Comfort Reads discussion

If you've heard about a book, but you're not sure it would be a good comfort read, post about it here. (Links are helpful but not necessary.) Any member who's read the book, or has heard a lot about it, can post feedback.

We can use this thread to help each other find even more comfort read books.

Have fun!

Edited to add:

You can also ask for suggestions for certain types of comfort read books that you haven't found/noticed in other threads.

This is a great idea Lisa. I'm especially thinking of the gore and gross out factor in certain types of mysteries. I love a good mystery but sometimes I can't take certain themes especially those involving children and violence. This thread will be very helpful.

After reading some review on the site I brought The Birth House last night..

Has anyone read it??

Joanne wrote: "After reading some review on the site I brought The Birth House last night..

Has anyone read it??
"

Joanne, I don't know enough about it to be helpful, but it's been on my to-read shelf for a while, so it must have sounded good to me.

Joanne wrote: "After reading some review on the site I brought The Birth House last night..

Has anyone read it??
"

Joanne, I've read it. I liked it quite a bit.

Lee wrote: "Joanne wrote: "After reading some review on the site I brought The Birth House last night..

Has anyone read it??
"

Joanne, I've read it. I liked it quite a bit. "

Thanks Lee I think I will read it next..

Lisa and Lee, now I am really worried...... I KNOW I have a divergent view on what is a comfort read. I personally am comforted when I read a book that is not soothing, but draws me away from my own petty worries. If the books mentioned here at Comfort Reads have to be soothing, well I better not enter any more. Just tell me outright! But there could be others like me that need to be drawn into a serious subject to realize that they needn't worry about their own trivialities! If I am the oddball out, that is fine, just tell me!

Chrissie,

Absolutely not!!! Lee and I actually like a lot of what other people may consider dark books as comfort reads.

If you take a look at our shelf so far of over 1,000 books, you'll see a huge variety.

Whatever is a comfort read for you belongs in this group.

Don't even think of not staying!!!!

I know I've entered a lot of books here that others would not consider comfort reads, and we're not alone.

That's one thing that makes this group so interesting: we all have different books that comfort us.

I also like books that draw me away from my own life, troubles, worries.

You fit in here perfectly!

P.S. This thread is for members who might have heard about a book and want to know more, and want to know if anyone in the group would consider it a comfort read, with a why being extra helpful.

Lisa, I am very happy!!!!!! I didn't want to leave, but if I were wrecking it for others that would not be fair! I AM relieved. I am glad I asked.

Do you see how I misinterpreted what you said? What you said COULD be taken as how you judge what a comfort read is......

Chrissie, Yes, it's easy to be unclear and have misunderstandings on the internet. I truly apologize for any confusion and any anxiety it caused you. I've LOVED seeing the books you've mentioned in this group!

Well I love that I am welcome! Even though I tend to pick rather "serious" books. And I always ask people if I have a question, simply to avoid misunderstandings.

Chrissie, everyone is welcome. Everyone has a different idea of what a comfort read is. All viewpoints are equally valid and appreciated here so please stay with us. I love hearing about what you're reading, it's always so interesting. xo

Lee,I am glad I am welcome, and isn't it good this issue is discussed out in the open so others understand your position.

I also find both kinds of things comfort reads: soothing books and ones that aren't necessarily soothing but take my things out of the stuff weighing on my mind. So it's just good to have lots of different suggestions for comfort reads, so that everyone can find something that suits them. :)

And even the most soothing story has to have some elements that aren't just soothing - after all, if there's no conflict then there's no story!

Katri, well we are at least three - you, Tara and I!

I am with you as well.

Yes, sometimes the "happy" books might make me depressed and the "depressing" books might be soothing. It all depends. On the book & on my mood.

I love that we have so many threads, bookshelves, ideas of what makes up a comfort read. It's fascinating. And, as Lee said, all equally valid.

Now we have at least five. Lynne and Lisa, i should have known I could count on you two.

Chrissie, I rarely read soothing books so I'm sure you can count me in too! I love depressing books.

You ladies are so sweet! :) I generally avoid depressing books, except for "Wuthering Heights" which someone described as depressing. I do like a good weepy love story, especially if it all works out in the end, but I've gotten too sentimental for too much sadness. Still, it is great to have something to comfort you, no matter the format!

I will certainly count you in Lee, :0) !! A harrowing, tryly gripping book is Eleni.

Chrissie wrote: "Katri, well we are at least three - you, Tara and I!"

snif snif snif, what about me??

Laura, of course you too! However, this thread, I NOW UNDERSTAND, is for asking others whether a book is good or not. It was just dumb me who misinterpreted what the thread was for.... I am very glad we who like the rough stuff are also welcome. Let's not mess up Lisa's thread!

I was just teasing you dear friend...

Just fyi...Shutter Island is NOT a comfort read book. I'm freaked out and hiding under the bed.
(And I am not signing this post because I am too embarrassed to admit who I am since I am hiding under the bed...) signed-the secret poster

Christine wrote: "Just fyi...Shutter Island is NOT a comfort read book. I'm freaked out and hiding under the bed.
(And I am not signing this post because I am too embarrassed to admit who I am since I am hiding un..."

Tell Dixie to stop reading such scary books, Christine! :)

Scarilicious huh?

I am easily freaked out, but I think this is actually really a scary book.

Good to know!

I know I'm too scared to see the movie. Sometimes books scare me less, as long as I'm not reading them right before bed.

Christine, Will be interested in your opinion once you've finished it, if you can finish it.

I get much more frightened from and by scary movies and pictures than scary books, although, like Lisa, I generally try not to read anything frightening or freaky right before bed (it keeps me awake and makes me have weird dreams).

Finished Shutter Island (thanks to a long night of insomnia), and it was really good! Definitely not comforting, definitely not my usual type of book, but really good.

I haven't read this book, but a friend gave it 4 stars and it's about dogs and kids and I don't know which thread to put it on. Has anyone read it?

Cowboy & Wills: A Love Story

I am back with more comfort reads. The Sherwood Ring, by Elizabeth Marie Pope, originally published in 1958 but reprinted in 1989. Daddy-Long-Legs, by Jean Webster. A sequel to that is Dear Enemy, published 1915. Two others are When Patty Went to College and Just Patty. These were published in 1903 and 1911, respectively. Thus, these last three may be very difficult to find or priced to high but they are lovely books.

Dear Enemy is in print, both combined with Daddy-Long-Legs and alone (and even for Kindle).

When Patty went to College has recently been reprinted, as is the case with Just Patty.

Susanna wrote: "Dear Enemy is in print, both combined with Daddy-Long-Legs and alone (and even for Kindle).

When Patty went to College has recently been reprinted, as is the case with Just Patty."

I had no idea! That is wonderful - they are such lovely books. Thanks for updating.

Joanne wrote: "After reading some review on the site I brought The Birth House last night..

Has anyone read it??
"

Oooh! I enjoyed it! it was heartwarming, but I am not sure it is a book that I would say is a "comfort read" for me.

Maude wrote: "I am back with more comfort reads. The Sherwood Ring, by Elizabeth Marie Pope, originally published in 1958 but reprinted in 1989. Daddy-Long-Legs, by Jean Webster. A sequel to that is Dear Enem..."

Actually, you can easily get most of Jean Webster's wonderful novels on Amazon. The combination of both Daddy Long Legs and Dear Enemy which Susanna mentioned is excellent, as it not only includes both of the novels, but a great introduction, bibliographical materials and notes on the texts, Daddy-Long-Legs and Dear Enemy.

Christine wrote: "Finished Shutter Island (thanks to a long night of insomnia), and it was really good! Definitely not comforting, definitely not my usual type of book, but really good."
I started it two days ago...very dark and atmospheric, which is something I definitely enjoy but so far not scary, but I know it won't last !!!
I want to read it before watching the movie.
I agree, it is no comfort read.

I found "Gilead" by Marilynn Robinson, comforting and beautiful. Very spiritual. An especially good read around Lent/Easter.



book data

all editions
10,405 ratings, 3.76 average rating, 2,163 reviews, on 15,999 people's shelves

this edition
9,797 ratings, 3.75 average rating, 2010 reviews, on 15,053 people's shelves



rating frequency %
5

33%
4

29%
3

21%
2

10%
1

5%
edit

published
January 10th 2006 by Picador (first published 2000)

details
Paperback, 247 pages

literary awards
Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (2005), National Book Critics' Circle Award (2004)

isbn
031242440X (isbn13: 9780312424404)

description
"In 1956, toward the end of Reverend John Ames's life, he begins a letter to his young son, an account of himself and his forebears. Ames is the …more

I recently read Little Earthquakes by Jennifer Weiner. A real comfort read for me! A great book about the power of friendships. I recently moved, and the thing I miss most is my close friends I left behind. Luckily, FaceBook helps me keep in touch with them. Anything by Jennifer Weiner is thought provoking but comforting for me at the same time.

Hi Everybody,

Thanks so much for sharing your comfort read books.

The best way to share them is to find the most appropriate genre thread for your book(s) and post there.

For this thread, its main use is for any member to post if they've heard of a book but haven't read it and want to find out if other member(s) have and if anyone considers it a comfort read.

Not a major deal at all but that's how we're trying to organize the threads. Ideally. Thanks!