We all have them, that one book you turn to when you need a little comfort. If it’s a paperback it’s probably been read so many times it’s taken the shape of your hand, and if it’s a hardback then it’s possible the spine is cracked through rereading. Mine is the Harry Potter series, it makes me feel much better every time I read it, and even though I can quote it almost word for word, I still love getting lost in the pages.
With this in mind, we asked you for your favourite comfort reads and your replies were wide and varied with many books suggested. Thanks for everyone who contributed, and from your results we have your 32 top comfort reads, guaranteed to brighten your day.
Harry Potter Series – J. K Rowling
And when you’re feeling a bit low, what more could you want to make you feel a little better than a delve into the magical world of Potter and friends?
Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen
There aren’t many more comfortable things than a classic you have been rereading for years so we’re not surprised that Pride and Prejudice takes a high up place on our list.
The Bible
And what better comfort is there than to lean on your faith, whatever that might be?
Chronicles of Narnia – C.S Lewis
When you’re feeling blue, through the wardrobe for you!
The Chronicles of Narnia US
The Chronicles of Narnia UK
Anne of Green Gables – Lucy Maud Montgomery
A childhood favourite of many, when you’re feeling blue you head for Green Gables and lose yourself in this other world.
Lord of the Rings – J. R. R Tolkien
Where better to vanish when you’re feeling a bit glum than Middle Earth with this wonderfully woven tale.
Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
Romance, beautiful settings, and a wonderful tale, what more do you need to bring a little comfort than Jane Eyre.
Dark is Rising Series – Susan Cooper
Fantasy is where it’s at if you’re feeling glum and many of you agreed, voting up the Dark is Rising Series.
The Hobbit – J. R. R Tolkien
The second entry from Tolkien comes with The Hobbit, another favourite comfort read for many.
Percy Jackson Series – Rick Riordan
Rick Riordan is a hugely popular children’s writer, popular with adults too. The Percy Jackson adventures get many mentions on the page and we’re not surprised to find it tenth on our list.
So that’s the top ten but we promised you thirty and here are the others.
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett
Wuthering Heights – Emily Bronte
Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
A Little Princess – Frances Hodgson Burnett
Faraway Tree Series – Enid Blyton
Winnie the Pooh – A. A Milne
A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle
Dune – Frank Herbert
Alice in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
The Art of Asking – Amanda Palmer
Discworld series – Terry Pratchett
Eragon – Christopher Paolini
Gone with the Wind – Margaret Mitchell
Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
Sherlock Holmes Mysteries – Arthur Conan Doyle
The Little Prince – Antoine De Saint-Exupery
The Obnoxious Jerks – Stephen Manes
To Kill To Mockingbird – Harper Lee
Now go and curl up with a book, we insist!
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My favourite comfort books, guaranteed to make me laugh, are the Irish RM books by Somerville and Ross.
The books I choose when I’m sick or feeling low are: !. My family and other animals by Gerald Durrell 2. 84 Charing Cross Rd by Helene Hanff and anything by Dorothy L. Sayer.