What books do you grab when life is kicking your butt and you need some book therapy?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I'm a comfort reader in the way that some people are comfort eaters. When I'm depressed, I usually read. I read when I'm sick, I read when life is rough. I usually exercise when I'm angry, but if I'm in the elliptical, I'll read too. I have read during some of the worst times in my life. That's why I personally believe in book therapy.

When my father died, I read about 16 books over that week and a half. It helped to keep me sane. To this day, I am a huge fan of Jodi Thomas because of reading her during one of the toughest times in my life.

What authors and books do you turn to when life gets rough and you need an escape?

[[deleted user]]

Lady D... I read the Twilight books when my mom passed away in 2008

That was it I was hooked on all romance with HEA's

I will check out Jodi Thomas... I have one of her books on my nook....

[Katya]

I am the opposite of you Danielle...When I am stressed or unhappy, I find it very difficult to concentrate on a story. My own story is playing inside my head. But I tend to do the most reading during the most happiest of times....like holidays...for some reason, I get more reading done when it is a holiday! or vacation.

But to answer your question, when I feel beat up emotionally I turn to a sappy sweet book...or a re-read of a very satisfying romance novel.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Faithmarie wrote: "Lady D... I read the Twilight books when my mom passed away in 2008

That was it I was hooked on all romance with HEA's

I will check out Jodi Thomas... I have one of her books on my nook...."

My sister was reading the Twilight books when her cat was sick with cancer and dying. She said they helped her a lot. I'm sorry about your mom, Faith.

Definitely try Jodi Thomas.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Katya wrote: "I am the opposite of you Danielle...When I am stressed or unhappy, I find it very difficult to concentrate on a story. My own story is playing inside my head. But I tend to do the most reading du..."


That's why I comfort read, to turn my brain off. I tend to obsess about things, and I am a very anxious/worrying person. So, when I focus on a book, it gives my brain/mind time to rest to get lost in a story.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

As far as books I will generally reach for when I need book therapy (not including the Bible):

Paranormal romance--I get sucked into the stories, they are fun, I like the passion, and I like the supernatural story aspects. I usually devour a good PNR in a few hours, or at least in a day.

Harlequin Presents--the great drama gets my mind focused on the story, and I can read them very fast.

Any good romance book, especially if it has angst and flawed characters will take my mind off my own problems.

[[deleted user]]

Thank you Lady D.... I miss her even now....
Oh I can't read angst when stressed.... ahhh then I am doubly stressed...LOL I love flawed characters .... I don't even mind predictable

Bible reading is for non stressed time ... I need to concentrate .... usually I read a lot of the Bible before disaster strikes.... this sudden urge to read and it is comforting then but when stuff hits I now run to.... fluffy sappy HEA comfort reading

Finding Goodreads has been one of the best things that has happened to me..... I find great comfort in like minded readers. And they are easy to find... just look at their book reviews and voila ...score! HEA gold ....LOL.... when it comes to fiction I am a very shallow reader.... LOL again...

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I read the Bible almost everyday, but it's especially a comfort for me during troubled times.

I agree that sappy HEAs are great, but angst is cathartic for me. I have read a couple of books that were too angsty for what I was going through at the time.

Goodreads is great.

[Carolyn]

I like to read HEA books when I am down. I like ones that are highland historical. Lately I am moving more towards the PNR and if I can find one like the KMM Highlander series that have both aspects I am golden. I love to read but go through spurts where I read a lot then move on to knitting or writing. It's like a circle :)

[[deleted user]]

I love Highlander historicals too!!!!!!! They are one of my favorite!!!!!!

[Jill]

I can lose myself in books,so if I am stressed, sad etc a book is the perfect answer. I generally go for something east, maybe a book I have read before and I know I will enjoy. Johanna lindsey is perfect, nice hea romances.

[Lisa Kay]

I certainly go to my well-known authors at those times. If I'm really stressed I got to my "re-read-for-comfort" shelf.

[[deleted user]]

Yes they are the best.... you know where the good parts are ...lol

[Lisa Kay]

LMAO! Faithmarie!

[Awilk -never sleeps-]

I have two standbys for when I am really down and upset. They are Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh and Night Embrace by Sherrilyn Kenyon. They have seen me through cancer treatments and the death of close friends. There is other books I turn too, but these are always the first.

[Kryptonite]

I'd read anything fantasy or paranormal... something that'll get me sucked into another world and make me forget about current issues.

[Pamela(AllHoney), Danger Zone]

my comforts are one of my oldies. Something by Kathleen Woodiwiss or Johanna Lindsey or Jude Deveraux. Or I'll read Linda Howard or Julie Garwood.

[Anne]

I usually read something completely sappy, or something that will make me laugh.

[[deleted user]]

My go to books when things are really stressful

[~Megan~]

My comfort read authors: Jodi Thomas, Julie Garwood, Lavyrle Spencer, Linda Howard. Pretty much anything by these ladies can get me through a trial.

Specific books by other authors:

As for a genre, I tend to lean toward westerns or frontier type stuff when I'm down. That, or another really good historical.

[Elise-Pinterest+Goodreads=The Perfect Book Boyfriend]

I like to read if I just need a pick me up. However, if it's me, and sometimes it's just me refusing to behave, then I read . I am resistant to change and this gets my butt in gear.

[Alysses]

I have to say the book I always go to is . Every time I read this book I finish with a different lesson learned and a different perspective. I'm always at piece and feeling brand new afterwards.

[[deleted user]]

Okay I guess I will try that book

[Katie]

I am a comfort reader as well! When I quit smoking I ripped through IAD, BDB, LOTU in the first three weeks - but they kept me from smoking AND ripping the plaster off the walls. I justified my nightly trips to Barnes and Noble by calculating how much a pack cost and how much a book cost.

I think I need PNR when life is kicking my butt - I LIVE in the real world, I don't want to read about it too! When things are running smoothly I can afford to beforme emotionally involved with UF and historical romances butif I am stressed the characters stress only increases my own!

[Anne]

PNR works. I also feel better when I'm writing.
A book that can make me laugh, like Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series is always welcome.

[[deleted user]]

Sandy Elise-all things bright and shiny wrote: "I like to read if I just need a pick me up.

This is the first of this series I have read.... or am reading but I believe I will be reading more... it is light hearted so far..... love it

[Komal]

When I'm feeling down, I usually try to grab something that will make me laugh. I look through my TBR and find something that looks like it'll make me feel better or distract me. Recently I read Abby Cooper, Psychic Eye which brought a smile to my face a few times.

[Andrea]

I like to read romance when I'm down and want to get away from things. The more sensual, the better. That tends to get me out of my self-pity. I don't have any specific titles but there is a shelf of books I've read over and over and that I count on when nothing else will do.

lol! I should start a Goodreads bookshelf!

[[deleted user]]

Andrea wrote: "I like to read romance when I'm down and want to get away from things. The more sensual, the better. That tends to get me out of my self-pity. I don't have any specific titles but there is a shelf ..."

Yes ... Do it!!!!!!

[Heather]

I love to revisit some of my favorite Authors and books ...they feel like an old, comfortable blanket.

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

The HOllows books always pick me up. I always get lost in the world Kim Harrison writes.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

I've only read the first three books and a short story, but I definitely enjoy the Hollows series, Shera.

[Tammy]

I'm glad to see that books are a comfort to other people as well. Before my friend died she gave me , so I usually read that one or .

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I've only read the first three books and a short story, but I definitely enjoy the Hollows series, Shera."

^_- The 3rd book is my fave. I always want to re-read it.

[Lisa Kay]

Well, life is kicking my butt right now and someone surprised me with the audiobook of . I've read it before, but it was wonderful to listen to on an unplanned family "road trip". Very inspirational.

[[deleted user]]

I wish I could kick life's butt back for you Lisa!!!!!! I hope you feel better soon. You are an angel!!!!!! You are in my thoughts.

[~Megan~]

Ditto what Faithmarie said, Lisa Kay!!

[Lisa Kay]

Thanks, ladies! You are the best at making me smile. :)

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

*hugs* for Lisa!

[Anne]

Life just kicked my butt and the rest of me, hard. Only brother told me in so many words he doesn't want to talk to me because I live with major depression and 'anything he said would make me more depressed', obviously meaning that he doesn't want to try.
After my mom dies, I have no family. I did have my godmother, but she's got Alzheimer's now. I'm so totally bereft.
Sorry for venting, but I'm crying right now and I don't know what to do. Sorry again.

[Arch]

Anne wrote: "Life just kicked my butt and the rest of me, hard. Only brother told me in so many words he doesn't want to talk to me because I live with major depression and 'anything he said would make me more..."

Don't be sorry for venting Anne. Sometimes, we need to vent. We are here for you.

[Shera (Book Whispers)]

It's OK Anne. I'm sorry, at this point you need to surround yourself with other people you can call family.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Loves 'Em Lethal]

Lisa, I am hugging you and sending love and support to you.

Anne, I am so sorry for that. I also send you my hugs and support.

[Arch]

Sorry Lisa, I didn't see your post. We are here for you too.

[Anne]

Thank you so much, everyone.

[Anne]

Oh, and (((((HUGS))) to Lisa

[Lisa Kay]

Thank you, Shera, Lady D & Arch - and (((hugs))) to you too, Anne! Sorry you're going through a rough patch.

Thank goodness for great escape books!

[Anne]

I know! I don't know what I'd do if I couldn't read.

[Zee]

I fall on any chick-lit by Sophie Kinsella, like

[Gwen]

I send my love to both of you ladies. Every once in awhile life kicks us all, so don't think you're alone. It's good to vent Anne. Don't hold it inside. The longer you hold it inside the worser it gets. I know your heart is hurting, but please believe it will get better. And I know it's only words, but they heal as well. So, let ours help you both. Wherever you are I send my words to warm you and my arms to lovingly hug you close. *warm loving hugs*