Wednesday, February 9, 2011

When All You Need Is A Good Book

One of the best things about reading is that no matter how screwed up your life gets there is almost always a book guaranteed to help you forget real life, even if it's only for a few minutes here and there. I think everyone has their own way of coping with unexpected changes that life throws at us, but if you're reading this, then you've probably reached for a book when you've needed comfort, or a break or just something to help you forget your own troubles.

As a a writer, I'm lucky enough to also have the luxury of losing myself in my writing, but sometimes even that isn't possible. I've been offline for almost a month, trying hard to write my way through some of my own life changes and have been coming up against a brick wall. Thankfully with a few clicks, I can have a book at my fingertips via my much-loved iPod Touch.

Things have since improved on the writing front (finally) but I would have been lost without some great stories to escape into over the last few weeks. Books like Patricia Brigg's Silver Born and Karen Marie Moning's Shadowfever. The latter in particular is a book I waited a really, really long time for and I loved every Barron-filled page. That man definitely makes the short list for my favorite/most memorable heroes.


I also devoured the last book in Tara Janzen's Steel Street series. I was beyond excited when I knew that lost JT wasn't quite so lost and would close out the series. My only complaint was that I wish there had been more JT/Jane scenes with so many other characters getting more screen time than the other books in the series. Can't complain too much though when it meant getting to check in with Quinn, Hawkins, Creed, Zach and Kid (missed C. Smith Rydell though). Those Steel Street guys are all on my short list too. :)

So what book or comfort reads have you turned to when your life has taken an unexpected twist?

5 comments:

Meg Benjamin said...

I reread stuff when I'm in a funk. Elizabeth Lowell's Donovan Family series is good. Ditto Loretta Chase's books about the Carsington brothers. My new fav is Kerry Greenwood's series about Corinna Chapman and her bakery in Melbourne. All of them will take your mind off things, but Corinna will also make you mouth water!

PG Forte said...

I'm with Meg. when real life is uncertain, I reread old favorites. I guess I have a lower than average tolerance for suspense. There's something insanely comforting about getting lost in a story that you know won't surprise you.

kelly said...

On the other side of the coin, I don't know if rereading something would sufficiently take my mind off a whole whack of problems. In fact, much as I love to read, if I'm REALLY disturbed about something, I have a hard time concentrating and find myself staring into space instead of the book!

Syd I just finished Loose Ends too! Totally agree with your comments! I'm so sad though that the series is over.

Meg Benjamin said...

Hey guys, I'm doing a reading with Tara Janzen on Tuesday (gulp). I'll pass on your comments if I get a chance.

kelly said...

Meg! OMG! So jealous! Actually I think Erin already told her about me and my fangirl love of her at RomCon last year. But you can tell her again.
:-)