5 Comfort Reads To Get Into This Fall
Photo by Tim Samuel
Do you have a comfort book? A story you return to when the real world feels a little scary or overwhelming? I recently created a list of books to reach for when I feel nostalgic, weary, or crave the comfort of the familiar. These books do not have a great deal in common; some are children’s books, a good deal are fantasy, many are set in bygone eras, and the protagonists are all ages and genders. They have transported me to magical worlds, Prince Edward Island, Hogwarts, and the Metropol Hotel.
The only real threads that unite them are their sentimentality to me and their messages of hope. Each book, in its own unique way, emphasizes hope in the face of all odds; a motif I find myself longing for when life feels draining. Without further ado, here are my favorites! What are some of your comfort reads?
01 | Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
A classic in children’s literature, this story captivates all ages. A coming-of-age tale about four sisters learning to navigate the journey from childhood to womanhood, Little Women brings to mind cozy hearths with family gathered, feisty heroines, and the beauty of life at home. Additionally, Little Men and Jo’s Boys continue the March sisters’ stories in a sentimental and satisfying fashion.
Alternate with a similar feel: Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery.
02 | The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is a historical novel written with the unique plot structure of various letters between characters, this story will have you falling in love with each character and wanting to write them back. Delving into the importance of literature for community and hope, this book chronicles the lives of various unlikely friends during the German occupation of the British isle of Guernsey. The audiobook is lovely as it narrates each letter with the characters’ various dialects.
Alternate which also focuses on the women back home during WWII: The Chillbury Ladies’ Choir by Jennifer Ryan.
03 | A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Count Alexander Rostov is sentenced to house arrest in a luxury hotel, The Metropol, while political upheaval occurs outside his windows in twentieth century Russia. The Count is charming, wise, and persistent in his pursuit of meaning, connection, and purpose. Towles writes A Gentleman in Moscow with beauty and wit and this story will pull you in and hold you captivated. I adore the audio book, narrated by Nicholas Guy Smith, and have listened to it no less than six times.
Alternate, which may come as a surprise: Wonder by R.J. Palacio. While Towles writes for adults and Palacio’s work is applicable starting in middle school, they each examine crucial moments in life and the ability to find beauty and friendship regardless of your circumstances.
04 | Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
A magical story that needs little introduction; allow yourself to be whisked away to Hogwarts, a school that trains young witches and wizards, and follow Harry and his friends as they adventure in the wizarding world. With strong themes of found family and the ever-present twinkle of spells, Harry Potter is a great read in print or audiobook with narration by Jim Dale or Stephen Fry.
Alternate that also contains youthful and magical vibes: Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan.
05 | The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Is there anything that fills us with wonder quite like the thought of being transported to a magical land by walking into our wardrobe? Lewis wrote with the perfect balance of whimsy, life lessons, and lovable yet relatable characters. While some debate the order in which to read the Narnia series, my advice is to “enter through the wardrobe” and begin with the first published work, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
Alternate written by Lewis’ dear friend and with a more structured fantasy world: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.
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