Top Ten Tuesday: Comfort Books

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week is actually a freebie week, where we get to choose whatever topic we wish to write about. I’ve chosen Top Ten Comfort Books.

Just like comfort food, we all have certain books we like to read when we’re feel down; books that can cheer us up and bring us out of almost any rut we find ourselves in. These can be books that make us laugh, or just make us feel happy. Here are my list of books (in no particular order) that I can read, and read again whenever I need to improve my mood.

1. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

I discovered this book a little later than most, I think I read it for the first time about four or five years ago, but I loved it almost immediately. I currently carry a very battered cheap paperback version around with me in my purse so I have something to pull out if I have a few minutes of downtime.

2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Believe it or not, the first time I read this book in high school I hated it. I thought Darcy was just a jerk and couldn’t understand why girls would swoon over him so much. But I read it again a few years later and fell in love with it (as most girls do eventually). Now, I probably read this book at least once a year, and usually when I need a little bit of cheering up.

3. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

When I was in college I would reread the entire Harry Potter series every year over winter break and every time a new book came out. But unfortunately I just don’t have the time I used to to read all seven books, and I’ve only read The Deathly Hallows about three times (as opposed to the likely seven or eight at least of the first three books). While the second half of the series has a lot of emotions and feels, this first book always puts me in a good mood. Reading about Harry’s first year at Hogwarts is almost like coming home. I love it so much.

4. Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster

Jen Lancaster never fails to make me laugh. The first time I read this book I was in a slump and frustrated with where I was in life, and then I read this book. This can make you feel good about almost anything. Plus it’s hilarious. I love every one of Lancaster’s memoirs, but this will always be one of my favorites.

5. Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

The first time I read this book I remember thinking, “He gets me.” Finally, someone who wrote non-fiction Christian books, but felt the same way about a lot of topics as I do. It was very refreshing, and I still read this book once in a while when I’m feeling disheartened.

6. The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

I grew up on these books, and then I would read this one to my cabin every week at summer camp (new campers each week). I loved the story, the possibility of traveling to new worlds, and having a happy ending.

7. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

I love Bilbo Baggins, and I just can’t get enough of this book. The Lord of the Rings is too long to reread frequently (though it’s getting close to time to read it again) but The Hobbit is short enough to pick up once a year or so and read through. Especially since a friend of mine recently gave me a nice faux leather bound pocket version.

8. Stardust by Neil Gaiman

I own several copies of this book in paperback and graphic novel and absolutely love it every time I read it. It’s perfect for when you want a fun, adult fairy tale adventure. It’s also a fairly quick read so it’s great for a reread; in fact, I just read it again this summer.

9. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen

Really, any of Allen’s novels are great comfort reads. They’re light, easy reads with just a hint of magic in them, and I love every one, though Garden Spells is probably still my favorite.

10. The Martian by Andy Weir

I know, I know. I’m obsessed with this book. My apologies. But seriously, there are so many good, humorous parts in this that I just need to pick up and flip it to almost any page and it will make me laugh. I’ve even highlighted all my favorite parts when I read it a second time – and that was quite a few. I’ve already read it twice, and it will definitely be kept in mind when I need a laugh, or when I need to remind myself that sometimes humanity can do great things.

So, what books would you consider your “comfort books”? What books do you tend to gravitate towards when you need cheering up?