Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

It's been a long year so far, and sometimes, we just need a comforting book. For some people, that means a light and fluffy rom com. For others, that means getting lost in a good mystery. For others, it could be whatever they can get off of their shelves to pare down the stacks. Whatever comfort means to you, this is the week to lean into that.

ATY Listopia: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/2...

What are you reading for this prompt, and how does it fit?

For me nothing is more comforting, reading wise, than getting lost in an unfamiliar place with a chonkster fantasy or sci-fi book! For this prompt I've chosen The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, with 830 pages.

I haven’t decided yet on a book but probably something that is Middle School adventure type book.

Few authors are more comforting to me than P G Wodehouse, especially his Lord Emsworth stories. So I'll revisit Lord E, after many years, starting with Something Fresh. Another old favorite I'm likely to sink into next year is Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. My daughter considers that one a fever dream/nightmare. Comfort is clearly in the mind of the reader.

I'll choose from the following:
Reread an Agatha Christie, a mystery from the British Library of Crime Classics, such as Murder in St. John's Wood by E.C.R. Lorac, books by Mary Oliver, and Anne Lamott Or maybe a cozy mystery, chick lit, or childrens literature.

My main comfort reads are: Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers, Shepherds Abiding by Jan Karon, and Light From Heaven by Jan Karon. The latter two being part of the Mitford series. I read Shepherd's Abiding every Christmas.

I also read a couple of cozy mysteries for comfort. The Aunt Dimity series and A Tea Shop Mystery series.

I slotted in Pekoe Most Poison by Laura Childs.

The first thing that jumped into my head is currently first on the listopia: Pride and Prejudice. To me comforting is classics, especially those from childhood or youth: Jane Austen, the Little House books, Little Women, Withering Heights, Anne of Green Gables books

This one was tricky for me, because I wouldn't consider anything a comfort read. I've decided to interpret it as something I know I'm going to enjoy, so I'll be reading Gobbelino London & A Complication of Unicorns by Kim M. Watt, which is book 3 in a clever and fun series that's a favourite of mine.

I don’t have books I consider comfort reads. I have been enjoying Japanese literature featuring cats recently so maybe something light and whimsical like The Restaurant of Lost Recipes or, alternatively, something weird by Philip K Dick. This feels like a mood read to me so I’m leaving it open.

I don't re-read for the challenge, so this prompt is always a bit of a problem. I may well change my mind, but at the moment I am planning Alive, Alive Oh!: And Other Things That Matter and a return to the world of Mma Ramotse in Precious and Grace

This is the only entry I will re-read for - I try to read the Lord of the Rings series every few years, and next year I'll be due again. So I'll read The Fellowship of the Ring for this entry, probably the excellent audiobook version narrated by Rob Inglis.

Dixie wrote: "Few authors are more comforting to me than P G Wodehouse, especially his Lord Emsworth stories. So I'll revisit Lord E, after many years, starting with Something Fresh."

That is a great choice for this topic. I've read a few of the books in that series, and they definitely qualify.

For this one I might reread a favorite book or listen to a favorite audio. Or I might read a new book from Louise Penny and spend a little time in the village of Three Pines.

What the Wind Knows on audio is a book I have put on several times when I was sick. I’m reading a book now that definitely feels like a comfort book - Late Nights on Air by Elizabeth Hay. I have Snow Road Station by the same author planned for next year for the ToB prompt or others.

I will probably read either Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe or a cozy mystery, such as Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto.

(cracks knuckles) This is my area.


The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
If you can get the audiobook with Stephen Fry narrating, this is one of the most perfect comfort reads in both time and space. Is it ridiculous? Of course! That's what makes it comforting. It is so inherently absurd that you'll find yourself comforted and realize that, in the scope of the universe, humans really are "mostly harmless." This is my go-to book if I'm sick.


Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch
Look, I know the controversy. I will argue that it's not the book's fault that it has one piece of shit parent. Terry Pratchett is a gem and I'd say one of his best works is Good Omens. It has all the absurdity of Douglas Adams mixed with all the whimsical world building of-- Well, there's no one better than Pratchett himself on that front. (I'd argue Tolkien is more of a hard world builder than a whimsical one.) And, like most of Pratchett's work, in the end the book is deeply, deeply human.
If you don't want to touch something that Neil Gaiman has touched, may I recommend virtually any book in the Discworld series? There is literally something for everyone. (Pratchett did a fair bit of genre hopping within that universe.) I can't link the flow chart because of Goodreads' policy on links, but just type "which book should I read in Discworld" and you'll find it quick enough.


The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant
I always have to pull for this series. Fred is a vampire. He's also an accountant. Instead of ditching his accounting life to go be a creature of the night, he decides to keep being an accountant. He quickly finds that the supernatural world he's been thrust into is desperately in need of people who can do ordinary things (like accounting) and builds up a found family through being kind, generous, and by using his deep, unabated nerdiness to help mythical creatures not fall victim to bad contracts and cooked books. It's basically a warm hug in book form and it just gets nicer and nicer as the series progresses and the found family grows.


Howl’s Moving Castle
I know this is a comfort movie for a lot of people. I find this is a comfort book. Is it like the movie? Not really. The movie is classic Miyazaki, complete with themes about war. The book is a send up of classic fairy tales, particularly the rule of three that dictates that the elder children must fail so that the youngest can succeed. Sophie is the eldest of three girls, which, according to fairy tale logic, makes her doomed by the narrative to fail. We quickly get off this track when she's magically made old (much like in the movie) and decides, contrary to all storytelling convention, that she's just going to walk up to the Evil Wizard's castle, sit down in one of his armchairs, and not move until she's forced to or until Howl fixes her problem. Howl is not truly an evil wizard so this turns out fine, but it's still hilarious to see the elderly Sophie stubborn her way into her new found family.
For fans of the movie, be warned: (This is a list of key differences)(view spoiler)[Howl isn't the brooding hero he is in the movie. If anything, he's a theater kid turned wizard who has drummed up the image of being Evil to get out of doing things he doesn't want to do. He still does his share of good things, but he's a coward and a liar and deeply, deeply dramatic. He's also woos women by the dozen, I think because he's very aware that the issue lies with his heart and he thinks true love's kiss is going to make it all better. (It's not.) In a similar vein, Sophie is not the demure, comforting presence she is in the movie. In the book, she's a stubborn woman with a chip on her shoulder who gets pulled into the plot by being a busybody and by being the only person who can bully Calcifer into working with her. Merkel is named "Michael" in the book and he's fifteen rather than a little boy. In a different story, he'd be the young hero destined for great things. Here, he's the assistant to the mercurial Howl and the closest you get in this found family to an "everyman." There is a war going on, but it's so firmly in the background that you could skip over it entirely in a plot summary and not be too far off. Also, the Witch of the Wastes really is the villain in the book and book Sophie would have pushed her down all the steps to the palace if the Witch started melting. (hide spoiler)]

And finally pretty much anything by Agatha Christie.

For this prompt, I read and highly recommend:
Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum - 4* - My Review

Alistair's mention of Howl's Moving Castle reminded me of Tress of the Emerald Sea, which is a send-up of fantasy. It is more like the movie of The Princess Bride than the actual book of the Princess Bride was! A great comfort read if you a fan of that style.

For me, Regency romances are comfort reads. Of course, they are totally incorrect in that there are tons of young, available noblemen, the servants are well-treated and happy, and everyone takes a lot of baths. Also the women often have interests in science, business, archaeology, etc. and the men support them. The men adore their children and spend time with them. I just pretend that these stories take place on another planet named Regency. Some authors, like Carla Kelly and Stella Riley do include darker elements like war, but of course there is always a happy ending.

A different type of comfort read for me is all the stories of people who go to France and fall in love with the culture, language, food, and/or a person. I have probably read about 10 like that!

I think a comfort read for me is something that isn't to complex, perhaps a tad messy or silly and super easy to get lost in.

I had recently heard a review for The Favorites and it seemed like something that would be a good fit for me. And in the end it was a good fit. There were things I found annoying about the plot but overall very much a comfort read at a time I need all the comfort I can get.

I love paranormal romances, so I read Not the Witch You Wed for this category.

I will be reading Moving Times by Mary Powles. It is about people moving house and the estate agent dealing with them. Sounds not too 'involved' and an easy read.

There are quite a few things that I consider "comfort reads." Cozy mysteries are one of them. I read Cappuccinos, Cupcakes, and a Corpse by Harper Lin.

I read Alive, Alive Oh!: And Other Things that Matter. Not a cosy book but in a way comforting to see someone coping well and gracefully with aging - though money helps.

Precious and Grace was the gentle and soothing read I had expected.

I read New Tricks by David Rosenfelt, the 7th book in the Andy Carpenter series. It's a breezy, light mysery series featuring a clever detective and his love of dogs, and the cast of characters feel like old friends by now.

I read Murder at an English Séance by Jessica Ellicott

I read The Kamogawa Food Detectives

I read:
He Gets Us: Experiencing the confounding love, forgiveness, and relevance of Jesus by Max Lucado

REJECT: A book with yellow on the cover

Finished: 06/09/2025
Rating: 5 stars

From Goodreads:
Each chapter includes an FAQ, detailed responses from contributors of He Gets Us and selected writings from New York Times bestselling author Max Lucado, a QR code that takes you to a profound video that you can watch and share with others, and timeless Scripture verses...Whether you're exploring faith for the first time, seeking answers to life's difficult questions, or looking for a deeper relationship with Jesus, "He Gets Us" will be your guide every step of the way.

Dixie wrote: "Few authors are more comforting to me than P G Wodehouse, especially his Lord Emsworth stories. So I'll revisit Lord E, after many years, starting with Something Fresh. Another old fa..."

Well, while I still consider the above comfort reads, I found myself in the mood to revisit some of the Robert Heinlein juveniles that were among my very favorite books as a teen (I won a national writing award partly due to an essay on one of those books). I just finished Red Planet, which I probably haven't read in 30 years, and all my old feelings of excitement and joy came right back. As the year goes on I'll read my other two favorites, Tunnel in the Sky and Have Space Suit - Will Travel. I actually found a t-shirt advertising the last one, and on the rare occasion someone recognizes it, there is always a fun meeting of minds. :D

I've decided to reread an old favourite, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. Definitely worth it and comforting <3

I read Battle Mountain by C.J. Box being no. 25 in the Joe Pickett series. The characters and the geographic setting from book 1 onwards are so familiar for me when reading in my comfortable chair.

I just finished listening through A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, and I'd definitely classify it as a comfort read! It gives off a similar feeling to that of being wrapped in a warm blanket with a mug of tea on a cold day.

I read Mother-Daughter Murder Night which was a fun mystery. Mysteries are my comfort reads.

I read The Full Moon Coffee Shop Mai Mochizuki. I'm finding a lot of Japanese literature with gentle amounts of magical realism to be comforting. It helps that they often feature cats and usually have cats on the cover.