackie Lau or Sarah Title!
SO MANY BOOKS! I am going to have to save this thread, and look up everything that appeals!
For me: BETTY NEELS. ultimate comfort read. Also Heyer. Thrush Green series by Miss Read.
@Saby, Julia Quinn’s Just Like Heaven is the only Julia Quinn book on my keeper shelf, and I’ve reread it many times. You’re tempting me to reread it now!
@Arijo, I’m another fan of Patricia Briggs’ story about Ben; I might also need to reread this!
Such a great thread!! I’ve already maxed out my library checkouts with all the recommendations! I would say my all time comfort reads are…
The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart-I read this book a very, very long time ago, and it started my love of Arthurian legend AND Mary Stewart. I’ve probably read this book a 100 times over the years, and I guess that is the comfort part for me-like visiting a very old friend. I love the theme of duty and honor, and working for the greater good.
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher-I adore the main character Penelope Keeling, and will often think in stressful situations, “what would Penelope do?”. Pilcher reminds me of Jane Austen in the way she could set a scene.
Persuasion by Jane Austen-My favorite Austen novel, it is so poignant and romantic-a great tale of second chance love.
I posted a comment, and got an error message-I hope I don’t end up repeating myself!
Great thread, and I’ve already maxed out my library checkout with recommendations! My all time favorite comfort reads are…
The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart-I first read this book many, many years ago and thus started my love of Arthurian legend and Mary Stewart. The story of Merlin, or as he is called in the book-Emrys. I love the themes of duty, honor and the greater good. I’m sure I’ve read this book at least 100 times, and that is why it must be such a comfort read for me, like visiting an old friend.
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher- I adore the main character Penelope Keeling and still think in stressful situations “what would Penelope do?”. Pilcher reminds me of Austen in the way she could set a scene. Lovely book!
Persuasion by Jane Austen-my favorite Austen novel. I find it poignant and very romantic, a great novel of second chance love.
Oh wow I was right. Reading the comments is fun!
@Rebecca, post 24: Fruits Basket Another vol 1 & 2 are eyeing me from my manga tbr list. But I want to reread the first series first, and I can’t find it in my 100+ boxes of books (we moved 9 years ago and nope, the library shelves are not up yet T__T). Fruits Basket is a really good series and it holds together so very well. But my favourite shôjo series, hands down, is FROM FAR AWAY by Kyoko Hikawa. I like how the fish-out-of-water aspect plays out (no, she doesn’t instantly speak the langage; she learns it, painstakingly) and the Beast in the hero. Overall, Hikawa’s storytelling and art has such a sweet feel, I find it very comforting.
@Carrie G, post 51: Linnea Sinclair! For me, it’s AN ACCIDENTAL GODDESS, I reread it once every 2 or 3 years. I love Mak, he is so upright, earnest, rigorous and vulnerable. I could gobble him up.
@Hopefulpuffin, post 65 (and Karin, post 85): I thought of mentionning Betty Neels, with her large Dutch doctors with heavy lidded eyes, and her pots of tea. For me, they define cozy. (The reason I ultimately didn’t is because her books are pretty much interchangeable and I couldn’t think of one title in particular. I also haven’t picked a book by her in some years, but I do have an old Word document somewhere with my favorite quotes – she often has a wry humour.)
@Christie, post 80: Touch Not the Cat was my first Mary Stewart, and on reflex, I’ll say it’s my favorite too… but only if I’m not given time to think about it and name the 5 or 6 runners-up instead!
(Due to this Rec League I bought 5 new books today – FIVE! And at full price too! I also have two open pages to Archives of Our Own – thanks for the links KatieM and spinster.revival; I’ve already started the Sherlock cloned baby fanfic ^_^ )
Oh man. I’ve requested so many books from the library from this thread.
My “this is hard and I’m doing it anyway” book is Suffragette Scandal.
For “I lack the capacity for a new audiobook but want something to listen to” all the Julie James and Lucy Parker.
For escapism, Jilly Cooper is my best bet—horses and wealth and international travel—I picked one up this summer and it had bus tickets from 2002 inside.
For “this year sucks” I read all of Pippa Grant’s books that were on KU in the first lockdown – all 14 or 15 of them. They were the only thing I could focus on and finish.
Generally for distraction: weirdly, non fiction has been my best bet since the fall. Something without a plot makes it easier to put down before bed, without setting off my anxiety squirrels.
@arijo Another is really good! It arguably starts kinda of weird but definitely gets better over time.
@Arijo – “But I want to reread the first series first, and I can’t find it in my 100+ boxes of books (we moved 9 years ago and nope, the library shelves are not up yet T__T).“
I feel this so hard, it’s been 5 years for me! I keep putting off reading things because I know I have a copy somewhere but can’t find it.
My new comfort read is One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London. I expected a fun light read but it was absolutely fantastic. I’m still thinking about weeks later. it and buying copies for friends. Exactly what I needed in these times.
And I second Landline. Something Borrowed, book or movie, is also a favourite!
I am in Melbourne, Australia, so the US election does not loom as large, although we are concerned about the outcome. We have also not had the same levels of COVID-19 levels as many countries, although we are just coming out of a tough lockdown in Melbourne.
I mentioned in an earlier comment that I read Georgette Heyer for comfort. I also often reread Jennifer Crusie books.
After reading the comments here, I looked to see what I have on my kindle, and started rereading a bundle which includes Strange Bedpersons, which was written in 1994. It features a left wing ‘hippy’ heroine and a stuffed shirt conservative hero with Republican tendencies – I am not sure if that pairing would work for many now. But what really stood out was one line in which the heroine says that she is not sure if the Hero will turn out to be ‘Alan Alda or Donald Trump’!
I read Pamela Dean’s Tam Lin in times of misery. It’s one of those books I know so well that I can just sink into it.
This year, I’ve re-read the first two Cordelia Naismith books by Lois McMasters Bujold a few times, because honestly, being a liberal European living in a rural part of the US feels an awful lot like being Cordelia in early Barrayar. Every child shot dead on the news… I find the phrase ‘Barrayar eats its children’ repeating in my brain. I am very fond of my own Aral. But it’s hard to live here sometimes, and those books are a comfort to me. If I can grow up to be Cordelia, I’ll have done all right.
Aaargh! Only one??? (Deep breath) Slightly Dangerous by Mary Balogh. While you must read the Bedwyn “Slightly” books first (really, I insist!), Wulfric’s story is the pinnacle of Regency romance writing. Every time I read it I enjoy it all over again.
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day. Not for the romance particularly, though it is lovely. But because it’s a book about a woman who has been struggling and who has come to see herself as small and dowdy and boring and then learns that she is none of those things. It’s a good reminder that we don’t have to constrain ourselves to the boxes that we or others have assigned to us. Also, it’s set in the roaring 20s and what’s not fun about that?
Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day. Not for the romance particularly, although it is lovely. But because it’s a book about a woman who has been struggling and who has come to see herself as small and dowdy and boring and then learns that she is none of those things. It’s a good reminder that we don’t have to constrain ourselves to the boxes that we or others have assigned to us. Also, it’s set in the roaring 20s and what’s not fun about that?
I’ve seen a few recs for Loretta Chase, but not my two faves: Mr. Impossible and Not Quite a Lady. I can (and do) visit these characters over and over!
I also have a real soft spot for Amanda Quick. Admittedly formulaic, but hey it’s a formula that works for me! Ravished and With This Ring are my go-tos.
It might be on here already, but this seems like a good time for a Molly Harper/Amanda Ronconi audio pairing. I think I’m going to relisten to The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires, or How To Flirt with a Naked Werewolf today!
@Darlene Marshall: I feel the same! Slightly Dangerous is my favorite historical romance and Wulfric my favorite alpha duke. I have re-read the book so many times and I always feel better after reading it.
Ok my anxiety is through the roof, and it’s only noon so am reading romance of course. I forgot another one I wanted to rec:
Written on His Skin by Simone Stark — it’s a gorgeous novella with a curvy veterinarian heroine and a Cajun Army guy (sorry don’t know ranks) who fall for each other over letters, and it’s so fluffy and hot and I’ve reread it multiple times. If this woman writes any other books, I will be there.
So glad for all the recs here. Have no idea how I’ve never heard of Betty Neels, but it looks like Hoopla has a bajillion of her books so I’m set.
I’m so excited to see everyone’s faves! I’m delighted lots of folks are recommending fan fiction too. Lately I’ve been reading lots based around an anime called “Yuri on Ice” and I thought I might offer it up for those who want a fluffy distraction from the world at large. It’s relatively short and drama free and has the sweetest love story surrounded by a come back story in the ice skating world. The animation is so accurate and involves such wonderful choreography that it’s a favorite with a lot of real world ice skaters. The basic plot is Yuri, a skater who suffers from anxiety, has a terrible season and decides to pack it all in, only to wake up one day to find his idol, the top skater in the world, has arrived to coach him back to victory. It’s really funny and heartwarming and I am legit about to go binge it again to keep the election night demons at bay. It’s also got some seriously wonderful fan fiction, a lot of which is very fluffy and funny! It has been getting me through this year!
For Romance, I grab Jasmine Guillory, Alexa Martin, or the Boy Next Door Trilogy by Meg Cabot. For regular old comfort fiction reads I reach for (any) Tamora Pierce and the Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer. Memoirs I reach for Helene Hanff and David Sedaris.
It’s interesting that my go-to comfort rereads aren’t always working these days. I keep getting bored and/or stuck on the tiniest problematic bits. Squirrel brain wants new 100% wholesome content.
I usually reread the same few books in the Jeeves and Wooster series and rewatch the same few episodes of the BBC series with Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry. This week I branched out. It’s nice to return to the same characters in slightly different situations. Still, my forever favorites are Right Ho, Jeeves adapted into 2 episodes, the Hunger Strike and Brinkley Manor; Joy in the Morning, haven’t found an adaptation and not sure I want to, there’s so many perfect sentences; and the short stories in Very Good, Jeeves and the Inimitable Jeeves, many of them adapted in seasons 1 and 2. Sometimes the women’s portrayals get on my nerves, but mostly I find Bertie very relatable in his struggles against meddling relatives, and Jeeves is of course amazing. Bonus – Hugh Laurie plays the piano and sings some great jazz age songs like Minnie the Moocher.
Today I have Richard Ayoade videos playing in the background, doing his Travel Man thing. Soothing voice, very wholesome.
Avoiding all social media except for SmartBitches, Miranda Hart and Sandra Boynton.
Big fluffy hugs to all ♡ like that gif from monsters Inc with the big fluffy purple guy hugging the little toddler.
Lauren Dane’s 3 linked series: Brown Family, Hurley Boys & Delicious, because her characters actually communicate with each other.
Kylie Scott’s Stage Dive series, because Mal is hilarious, even when he’s only got a bit part.
Kristen Ashley’s pretty much anything, because all her writing is so over the top it always makes me laugh & roll my eyes.
Beth Brower’s Emma Lion novella series is full of charm and whimsy with witty dialogue as the eponymous heroine describes her life in her journals during the late 19th century in a unique/homey London neighborhood. It’s helped me a lot this year.
I love the hopefulness in Brené Brown’s Braving the Wilderness and have listened to the audiobook a few times.
My comfort rereads have changed throughout the years, but a couple I still go to are Sharon Shinn’s Archangel and Angelica. Strong romance subplot in fantasy feeling world.
Terry Pratchett has been soothing my disappointment in humanity. His writing is so funny and compassionate. I’m currently reading “Lords and Ladies” with the Witches characters, which certainly has romantic elements.
And thank you all for reminding me that good people are out there.
@Cheri you might enjoy Mark Oshiro’s Mark Reads Discworld. The videos are him reacting to the book as he reads it with no prior knowledge of it. (Also available on YouTube) The comments are a gold mine of puns, Pratchett trivia and related internet rabbit holes.
http://markreads.net/reviews/tag/lords-and-ladies/page/2/
Agatha Christie. Nalini Singh. Kelley Armstrong’s Cainsville books. Any fluffy, silly, funny paranormal.
Ellen O’Connell: Eyes of silver, eyes of gold.
Kate Johnson: Impossible things.
@spinster.revival I read Written on His Skin based on your rec and really enjoyed it. Not a fan of novellas, but I’m a sucker for the whole falling in love through letters trope so I gave it a shot and was not sorry. Thank you!
@Sunflower I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I don’t often read novellas, but I got the rec from Sarah MacLean’s rec list, and she’s never steered me wrong. Lately though I’ve been reading some romance anthologies and enjoying the shorter format for times when longer is too stressful for me.
Oh! My comfort read has to be The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn because it was my first romance novel that I read and I love both of the main characters.
The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery, (of Anne of green gables fame) it’s honestly one of my favorite books of all time.
Not truly romance though there is usually some romance in the books, but I find Dick Frances comforting. Steady heroes, daily routines (inevitable disturbed but still there), matter of fact tone to the writing, things work out in the end. I think Mr. Francis was probably a decent person and that decency shows in the books. My top three are To the Hilt, Hot Money, and 10 Lb Penalty.
@Anny–The Blue Castle delighted me in unexpected ways. I can’t look at my overgrown rose bushes without thinking about it. Thanks for the reminder, it’s time for a comfort re-read.