Comfort Reads discussion

Hi, Some of you know my taste in reading but even those of you who do not, might very well have some perfect ideas.

I'm going away for just 2 nights (which might turn into a week but probably won't, and might get continued for about a week a couple of weeks later) but think 2 nights here.

I'm bringing my September/October VegNews magazine, which I've saved specifically for this purpose.

I'm looking for a good book or two or three to bring. I need something funny or uplifting and something that would be considered both an easy read and a comfort read. I'm going to possibly need "cheering up" or something wonderfully distracting.

Too bad I've already read The Spellmans Strike Again because that would have been near perfect. I don't think the library will have Burn: An Anna Pigeon Novel available by then (it's still at the vendor) but I'd bring that if I have it. Ideally, the books that would be ones I could get from the library without any wait (not too new) or paperbacks I can buy or new hardcovers so good I'd be willing to buy them. There's a little independent bookstore in the town where I'll be, but I can't be sure they'll have anything that will call out to me.

So, humor or laid back travel or ???

Any ideas? All ideas are welcome.

Thank you so much.

I would suggest an anthology. Something with alot of short stories or novella's in them. If you don't like one, then switch and read another. Also, if you're limited on reading time, you have just enough time usually to finish a short story. There are so many to choose from in any genre.

P.S. I do own some books I'm considering taking along: The Blue Castle, Emily of New Moon, and I'm sure a bunch of others I'm not looking at right now. But, they're not necessarily quite right. Thanks.

Thanks, Briansgirl. Any specific ones you know of that are good? It's a good suggestion.

What genre's of books do you like to read? I've got several paranormal anthologies that are good. More than enough romance anthologies.

I've been enjoying lately some Louis L'Amour westerns. My favorite right now being Bowdrie. There is another called Bowdrie's Law. Both are collections of short stories but they all involve the same main character, Bowdrie, a texas ranger. It's like reading little half hour episodes of a western never filmed. Whenever I have a spare 15-20 minutes, I can sit down and read one.

These are all romance anthologies, eaching having 4 novella's (at least one of which is by Nora Roberts). I havn't read them however I own 3 of them.
Once Upon A Dream
Once Upon A Kiss
Once Upon A Midnight
Once Upon A Rose
Once Upon A Star
Once Upon A Castle

How about some YA fantasy? I really enjoyed The Changeling Sea, The Bell at Sealey Head and Chalice. Ya fantasy are usually quick reads and these three I consider comfort reads.

Thanks, Briansgirl & Jeannette, I don't much like romance and don't like paranormal, even though I have very eclectic taste.

Here are the genres I like that are on my profile page:

favorite genres

Art, Biography, Children's, Classics, Contemporary, Fantasy, Fiction, Historical fiction, History, Memoir, Mystery, Non-fiction, Psychology, Science fiction, Travel, Young-adult, Vegan, Science, and Essays

Jeannette, I'll take a look at those three books. I've never heard of any of them.

So many books!!!

How about Murder, They Wrote, which is all short mystery stories. I have that in amongst all my Murder, She Wrote novels. Those usually read fairly quickly.

Creature Cozies by Jill M. Morgan is an anthology of a dozen or so short mysteries, all involving animals in some fashion.

To combine classics and mysteries, you could try Masterpieces of Mystery: The Supersleuths by Ellery Queen. The one I have is the "Supersleuths" edition. It includes 14 novellas by famous authors like Ellery Queen, Agatha Christie, A. Conan Doyle, Edgar Allen Poe, Dorothy Sayers, etc.

Thanks, Briansgirl. I'll check out that Jill M. Morgan book.

I'm thinking I might want a big single book???

And I think something really hilarious would be perfect, but of course what we each find funny is very personal.

I appreciate all the suggestions.

Your welcome Liza.

Creature Cozies, Masterpiece of Mystery and Murder, They Wrote are each one book. The first and last I have in paperback. The Masterpiece is a nice hardbound book. I don't know if it's available in paperback or not.

Lisa, I will put my thinking cap on for you. I know your taste fairly well.

Lee wrote: "Lisa, I will put my thinking cap on for you. I know your taste fairly well."

Thanks, Lee!!! Yes, you do.

Big and funny together is pretty tough. The long long long ones tend to be serious serious serious.

I really love the Count (of Monte C., of course), but you've probably already read that. That's long, and fun, but not funny.

The Uncommon Reader is brilliant but very short.

You like mysteries? Dorothy Sayers is always fun.

The Thirteenth Tale, Gothic?

The Count of Monte Cristo
The Uncommon Reader
Murder Must Advertise
The Thirteenth Tale

I've read many of these, but some are on my to-read list. By "big" I meant a novel vs. novellas/short stories.

Thanks, Hayes. I've read all of Sayers, I think. But The Thirteenth Tale and The Uncommon Reader are both on my to-read shelf.

Right now my library's web site seem to be down, but I might try to reserve Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos by Donna Andrews. I've only read the first two of that series. They're funny and very light.

Thanks, everybody for ideas.

Keep them coming. I'm likely to use some and they might help give other members here ideas too.

Lisa, I just found the one I was thinking of but it may not be super funny. The reviews call it witty and charming. It sounds like a comfort read to me.

A Guide to the Birds of East Africa

Thanks, Lee. I've never heard of it. Off to check it out!

I've got that on TBR. Looks brilliant!

Yes, I just added it, and it does look brilliant!!! My library web site it down but when I can get to it, I'll see if they have it and whether it's available.

Lisa, have you read the Percy Jackson books by Rick Riordan? Ya books about a son of Poseidon, lots of greek mythology.
Or maybe the Parasol Protectorate Series (Soulless, Changeless, Blameless are publishwd so far) - easily read steampunk with a nive sense of humour.
Maybe A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainia?

Christina, I loved the The Lightning Thief, the first book in the series.

I'm not that enthusiastic about the Protectorate Series, though maybe I need to check further.

I'll check out A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian.

Thanks.

I just finished reading A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian this past weekend - and even though there were some very comical moments and some tender ones, there also was an undertone of sadness dealing with elderly parents that you may not find particularly uplifting.

Oh Lisa, have you read The Enchanted April???? That's a great book and the ladies in the book go to Italy for a holiday.

Lisa, did you read My Life in France?

Shelley wrote: "I just finished reading A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian this past weekend - and even though there were some very comical moments and some tender ones, there also was an under..."
I agree Shelley. It was more tragi-comic than comic and I felt the sadness was rather dominating so yeah, maybe not the best idea if looking for a book to cheer you up...

Lee wrote: "Oh Lisa, have you read The Enchanted April???? That's a great book and the ladies in the book go to Italy for a holiday."

I must be one of the few who couldn't get into Enchanted April. Maybe I should try it again. It's a good movie though.

Thank you everybody!!!! I think I've got my books.

I'm bringing my own copies of

Emily of New Moon

The Blue Castle

Eternal Treblinka: Our Treatment of Animals and the Holocaust

and I have from the library and will bring

A Guide to the Birds of East Africa

and I think the library will have for me to pick up before I leave

Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos

and I doubt it will arrive from the library but if it does I'll also bring

Burn: An Anna Pigeon Novel

I also will bring my September/October edition of my favorite magazine: VegNews.

Given that I'm a slow reader, there are plenty of other things to do there, I'm doing a lot of driving (no audio books though, that would have been a good idea, but the scenery will be pretty and I don't know where I'm going so I'll have to keep my wits about me), I'll be lucky to get through one whole book. So, I have plenty.

I appreciate all of your ideas and I've added some of the books to my to-read shelf, and will take another look at some point and possibly add some more.

I hope these suggestions might end up being useful to other members too.

I would love to hear more about A Guide to the Birds of East Africa after you've read it.

Diane, If I do read it, I'll write a review, and if it's a comfort read for me I'll post about it in here. I plan to read it, but I am spread thin with to-read books so I may or may not read it in the next few weeks. It looks good, I think.

Lisa, no worries. I am so behind on my reading!!!

And, somebody just gave me Earth: A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race, so I'll be saving it and bringing it with me next week. Oh boy! I don't like the books as much as the show but I love Jon Stewart's humor.

And it's very possible I'll do very little reading. ;-)

But, the books will be welcome all my other days.

Lisa, since you mention Jon Stewart's humor, have you read anything by David Sedaris?

Diane, Yes, I love David Sedaris. He'd be another good choice. But for now I'm overbooked. Thanks for reminding me though.

Overbooked! Cute!

Diane D. wrote: "Overbooked! Cute!"

It's a phrase I use a lot around Goodreads these days. It's Goodreads' fault!

Not sure if this is the proper place to post a review, but since I wrote it as a recommendation I will paste it here.


Hissy Fit by Mary Kay Andrews

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I had heard from several friends how good Mary Kay Andrews books are, that when you pick one up you don't wish to set it down until you read it cover to cover. They were correct. This is not the first one of her books I have read but it is my favorite. I enjoy her storytelling skills and her descriptive powers.

Her characters are well formed and you get emotionally involved in the story. Even those characters you know you will want to like you can find yourself hating when they are being unreasonable or foolish.



Sure you can call it chick lit, but I call it a good story.







View all my reviews

I just finished reading The Peach Keeper and it was an enjoyable easy read but with enough plot to keep me interested.