My Favorite Comfort Reads
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I think we can all agree that so far this year sucks, right?
We just passed the year-long mark of quarantine, and things are vaguely better, but also not. (I know, I’m very profound) It’s hard to muster up the energy to read any sweeping epics or delve into a fractured family when just watching the news is draining.
So don’t.
These are six of my most beloved comfort reads, in no particular order. Whenever I’m sad, or anxious, or dealing with a major reading slump, I turn to these. Some of them are laugh-out-loud funny; some are made for curling up with a cozy blanket and a mug of hot chocolate; some of them are old favorites, and some are new discoveries, but each of them has made me happy in a different way. It was really hard for me to cull this list down to a manageable number, so I’ll probably do a follow-up post at some point. I hope these books help you find your bliss.
Just kidding. I’m actually hoping one of these will make you pee your pants laughing.
1. The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy
The absolutely hilarious story of a young woman on her own in 1950s Paris. Sally Jay Gorce, with her pink hair and her desperate attempts to be a ‘woman of the world,’ is adorable, and oh so chaotic. Elaine Dundy said that the book is semi-autobiographical; “All the impulsive, outrageous things my heroine does, I did. All the sensible things she did, I made up.” Don’t read this if you’re looking for a book with a lot of plot and characters that act logically, because you will not find it in dear Sally Jay. Instead, read it for the woman who says things like this: “The vehemence of my moral indignation surprised me. Was I beginning to have standards and principles, and, oh dear, scruples? What were they, and what would I do with them, and how much were they going to get in my way?”
Stay gold, Sally Jay. Stay gold.
2. All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
My mom bought me this book when I was nine years old, because I had decided I wanted to be a veterinarian. An insane idea really; I am not who you want to be performing dangerous and tricky surgeries on your pet. This book may have cured me of my veterinary ambitions, but I still absolutely loved it. The stories are so wholesome, funny, and idyllic. Herriot writes about his adventures with humor and care. I’m the type of person who cries the second those sad animal commercials come on the TV, so I usually tend to avoid reading any stories about animals because they end up dying at the end. But this book is so positive and uplifting. I promise that you won’t ugly cry so hard that you give yourself a headache. It’s the ultimate comfort read.
3. Spoiled Brats by Simon Rich
This book is so funny. I’ve read pretty much everything that Simon Rich has written, and this one is my favorite. The stories range from a harrowing view of a family of hamsters struggling to survive in a kindergarten classroom; a helicopter mom who thinks her demonic son is merely “gifted”; and—my favorite—an immigrant in 1900s Brooklyn who falls into a vat of pickle juice and wakes up in the present-day, where he meets his vastly underwhelming great-great-grandson—named Simon Rich. This last one was made into a movie starring Seth Rogen as both the pickler and the grandson, and is available on HBO Max. But it’s definitely worth it to read the story first. I laughed so many times reading this book that I’m pretty sure my cat thought I was crazy.
4. The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune
This book is like getting a giant hug. It’s such a funny, tender story about what makes a true family. Never before have I read a book where I sobbed over a button. As soon as I finished I wanted to flip right to the beginning and start over. Regrettably, I checked it out from the library, so I had to give it back. It was so original. I loved all the characters. Don’t ask me to pick a favorite, it’s simply impossible. This is one of my favorite books of all time. It’s just an absolute gem; It’s like getting an instant boost of serotonin. I honestly wish I could buy a thousand copies of this book, and just walk around my neighborhood giving them out to every person I see. Is that a normal reaction? We’ll say it is.
5.Wow, No Thank You, by Samantha Irby
Read this if you need a pick-me-up from the garbage dump our world has become. Samantha Irby is an absolute goddess of humor and toilet jokes. (I also recommend listening to her guest episode on The Stacks podcast.) This book is intensely readable, and so, so relatable. Everything in it is just pure gold: “Sure, sex is fun, but have you ever been to Trader Joe’s right after a restock?”
“Hello, 911? I’ve been lying awake for an hour each night, reliving a two-second awkward experience I had in front of a casual acquaintance three years ago, for eight months.” This woman gets me; she’s my hero. I laughed so hard and so loudly, that I’m surprised we didn’t get a noise complaint, because I sounded like a hyena. I regret nothing.
6. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
This list was originally supposed to be just five books, but then I realized it would not be complete without kindred spirit Anne Shirley. Objectively, she’s the best redheaded orphan out there (sorry-not-sorry, Annie.) My dad bought me the box set when I was eight, and I still have them. Admittedly, I had to replace the first three because I carried them everywhere and they basically disintegrated. What can I say? I just love them. I love reading about Anne falling into the “depths of despair,” and her academic competition with Gilbert Blythe (swoon). I love all the gorgeous imagery of Prince Edward Island. If I could live anywhere in the world, it would be Avonlea. Bonus: You can watch the fantastic miniseries adaptation starring Megan Follows, which is perfect.