I recently posted on Instagram that after reading George Orwell's rather chilling yet devastating classic Nineteen Eighty-Four I retreated back to Agatha Christie for some comfort reading. There were a few comments from fellow readers about the authors or series that they classify as 'comfort reading.'
What is it about certain books that whisk us away to a place of comfort and familiarity? Why do we return to these books time and again; whether it be during times of hardship, adversity, loneliness or general need to escape?
For me, I particularly like books where the characters maintain a positive and courageous outlook whilst facing adversity. This, in turn, brings me comfort and as all classics tend to do, remind me that many have suffered before and it all depends on how we face this suffering. My comfort reads are not usually heavy, intense reads, but rather ones that relax my mind and uplift my mood.
Here is a list of some of my favourite comfort reads:
Little Women - Louisa May Alcott
Nothing uplifts and promotes a good spirit in the face of hardship than Louisa May Alcott's classic novel. If you haven't read it, please don't be fooled in thinking that the girls in the story are always happy and cheerful, despite their somewhat poor circumstances. Oh no! They moan and complain and quite often despair. But the beauty is how they turn this around. How they focus on others and not on themselves. And most importantly how they realise that all that moaning doesn't actually help.
This one became a comfort read for me this winter when the cold weather (well, Australian cold at least!) began to drag on. Reading this book, reminded me of all the comforts we have in our modern home and how thankful I should be to endure a winter surrounded by heating, well-stocked freezers and pantry, abundant supply of light, warm clothing and plenty of blankets and throw rugs. Ma's optimistic attitude, for me, is something to aspire towards.
Anything - Agatha Christie
These are the escapist books I was talking about earlier. I love a "rollicking, good adventure," as they say, and Christie's books never fail to transport me out of my current world with its worries and into one of adventure, mystery and intrigue. Some of my favourites include those with Tommy and Tuppence, in particular The Secret Adversary, which is jam-packed with suspense and action. I also love Tuppence's positive attitude towards life, despite her meagre earnings and surroundings. After a particularly hard or laborious classic read, I love to return to Christie's books for a quite trip of escapism. Luckily, I still have quite a few on bookshelf waiting to be read!
Emma - Jane Austen
Although I haven't finished reading this one yet, it is already becoming a fast favourite. I love the wit and the relationships developed in this book! It takes me to a lovely, Victorian world where all the world's worries were within a 16 mile distance! How lovely to not have to worry about things on the other side of the world! How lovely to be caught up in one's immediate community and want only to bring love and joy to the world! Although this isn't necessarily how I live, it's a nice way to escape for a while.
Are you beginning to see a theme here? My idea of comfort books are definitely those that inspire me to change my attitude towards how I look at life. The classics are wonderful for this.
Do you have any comfort books? Ones that might transport you from your current woes, or else help you change the way you look at said woes? Let me know in the comments.
Kirsty x
Comments
Post a Comment