Do you have one "comfort" book which you reread when you need a literary hug?

[Bonnie G.]

I think I broke my brain. I read, in succession, several very good and pretty demanding books. I started another, which is really good, and funny, but I am unable to focus at all, and find myself rereading the same chapter over and over. So I did what had to be done. I temporary shelved the delightful Americanah and began rereading Pride and Prejudice. And I am back! Joyfully moving from one chapter to the next, smiling even before I get to the good lines I know are coming up. Does anyone else have a go to book they use to rejuvenate?

[Alicia]

Harry Potter, and some of the Terry Pratchett books. Comforting and palate cleansing!

[Larisa]

Rilla of Ingleside is my go-to. It's the 8th of the Anne of Green Gables series and I read it out of "obligation" to the series in 6th grade because I didn't particularly want to focus on someone other than Anne. It ended up being my favorite of the series and also the one I re-read almost yearly. As an adult it continues to move me and while it can be sad, it's constantly that "literary hug." :)

[Bonnie G.]

Larisa wrote: "Rilla of Ingleside is my go-to. It's the 8th of the Anne of Green Gables series and I read it out of "obligation" to the series in 6th grade because I didn't particularly want to focu..."

I didn't even know this book existed! Maybe time to go read some LM Montgomery as well?

[Larisa]

Bonnie wrote: "Larisa wrote: "Rilla of Ingleside is my go-to. It's the 8th of the Anne of Green Gables series and I read it out of "obligation" to the series in 6th grade because I didn't particular..."

Bonnie, would love to know how you like it! With the centennial of the outbreak of the First World War, it's been a more poignant read the last few times.

[Bonnie G.]

Larisa wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "Larisa wrote: "Rilla of Ingleside is my go-to. It's the 8th of the Anne of Green Gables series and I read it out of "obligation" to the series in 6th grade because I di..."

I will put it on my list!

[Martha]

Oh man, parts of Rilla of Ingleside are so sad that I can barely even bear to re-read it. Whenever I do my Anne rereads I usually just do the first three in the series, since they work well as a standalone plus #3 is my favorite plus it's less of a time commitment. I haven't read 4-8 in probably at least seven or eight years now. I should do that.

Anyway the first three Anne of Green Gables books are def on my list, plus Harry Potter (OF COURSE), plus Ella Enchanted, plus loads of Diana Wynne Jones' books (esp her Chronicles of Chrestomanci), plus my favorite books of all time: Lloyd Alexander's Chronicles of Prydain (though the last one makes me sob so much it's almost not that comforting).

I just realized my entire list is comprised of children's books, but I'm a children's librarian so this feels appropriate. Plus, I'm a big believer in the books you read in childhood having the biggest impact on you, so...

[Jen]

I love the Green Gables books too, especially books 1 & 3. Also, anything Jane Austen, The Blue Castle, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and The Time Traveler's Wife.

[Alicia]

@Martha I totally agree about Chrestomanci! Also on my comfort list.

[Katie]

When my brain is broken I tend to turn to romance novels, particularly Nora Roberts. It works as a great reset button.

[Carol]

Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton. I find it incredibly soothing.

[Sarah]

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn has been a favorite comfort book for both my sister and me for a long time.

[Lainie]

Hmmm I haven't re-read anything in a while but it used to be Catcher in the Rye. Just gives you the hunger to read more great writing. I've never read Anne of GG and now I must!

And always Gilmore Girls...oh wait you weren't talking about tv :)

[Bonnie G.]

Lainie wrote: "Hmmm I haven't re-read anything in a while but it used to be Catcher in the Rye. Just gives you the hunger to read more great writing. I've never read Anne of GG and now I must!

And always Gilmore..."

Oh, Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars get lots of play here. Trust. I am also soothed by binge-watching Chopped.

I am not a big re-reader myself. I made the mistake of trying to re-read Catcher in the Rye last year. I stopped midway because it was destroying the love I have for that book. The only things I find myself occasionally returning to are various Jane Austen, David Sedaris, Somerset Maugham, David Foster Wallace, and F. Scott Fitzgerald along with Great Expectations, Portnoy's Complaint, and assorted light romances.

[Lisa]

I've got a few books that I read when I'm sick or I'm blue and just need to wallow in something comfortable and familiar: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Mirror by Marlys Millhiser, Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch and The Thorn Birds. And sometimes I pull a Douglas Coupland novel off the shelf. I have all of them and I've probably read each one at least three times...except for Worst Person Ever.

[Emily]

For a (very) quick, literary hug I always go back to my childhood favorite, Eloise. Guaranteed smile in a matter of minutes.

[Claire-Dee]

This is such a great question. I haven't reread much in a while but in the past when I've needed to get comfy with a book, I've always reached for something by Agatha Christie. She does the trick. Reading while drinking tea and dunking some cookies helps, too.

[Fiona]

Emily wrote: "For a (very) quick, literary hug I always go back to my childhood favorite, Eloise. Guaranteed smile in a matter of minutes."
I was enjoying this post, seeing what everyone was choosing and didn't think I had a book for a comfort hug. But after seeing the childhood favourite, I realised mine is Matilda! That is the only book I can re-read (or actually a comedy book 'Are you Dave Gorman?' by Dave Gorman, as it makes me laugh every time).

[Meg]

Jonathan Stroud's Bartimaeus Trilogy and his "The Ring of Solomon" can get me out of a funk every single time. Ursula K. LeGuin's Earthsea Trilogy (A Wizard of Earthsea is book 1). Anything by Molly Gloss. And I echo some of you above with Terry Pratchett, especially The Truth (newspapers!) and Interesting Times (general hilarity and chaos). Also agree with Diana Wynne Jones and Lloyd Alexander. And then for sheer total brain candy, Susan Elizabeth Phillips' sports romances are perfect.

[Rowynn]

I have read Make Way For Lucia I don't know how many times. It's a compendium of all the EF Benson Lucia books, all in one...delightfully thick and substantial. Days of good reading inside. I would estimate I've read it at least 7 or 8 times.

[Abby]

For pure enjoyment and a break I re-read several Nora Roberts series or memoirs by Jen Lancaster. Sometimes I just can't drop another $10 on a book so I go back and re-read my favorites for awhile. I have read several books at least five times.

[Danielle]

I often go to Robin McKinley's 'Beauty' or our future book club read 'The Princess Bride.' The only books I buy are ones I would reread, so I guess I have more than just those two for comfort. Harry Potter, Jennifer Weiner, Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series, some Fannie Flagg, Jennifer Crusie, 'Carter Beats the Devil', Kate Atkinson, Rainbow Rowell, Bernard Cornwell's Arthur trilogy. This makes it sound like I have so much time to reread, ha ha. Oh time...

[Sara]

Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, and A Wrinkle in Time are my choices, in that order. The Lord of the Rings has some of the same feel but is a longer investment.

[Sandra]

I have a children's abridged version of Little Women with these great illustrations by Julian Paul. For ultimate comforting, read with peanut butter sandwich cookies and milk.

[Lora]

Pride and Prejudice for me too!

[Tawnia]

Love this question! I love rereading the Stephanie Plum books or Bergdorf Blondes and The Debutante Divorcee. The characters feel like old friends and transport me out of the midwest for a few hours,

[Pamela]

Larisa wrote: "Rilla of Ingleside is my go-to. It's the 8th of the Anne of Green Gables series and I read it out of "obligation" to the series in 6th grade because I didn't particularly want to focu..."

I'm on that bandwagon! Any Anne of Green Gables book is comfort book (I also have issues of becoming friends with people who said they hated those books). There's something about Anne that some part of her story always is perfect for wherever you are. I just ordered Blue Castles on Amazon- 99-cents, well worth the gamble!

My other comfort book is Brideshead Revisited. It's such beautiful writing and story, I love constantly returning to it.

[Margaret]

Georgette Heyer is my comfort read--especially The Grand Sophy and Frederica.

[Maureen]

Some of you have mentioned a couple of mine - Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion. I'd also add The Hobbit and any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes: The Hound of the Baskervilles if I want to make a longer time commitment than the shorter stories.

[Lauren]

I love Maeve Binchy books when I need a literary hug. The English Class and The Copper Beech are two of my favorites, but I could go back to any of them really.

[Alicia]

@Lauren - that reminds me, Rosamund Pilcher is another comforting one for me!

[Lauren]

@Alicia totally! I read the Shell Seekers not too long ago, and I loved it!

[Alicia]

I like The Shell Seekers but and are my particular favourites.

[Miz]

I find that anything by Kristin Hannah and Diane Chamberlain are great for any reading lulls - strong female characters :)

[jamie]

The Westing Game. It reminds me of being curled up on the couch, reading on a rainy day after school. Any and all Beverly Cleary books, too.

[Larisa]

jamie wrote: "The Westing Game. It reminds me of being curled up on the couch, reading on a rainy day after school. Any and all Beverly Cleary books, too."

Oh yes, Beverly Cleary! I picked up Ramona Quimby, Age 8 the other day just to read something different to my daughter and I couldn't put it down. I'd forgotten how much I loved that whole series.

[Joanie]

Sing A Pretty Song: The "Offbeat" Life Of Edie Adams, Including The Ernie Kovacs Years I often re-read Sing a Pretty Song, the story of the life of Edie Adams when I need a little comfort. After her Ernie died, she was left with three kids and enormous debt. And she made her way out of those dark times in the most incredible way. If you can ever find a copy of the book, GET IT! So much info on early TV, fashion, costumers, keeping your head up when all signs seem to point to ducking, etc. It's my wooby.

[Sophie]

jamie wrote: "The Westing Game. It reminds me of being curled up on the couch, reading on a rainy day after school. Any and all Beverly Cleary books, too."

The Westing Game is SO GOOD. I feel like it gets better every time I read it.

When I need a break from "heavy" books that require a lot of brainpower, I often reach for Meg Cabot. Her books are always light, fluffy, funny, and smart.

[Kim]

hmm nThere are several I'll reread just sections of and others I'll reread all the way through. The Outlander series, Harry Potter, the Sorcery & Cecelia series by Patricia Wrede & Caroline Stevermer, the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde, anything Agatha Christie, Island of Ghosts by Gillian Bradshaw......Okay, I can't pick just one. There are just so many good books to revisit, especially if you're in a reading slump.

[Mary]

The Little House books, Garden Spells, Harry Potter, some teen novels I shouldn't admit to.
All while the Gilmore Girls play on repeat...over and over again.

[Bonnie G.]

Mary wrote: "The Little House books, Garden Spells, Harry Potter, some teen novels I shouldn't admit to.
All while the Gilmore Girls play on repeat...over and over again."

Oh Gilmore Girls is definitely on the feed for times I need rejuvenation! It has a place of honor beside Veronica Mars, My So Called Life, and rewatches of Legally Blonde, My Cousin Vinny, Clueless, Heathers, and The Breakfast Club.

[Lara]

I have a couple, depending on the type of literary hug I need! I may go for Persuasion (my go-to Austen favorite), or, if it's a general sort of hug needed, it's Pomp and Circumstance by Noel Coward. Total goofiness that I revel in. I'm sure I'm forgetting some, but those are what's come to mind.

Also, to Bonnie and Mary...I'd add Moonstruck to that movie list.

[Katie]

Mary wrote: "The Little House books, Garden Spells, Harry Potter, some teen novels I shouldn't admit to.
All while the Gilmore Girls play on repeat...over and over again."
So much GG, I also think I'll be adding Hart of Dixie to that list, since BlueBell and Stars Hollow share a lot of emotional DNA.

[Bonnie G.]

Lara wrote: "I have a couple, depending on the type of literary hug I need! I may go for Persuasion (my go-to Austen favorite), or, if it's a general sort of hug needed, it's Pomp and Circumstance by Noel Cowa..."

I love Moonstruck and will add it to the rotation. I have a personal connection to that film. I was dating (well..."dating") a guy who lived on the street where they filmed Cher walking home from Nicky's house. We watched her stroll down that street from his bedroom window like 50 times. It was really fun, and since they filmed late they weren't much in our way, other than the insanely bright lights when trying to sleep. I miss Brooklyn!

[Lara]

I'm in Brooklyn! And only a few blocks away from Brooklyn Heights to boot. I always think about the scene where the grandfather has all the dogs, trying to get them to howl at the moon. La Bella Luna.

[Bonnie G.]

Lara wrote: "I'm in Brooklyn! And only a few blocks away from Brooklyn Heights to boot. I always think about the scene where the grandfather has all the dogs, trying to get them to howl at the moon. La Bella ..."

That scene was filmed in the same place, a block down. Jealous that you are in my old stomping grounds. I adored Brooklyn for the 7 years I was there. I lived in Boerum Hill when it was dangerous (seriously, I lived on Wyckoff St. on the block between the Wyckoff Gardens and the Gowanus projects. I moved when there was a gun fight in front of my house.) then I lived on Windsor Place in Windsor Terrace (right by Prospect Park SW), which I think they have turned into Park Slope.

[Gracebaldwin]

Gilmore Girls viewing FTW!

As far as books go, I Capture the Castle (Dodie Smith), Red Sky at Morning (Richard Bradford) and The Secret History (Donna Tartt) all come to mind. I know The Secret History seems like a strange comfort book, but it's comforting in the "hey, at least my life's not THAT screwed up" way. Oh, and the funniest book ever - Life Among the Savages, by Shirley Jackson (yes, that Shirley Jackson) never fails to make me laugh out loud. I gave a copy of it to a friend who was undergoing some very unpleasant medical treatments; she took it with her to read during the treatments and all the nurses wanted to know what was making her crack up laughing.

[Abigail]

I'm rewatching Gilmore Girls right now! Luke and Lorelai's first kiss is THE best kiss on television (though Tessa and Ryan from Subergatory are a close second).

My comfort reads are Pride and Prejudice and Outlander. <3

[Bonnie G.]

Abigail wrote: "I'm rewatching Gilmore Girls right now! Luke and Lorelai's first kiss is THE best kiss on television (though Tessa and Ryan from Subergatory are a close second).

My comfort reads are Pride and Pr..."

My favorite TV first kiss is still Logan and Veronica. The look on Logan's face....swoon. (yes, I am far too old to be writing this.) But, Luke and Lorelai come close.

[Abigail]

Bonnie, is that from Veronica Mars (which is on my TBW list)?