Recommended reading for when your life turns into a country blues song?

[Damien]

Hey all. I haven't really been on here for a month. I went from a truly awesome 2014 to the worst January of my life. Events included the death of my grandmother for which I had to fly back east, a computer system crash that destroyed so much data I'm still not sure what is missing, and now my dog has cancer and about a month or two left in his life. I haven't been able to read anything at all to help take my mind off things, and the few attempts I've made at writing have all ended up far too maudlin.

So what's a good thing to read to inject some color back into life? What can help counter the tides of depression? I've read Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchet so many times in my life that they don't exactly pack the same punch when you need it most. Something that grabs the reader by the throat and takes them somewhere else is what is called for. It doesn't have to be fantasy, but I am most definitely not in the mood for Oprah Drama, (which rules out things like Song of Ice and Fire, and Wheel of Time).

-Damien Lake (Chronicles of the Crimson Kings)

[Trike]

I feel your pain.

I am currently traveling due to a death in the family. There's extra family drama that I can't avoid which has nothing to do with that. I dropped and lost my brand-new coat and gloves at the airport. Someone hacked my credit card so I've had to borrow money to buy things (like a new coat) until the bank can send me a new one. Delta has now told me three times that my reservation has not gone through despite three separate service representatives assuring me that it had.

On top of that, my most wonderful dog (photo in profile) died in my arms on New Year's Eve, struggling for breath as his heart failed him. This was the capper to a genuinely shitty 2014, and this year is looking like it will be twice as bad.

Mostly I've been avoiding books with titles like, "Climb A Tower And Become A Sniper" or "101 Easy Ways to Kill Yourself."

I find I'm reading the same paragraph in the current book over and over again without making any progress.

Lashing out at people online for no reason hasn't been satisfying, either.

[Sarah]

I'll take a stab at it (without being rude). Under circumstances like this I tend to go with old favorites. I'm a huge Dean Koontz fan so I would probably start reading a bunch of his. Also, classics would be helpful. Something long and wordy that you can really sink into. Flashy stuff only works for so long which is why I would choose these.

Do you have any really interesting series that you might be interested in? The Mistborn: The Final Empire series would actually be a really great distraction because the world building is so intense. I'm suggesting a series because then you don't have to think about what to read next. So if there's a 9 book series you've wanted to read, you could try that?

I know those aren't really specific books but I thought my thinking process might help. Good luck and I hope things turn around soon.

[Kyra]

I think I'd suggest Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone (a duology) by Carol Berg. It's one of my favorite series, and here's why I would turn to it if life got really bad: For one thing, the prose is gorgeous, rich and beautiful but also very comfortable to read; I can really lose myself in it. The world is complex, richly detailed, and original. But mostly I'd recommend it for the main character, Valen. His life is awful, but he never gives up, and has such a genuinely good-hearted spirit about him (even when he's thieving and conning) that I can't help but be inspired by his outlook and determination.

Hope things get better for you, and for Trike too.

[Cheryl]

Different people have different needs, so please forgive my suggestions even if they seem wrong to you.

You could try some children's adventure and fantasy books. The ones aimed at MG, about ages 9-12, are often life-affirming, because the protag is growing up and developing sensitivity to the challenges of the adult world, and so the author often puts him or her into an adventure where s/he has to find an inner strength. Gary Paulsen and Diana Wynne Jones are classic examples, but there are more.

I know you said you didn't want Oprah drama, but for some, a smaller, quieter version of that vibe is very helpful. The MG stories by Kevin Henkes, especially Sun & Spoon, and the historical fiction by Karen Hesse, can be both cathartic and inspirational.

You might also want to read funny memoirs. I'm thinking of a book I've not read yet, but was in a box of donations given to me. Even though I don't watch tv or movies or give a damn about celebrities, the blurb of I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend by Martin Short intrigues me and seems like it would be a good read when I'm feeling challenged.

[Philip]

Mr Pye by Mervyn Peake, the author of Titus Groan, Gormenghast and Titus Alone might cheer you up.

[Tessa]

Damien wrote: "Hey all. I haven't really been on here for a month. I went from a truly awesome 2014 to the worst January of my life. Events included the death of my grandmother for which I had to fly back east..."
Sorry you're having a tough time! If you haven't read Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series, that might cheer you up. They make me laugh out loud.

When I get really down, I read James Herriott's stories beginning with All creatures great and small. They are so funny and heart-warming.

Hope something here helps!

[Tessa]

Trike wrote: "I feel your pain.

I am currently traveling due to a death in the family. There's extra family drama that I can't avoid which has nothing to do with that. I dropped and lost my brand-new coat and g..."

I would recommend the same ones to you as to Damien, but, for both of you, I might add John Scalzi's books--somehow they have humor as well as sci-fi.

[Margaret]

I know when I'm emotionally distressed, what helps me get away from it all is nonfiction -- something that engages the intellect without triggering the emotions. What kind of nonfiction you like to read will depend a lot on what your interests are. Popular science springs to mind, considering that this is the SF and fantasy list. Or something like Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid, which intersperses light-hearted dialogues with mind-bending speculation.

[Jen]

I'm sorry that you and Trike are having such a tough time right now.

I often read Christopher Moore when I want to get away from my life for a bit. It's not technically sf, but there are usually some not quite real world things going on. I'd recommend Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal or The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror.

Also non sf, but a lot of fun and very involving is George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman series.

[Robyn]

I often find rereading books from young adulthood happy-making during times of stress. Personally, I turn to books by Tamora Pierce - I will probably always love the Song of the Lioness quartet, and it holds up well.

I think urban fantasy can work well for that, too - I've been catching up with the Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch lately. Easy to get sucked in to, enough humour to keep it light, and creative.

ETA: I have a hard time concentrating during periods like this, so I'm mainly suggesting light and fluffy - brain candy, if you will!

My condolences for the loss of both of your family members (human and four-legged). I hope things get better soon.

[Nicholas]

anything by P.G. Wodehouse. No, it's not fantasy, but nothing gets me out of the blues like reading about the adventures of dimwitted English lords with absurdly intelligent butlers.

[Tasula]

Dear Damien and Trike, so very sorry to hear about your troubles and especially your poor doggies.

I second the suggestion about Christopher Moore, although besides the more serious Lamb, my favorites are The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove Island of the Sequined Love Nun and The Stupidest Angel: A Heartwarming Tale of Christmas Terror- all of which make me laugh out loud.

For something more serious but very uplifting (surprisingly, since it's a zombie book), try Raising Stony Mayhall

Absolutely hilarious tale of the three wise men and baby Jesus Unholy Night- also uplifting.

Political satire Boomsday

fascinating SF/fantasy The Windup Girl

Or if you want to start a fabulous SF series about children turned into time traveling cyborgs- In the Garden of Iden- the first few books aren't too cheery, but the series gets better and better.

For a thoughtful, literate series based on Sherlock Holmes, try The Beekeeper's Apprentice- Sherlock takes on a young female apprentice- Mary Russell.

Hope the sadness goes away.

[Cheryl]

Margaret, non-fiction, yes - I'll have to remember that next time I need a break from life's challenges. Goodness knows I have enough on my to-read lists!

[Kyra]

Nicholas wrote: "anything by P.G. Wodehouse. No, it's not fantasy, but nothing gets me out of the blues like reading about the adventures of dimwitted English lords with absurdly intelligent butlers."

That's a great idea! love Wodehouse :-)

[Trike]

Margaret wrote: "I know when I'm emotionally distressed, what helps me get away from it all is nonfiction -- something that engages the intellect without triggering the emotions. What kind of nonfiction you like t..."

This is a great suggestion, one that I must have instinctively known (or I got your future ESP).

Bookstores and libraries are a refuge for me, and when I got a chance to go to the bookstore I spent almost all my time in the science and travel sections. (The latter because I wanted to be anywhere else, I'm sure.) I ended up buying The Age of Radiance: The Epic Rise and Dramatic Fall of the Atomic Era and Unscientific America: How Scientific Illiteracy Threatens our Future.

[Trike]

Nicholas wrote: "anything by P.G. Wodehouse. No, it's not fantasy, but nothing gets me out of the blues like reading about the adventures of dimwitted English lords with absurdly intelligent butlers."

"What ho, Glossops all!"

[Tessa]

Oooo, if we're talking nonfiction, Mary Roach is hysterical! I loved Stiff. And travel! Bill Bryson, of course. I laughed until the tears ran over his Australian adventure, sometimes titled In a Sunburned Country. My favorite sleep aid is a geography book with gorgeous pics--sends me right off with calm, totally dull details.

[Damien]

Thank you so much, all! A box from Amazon should be arriving tomorrow with a few books for me. I'd forgotten to check out other books written by Carol Berg, since I have enjoyed some of her stories in the past. I also am going to give Jim Butcher a try at last, since I seem to be seeing Harry Dresden memes all over the internet lately. I've made a note of several other of your recommendations, but I'll start with those, curled up on the couch with my dear canine companion next to me. You only need one hand to hold a book, after all.

-Damien Lake (Chronicles of the Crimson Kings)

[Tessa]

Yes, by all means, the Pizza Lord Harry Dresden! I just re-read the first six.

[Ruth]

Christopher Moore or Carl Hiaasen. I read them when I feel down because they make me laugh out loud. I'd also recommend Bill Bryson A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail Very funny.

[Gav451]

The unexpected Pilgrimage of Harold Fry makes you look at life differently. Both dad and life affirming.

Otherwise I like to lose myself in the simple pleasures of Bloom County and Calvin and Hobbes.

To keep the group theme my comfort Sci Fi and Fantasy is The Belgariad and almost any Space Opera.

[Julia]

Damien and Trike,

I hope Harry Dresden helps, I think he will.

Cheryl recommended Martin Short's I Must Say: My Life as a Humble Comedy Legend. It looks like fun, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed Yes Please by Amy Poehler and Cary Elwes' As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride.

Other than those, and Harry Dresden I recommend the Vorkosigan series by Lois McMaster Bujold, which starts with The Warrior's Apprentice or Test of Honor (Omnibus: Shards of Honor \ The Warrior's Apprentice), Shards of Honour, or Cordelia's Honordepending on what you can get hold of.

[Silvana]

Sorry to hear that. Gentleman Bastards series from Scott Lynch are fun and uplifting and if you do not mind reading YA fantasy The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud is a hoot (at least for me).

[Janny]

Some of my favorites to lighten up are the Liaden series by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller.

And a space opera series - the Merrimack - too little known, that pokes enormous fun at military politics - with fabulously over the top characters and sharp action, written by R. M. Meluch

[Mary]

I usually opt for YA if not kid's books. They are, among other things, easier to read at a time when it may be difficult to work up the energy.

In particular, The 13 Clocks by James Thurber

[Don]

strangely, three books that truly caught me of guard with their goodness also had female protagonists 1) the girl with all the gifts 2) the reapers are the angels 3) this alien shore 4) swans song.... for good measure.

[Trike]

Currently in the emergency room with another dog who collapsed due to her heart issues, the same kind that killed Chino.

And the hits just keep on comin'.

[Tessa]

So sorry, Trike.

[Trike]

Angel, currently behind the big red door.

(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

Cutie!

[Robyn]

Trike, your dogs are so sweet and beautiful and I am sorry you're going through this. May she come out from behind the red door and have more years of happiness with you.

[Trike]

Nina wrote: "For a book that grips you and won't let go: any of the series by Hugh Howey. The Silo series, in which all mankind that survives nuclear war live in an underground silo. Written so well that I coul..."

Really good books, but not the best idea if you're down. Not exactly feel-good stories.

Are there any books that are just FUN? Not humorous, because that's a personal thing, but light adventure stuff? Big Trouble in Little China kind of stuff.

[Julia]

Recent: Trigger Warning: Short Fictions and Disturbances by Neil Gaiman. It's fun, mostly.

[Gav451]

Neil Gaiman 'The Anansi Boys' is pure and simple fun. Not deep but a fine story too. Humour is always just below the surface.

There's a great book called 'Cant be arsed' which takes all those bucket lists and discusses how they are stupid ideas suggested by irritants. Its a series of short, funny and pithy essays.

For High adventure and page turning try The Gap Series, the Dresden files or almost any David Gemmel book.

[Mary]

Trike wrote: "Are there any books that are just FUN? Not humorous, because that's a personal thing, but light adventure stuff?"

Hmm. Scout's Honor by Henry Vogel opted for planetary romance.

Older works in that vein include Andre Norton's Ice Crown and Catseye (which I think are in print only in omnibuses), and Poul Anderson's The Man Who Counts and a fair chunk of his other SF.

[Grace]

Gypsy Rizka, The Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha, or pretty much anything else by Lloyd Alexander. He's got just the right mix of utter silliness and the good kind of thoughtfulness that gets your mind off things. Howard Pyle's version of Robin Hood is awesome. And The Man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton is also quite amazing for lifting spirits and getting out of the world for a while :]

[Peggy]

I start re-reading books at that point, because I want something I know I'll like. I have a special bookshelf beside my bed with all of my very favorite books. The other benefit is that I don't need to stay up all night reading, because I already know how it ends, and I know what happens next.