I think my reading habits resemble a pendulum--swinging back and forth. I'm going to stop reading new books until I finish what I have started. No, wait, I want to read this right now, to heck with having so many books started. It's a little exasperating to think about sometimes.
I know I shouldn't do it, but I do it anyway. I had the sudden and overwhelming urge to start reading Agatha Christie's The Body in the Library yesterday, so I pulled it from the shelf and am engrossed in the not entirely safe but wholly entertaining world of St. Mary Mead. There is something so comforting about Miss Marple. When I am reading a Miss Marple mystery I feel like I am in very capable hands and nothing too terrible can go wrong (except the occasional body of course). She's smart and savvy and no nonsense--I like that in a fictional character. I can't imagine Jane Marple ever falling apart.
I think comfort reads, like this Agatha Christie novel, have made up the bulk of my reading choices this year. It's been a challenging year for me for a variety of reasons, and I am not sad to see 2010 come to an end. I'm trying to be optimistic that 2011 is going to be much better, but whatever happens I will always have my books to turn to for a little escapism or entertainment or whatever I happen to need them for at that particular moment. So I was thinking today of books or authors that I often turn when life is being difficult. I wish I could say I picked a good edifying novel or something that would challenge me to think in a different way, but I almost always choose a book that feels safe and warm (even though it may be a mystery), that will take me outside my own world at least for a little while. A book to snuggle up with under a nice warm blanket to forget all my worries.
So here are my top ten personal favorite comfort reads:
Learning to Swim, Clare Chambers -- Actually this novel is interchangeable with In a Good Lightas I love both equally. I suppose it could be called a comfort read, but it's an intelligent and well written comfort read. Aside from being an excellent coming of age story, it's about family and friendship, as well as love and second chances. Chambers is an excellent writer, and the story is funny and clever, but never in an obnoxious, self-conscious way that clever books can sometimes be. I'm not entirely sure I can explain why I love this book so much. I think I'm drawn to the characters who are likable though far from perfect--the sort of people I wouldn't mind knowing in real life.
Chocolat, Joanne Harris -- I've lost count of how many times I've read this book. I admire Vianne Rocher for reinventing her life so many times but knowing when and where to stop and find and accept happiness.
Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen -- Probably any Jane Austen novel would do, and while this is actually not my favorite of her works it is a traditional boy and girl dislike each other intensely story but come around later to each other's better qualities and fall in love. A formula that occurs often in literature, but never with the verve and wit that marks Austen's work.
Miss Marple mysteries by Agatha Christie and Daisy Dalrymple mysteries by Carola Dunn -- Any book by either author will do. Both authors have created totally delightful female sleuths and no matter the dastardly crime, these worlds aren't too terribly awful. As a matter of fact the stories are quite often told with a sense of humor. I could happily curl up with any of their books.
Coming Home, Rosamund Pilcher -- How is it that I don't bat an eyelash hefting around a nearly 1,000 page book like this one, but there are others that simply defeat me? It's a completely absorbing coming of age tale set against the backdrop of World War II. And whilst this would probably be considered "women's fiction" (whatever that means), I assure you it is a well written, carefully plotted page turner. Somehow I feel like saying all that works against the book, but it's not meant to. I loved this book--for me it just fit a need so perfectly, which sometimes only a book like this will do.
On Borrowed Wings, Chandra Prasad -- This is most thoroughly a comfort read, if only because I know how things end and find the book a completely satisfying read. Not all the questions are answered, but this is such a wonderful story questioning gender roles, and crossing class and cultural boundaries that it may be comforting to read, but it is most certainly in no way fluffy. Ultimately it's a story about growing up and finding your place in the world, something surely most of us can identify with.
The Corinthian, Georgette Heyer -- Really, any Heyer novel will do, but this is my favorite of her books that I've read so far. The Corinthian is a light-hearted comedy of manners. It's quite similar to The Talisman Ring (though better in my opinion) in that it is very much an adventure story with all sorts of twists and turns and misunderstandings--not surprising since the heroine spends the entire novel dressed as a boy! What I like about Heyer is you know all will be well at the end of the story.
Greenery Street, Denis Mackail -- Reading this book is like watching one of those sentimental old B&W films with a spunky yet glamorous heroine (complete with cloche hat and mini fur wrap) and handsome leading man who is ever the elegant gentleman. Only don't worry, it might be sentimental but it's never over the top, much more just a lovely story that you simply want to escape into for a while. Greenery Street is a portrait of a marriage, circa 1925. What drew me into this story of one couple's first year of marriage (a.k.a the "magic year") was the fact that it's such a happy marriage, which is not to say there weren't a few bumps along the way.
Diary of a Provincial Lady, E.M. Delafield -- This is one for the charming category. It's the sort of book that you can easily pick up, read a few passages of and set aside again for the next time you need a little light-hearted pick me up. Or like me, you simply devour because it's so witty and clever you have to know what adventure the Provincial Lady is about to embark upon next. I can only say I feel an affinity for anyone who writes, "Am struck, as usual, by infinite superiority of other people's food to my own." On more than one occasion she seemed to read my mind.
The Enchanted April, Elizabeth von Arnim -- You might already be familiar with this story-four women come together in Italy, and it's gorgeous, and warm and tranquil. The flowers are in bloom, and the view is of a perfect, deep blue sea. Somehow it's magical and their lives begin to change and transform. This is an utterly lovely book. Von Arnim infuses the story with just enough unselfconscious humor to keep it nice and grounded. This is definitely one for a rainy day (or any time you need a nice comfortable book to escape into).
Do you have a special book or author you like to turn to when you need a break from the world?