Comfort Reads discussion

Please share here any non-fiction that gives you comfort or pleasure.

I absolutely adore Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat. A friend gave it to me in the summer of 1976 and I've loved it ever since and have reread it a few times as a comfort read (even though it isn't all comforting.) It is very, very funny though.

Then again, I often find really disturbing books comforting in their own way. I hesitate to put it on the group's bookshelf because very few readers would find it comforting but the memoir Blackbird A Childhood Lost by Jennifer Lauck, which made my childhood look rosy, was a comfort read for me.

One of my favorite comfort reads is a book of essays by Anne Fadiman titled Ex Libris Confessions of a Common Reader. It's a book of essays, and sometimes a particular essay deserves a reread. I find the book comforting because it's by someone who loves, and writes about, books and language, and her family (of origin and of her own) seems so warm and close, and funny!

Lisa, I read and loved some of Farley Mowat's books as a child and one in particular that I can't remember the title of. I think a boy was caught in a blizzard or out on the tundra during a storm for an extended period of time and had to survive. I wish I knew which book that was.

Lee, Was it Lost in the Barrens? I haven't read that one but I've read several of Farley Mowat's books. Never Cry Wolf is my favorite and the only one I've reread multiple times.

It must have been that one Lisa. I wonder if I would like it as an adult. I'm often reluctant to go back and re-read books I enjoyed as a child for fear of being disappointed.

I go back to James Herriot's vet books every once in a while - All Creatures Big & Small, etc...

Sarah Pi wrote: "I go back to James Herriot's vet books every once in a while - All Creatures Big & Small, etc...
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Oh Sarah! Good call! Those are fantastic comfort reads and I clean forgot about them. I think Boof was reading a James Herriot book recently and I added it. It was new to me.......
Maybe she'll pop in and tell us what it was.

One of my favorite non-fiction "comfort" reads is House by Tracy Kidder. It's great if you have a fascination with human psychology and houses.

Ooh. Adding that as well. I really liked his new book, Strength in What Remains A Journey of Remembrance and Forgiveness, though it was NOT a comfort read.

I just love this book. It's well-researched and extremely readable; I tend to pick it up when I need a "pick-me-up." It tells the story of 4 amazing Indian women, and how their lives were impacted by the changes in India in the 19th/20th centuries.

One of those books that makes me feel I can accomplish anything.

Lisa wrote: "One of my favorite non-fiction "comfort" reads is House by Tracy Kidder. It's great if you have a fascination with human psychology and houses. "

Oh Lisa, this is right up my alley! Looks great!

I loved all of James Herriot's novels and I do reread them every few years, especially if I need to relax a bit. I have also read his son's wonderful biography The Real James Herriot: A Memoir of My Father; if you loved James Herriot's novels, you will find this a moving tribute.

Gundula wrote: "I loved all of James Herriot's novels and I do reread them every few years, especially if I need to relax a bit. I have also read his son's wonderful biography [book:The Real James Herriot: A Memo..."

I read that not too long ago! I enjoyed learning about which parts of the books were real and which parts were fictionalized. I had always wondered.

I love revisiting James Herriot's novels in audio, read by Christopher Timothy, the actor who played him on the TV series. They are the perfect accompaniment to a long trip!

Gundula wrote: "I loved all of James Herriot's novels and I do reread them every few years, especially if I need to relax a bit. I have also read his son's wonderful biography [book:The Real James Herriot: A Memo..."

I love Herriot's books too, although I think the earlier ones are stronger than the later ones. Some of the stories are quite hilarious, especially the ones involving Tristan/Siegfried and Herriot's disastrous dates with Helen. And being a dog person, I love his dog stories, many of which are funny or touching.

Sandy, don't miss Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog

Sandybanks, you are right about the earlier James Herriot books being the strongest, but I really did enjoy Herriot's account of his boat trip to Russia (contained in The Lord God Made Them All). It was not only amusing, it also showed a rare glimpse into post World War II Russia at a time when there was little information and/or details available. I've also enjoyed the television series, but sometimes did (and do) have trouble with the dialects.

I really did enjoy Jim Wright's biography. It went a long way to rid myself of the bad taste that was left in my mouth after having read the unofficial (and at times quite speculative and mean-spirited) biography of Herriot written by his former literary agent (Graham Lord was someone whom Herriot considered a friend, which makes it even worse). For those who are interested, I will add the book link, but I do not recommend this travesty to anyone, especially not to anyone who is a James Herriot fan James Herriot: The Life of a Country Vet. If you want to read a biography of James Herriot, read his son's biography and stay away from Graham Lord.

I don't read very much non-fiction unless it's biography (right now I'm reading the newest one on Patricia Highsmith by Joan Schenkar. Definitely not a "comfort book" as most would see it, but somehow the mother/daughter relationship resonates with my own experience. Sylvia Plath's work and life also inspire me to be a better daughter with a difficult mother. I guess I find comfort reading things that justify my sense of maturity, books that got me through past dramas of my own.

I adore The Tao of Pooh and Te of Piglet and I re-read every few years. I dig philosophy, psychology and mysteries/thrillers that make me think or take me to another world for a while.

Peace.

Gundula wrote: "Sandybanks, you are right about the earlier James Herriot books being the strongest, but I really did enjoy Herriot's account of his boat trip to Russia (contained in [book:The Lord God Made Them A..."

Gundula, I've also read Herriot's biography that was written by his son. It was interesting to know that the real-life Tristan loved his potrayal, while 'Siegfried' didn't. I haven't read the one that you mentioned. In what way is it mean-spirited?

Well, I don't remember that much about it, but Lord was constantly trying to paint both Alfred and his wife as somewhat tyrannical (he was especially critical of his wife). And, there was also some information that seemed to at least hint at academic dishonesty (and Lord really took Herriot to task for his portrayal of "Siegfried," who though, according to Herriot's son and others, was actually much more mercurial in real life than how he is described in the books). Maybe you might like Lord's biography, it certainly did nothing for me (and I generally do not like or agree with unofficial biographies, because they are often filled with gossip and innuendo).

It sounds like if it is really one-sided in its portrayal of Alf and his wife. I don't think that I'm interested in it, based on the few reviews here on GR.

I think I'd rather reread the Russian trip, which I haven't read for years, or curl up with James Herriot's Dog Stories, my favorite Herriot comfort read.

Sounds like a plan. Have fun!!

Courtney wrote: "I don't read very much non-fiction unless it's biography (right now I'm reading the newest one on Patricia Highsmith by Joan Schenkar. Definitely not a "comfort book" as most would see it, but som..."

Welcome Courtney, I'd be interested in reading Joan Schenkar's book on Patricia Highsmith for similar reasons. Thanks for posting about it. :-)

Our mystery section is growing so check it out! I'm sure you can add some great suggestions.

Just moved this to the right place - I was doing something quite different when I realised I'd posted it under General Fiction instead of non-fiction. Duh!!!
One of my favourite non-fiction reads of recent years is Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth. The author - Andrew Smith - was a child at the time of the moon landings, and when he hears of the death of moonwalker Pete Conrad in a motorbike accident in 1999, realises that one day none of those first moonwalkers will be left. The book tells his experiences in tracking down the remaining nine moonwalkers (and yes, ten years later there are still nine surviving), and what he learned from those he was able to talk to. I listened to the audiobook version from the library back when my Apollo obsession was still quite new, and have since picked up a paperback 2nd hand. It mixes the author's reminiscences of growing up during the 1960's with current events from the start of the 2000's, when he was tracking down his subjects across the US, and in one case Portugal. I found it utterly charming, and know it'll be a book I read many time through my life. For more gushing, please feel free to check out my review: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

Darkpool wrote: "One of my favourite non-fiction reads of recent years is Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth."

Sounds interesting! I watched the miniseries "From the Earth to the Moon" not too long ago and loved learning all sorts of things I hadn't known before about that period of American history. Thanks for the recommendation, Darkpool! I'm adding it to my TBR.

For some reason I find re-reading Life in a Medieval City by Joseph and Frances Gies very comforting. It's really a charming little social history.

Looks good Susanna. I'm hopeless with this pile.

I just got an amazing book on Medieval England that reads like a travel guide; I have not finished it, but from what I have read, it will become a book to reread again and again, The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century by Ian Mortimer.

Gundula, haha, I see I also have that one on my list.....

That one sounds interesting, Gundula.

I've read several of Mortimer's medieval mysteries and enjoyed them.

I thought Goodreads is general was disastrous to my to-read shelf. This group (thank you Lee?) will rival Goodreads in general for my being buried in books to read. So many great books!

Oooh, yes. I've also read the time traveler's guide to medieval England, and found it an enjoyable, easy read.

Darkpool, it's your fault I have that one on my list already! :-)

I am about to start Salonica, City of Ghosts: Christians, Muslims and Jews 1430-1950

I just finished Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire. I absolutely loved it. It is one of thos non-fiction that never touch on being dry. I could have added it to the biography thread too, but chose this b/c it is mostly for those interested in learning about how India, Pakistan and Banglades became independent countries, although remaing part of the Commonwealth. It is so wonderful b/c it gives in-depth info about the main characters who made this happen - Nehru, Mahatma GAndhi, Jinnah and Edwina and Louis Mountbatten. You get their private and public lives. Wonderful book. You don't have to be an expert to read it, although you cannot possibly remember everything. This is a wonderful place to start if you are interested in Indian history!

Hi Chrissie. I am currently reading Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, which mskes many references to the times of Britian's presence and rule in these countries. I'm going to place a hold at my library today. Thanks for you post.

Elhara, excuse me for not responding sooner. I have to switch it to individual emails..... If I am rushed I just delete the digests. Indian Summer was great. I have to go check out the one you are reading! I have heard it mentioned so many times.

Like a lot of people, I love the James Herriot books. I am also madly in love with Bill Bryson's writing. I'm not a fan of all of his books, but he is so clever and interesting! My favorites are "A Short History of Nearly Everything," "The Mother Tongue," "In a Sunburned Country," "A Walk in the Woods," and "I'm a Stranger Here Myself."

I recently read three non-fictions, Hellhound On His Trail: The Stalking of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the International Hunt for His Assassin, The Lost Generation: The brilliant but tragic lives of rising British F1 stars Roger Williamson, Tony Brise and Tom Pryce, and The Nuremberg Interviews. Really enjoyed all three!

The Nuremberg Interviews looks great to me, John. I just added it to my to-read shelf.

I am reading Bill Bryson's (surprise) "At Home." Just finished "The Happiness Project" by Gretchen Rubin, which I enjoyed. She had some great things to say and good ideas.

I am about to start Think No Evil, the true story of the Amish school shootings and the Amish's ability for forgivness

John wrote: "I am about to start Think No Evil, the true story of the Amish school shootings and the Amish's ability for forgivness"

John - That sounds really interesting. I'd like to hear what you think about it. It might be something I'd like to read.

Saralyn wrote: "John wrote: "I am about to start Think No Evil, the true story of the Amish school shootings and the Amish's ability for forgivness"

John - That sounds really interesting. I'd like ..."

I thought it was a wonderful book. As horrible and as deliberate as the school shootings were the author goes on to show the power of forgiveness. Ultimately the book is about healing through forgiveness - a lesson that many people should listen to. For a book with religious overtones it is not preachy. I would highly recommend it.

My next book is going to be another non-fiction, The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom. It is the story of seven people in 1941 who escape from a Soviet labour camp and walk through, Siberia, China, the Gobi desert, Tibet, over the Himalayas to British India. Soon to be a movie "The Way Back".

John, That book sounds interesting and something that could make a great movie; I'm not surprised it's already being made into a movie.

John and Lisa, I have read The Long Walk. There also is the following :The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom: Movie Tie-In|10295345]. As you say Lisa, it has been made into a film! I am not surprised.

I am glad I read it, but some details got me doubting the vracity of the facts presented. For this reason I could only give it 2 stars. Once I started doubting one episode, my thoughts couldn't help but question other events.

Chrissie, Interesting. Maybe now that it's a film, more about the real circumstances will come out, including interviews where questioning is done about if the truth was stretched. There are some amazing real accounts though, ones I can't imagine but I have believed.

Lisa, I do think much of the book is accurate,. Some say that perhaps the author has put together experiences of different people. That doesn't bother me too much either. It is the way the Abominable Snowmen episode is written that detracted for me. Everyone has different beliefs, but this was too much for me. This is not a spoiler.

I'm starting my third NF book in a row. This one is called Son of the Morning Star. It is not so much a biography, as an account of the battle at the Little Bighorn. In 2007 I read Custer's Fall: The Native American Side of the Story, so it will be interesting to compare the two.