Rereading books for comfort

[Anonymous]

I wondered if anyone else does this? Over the holidays my BIL was diagnosed with brain cancer. Him and my H are very close and it's been madness for the past month. I'm someone who finds relaxation and comfort in reading, but this month I've tried starting new books and I just couldn't get into them. So I started rereading a book I've read a half dozen times before, and it's soothing and making me feel better.

Is this just me? One of the books I tried starting is a book that's gotten a lot of positive buzz and I waited for a couple months to get it from the library. But reading it I'm just like, meh. I don't think I'm going to get even 25% in before it's due.

P.S. My BIL has an excellent doctor who is hopeful. My H and I have been together for 30 years so he's like my own brother too. I just hate seeing everyone so scared and uncertain, especially my niece and nephew. Cancer sucks.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry 😞 yes, rereading books (especially happy ones) is an extremely common way to deal with anxiety. Helpful to know everything works out in the end. Reread away!!!

[Anonymous]

So sorry about what you all are going through. I absolutely find comfort in rereading. Or reading new books from familiar authors. Enjoy it. You can come back to the trendy new books when you are in the right frame of mind.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I’m a big comfort re-reader, especially times when I’ve been grieving. Sorry about your bil.

[Anonymous]

I’m so sorry for your family — and yes, I absolutely comfort read in times of stress. Sometimes things that are totally escapist from my current situation, sometimes vaguely similar but more epic/with a happy ending. Either way it helps.

[Anonymous]

Yes absolutely. I find it so comforting.

I am so sorry.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, PPs. I think for now I'm going to stick with my "comfort" genre (historical romance, lol) and maybe try to reread books from my favorite author. If anyone has some feel good, easy on the brain fiction recommendations, I'd certainly be open to them right now!

[Anonymous]

I’ve been going through a re-reading phase too. I don’t know why, perhaps because I’m a little depressed and don’t have the headspace for learning something new.

I’m glad you’ve got comfort books to lean on right now, OP. Hugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. I think for now I'm going to stick with my "comfort" genre (historical romance, lol) and maybe try to reread books from my favorite author. If anyone has some feel good, easy on the brain fiction recommendations, I'd certainly be open to them right now!

Can you branch out into contemporary romance? Ali Hazewood’s Love Theoreticaly comes to mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. I think for now I'm going to stick with my "comfort" genre (historical romance, lol) and maybe try to reread books from my favorite author. If anyone has some feel good, easy on the brain fiction recommendations, I'd certainly be open to them right now!

West with the Night by Beryl Markham is wonderful, easy on the brain, somehow soothing (nonfiction, but somehow very alive and romantic).

[Anonymous]

I absolutely reread for comfort. I am a really fast reader so sometimes I reread just so I don’t have to bother finding something new, too.

I reread the entire Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings series every year or two. I also reread Jane Austin books and Middlemarch.

That first year of Covid was super hard for me - I work in public health, family are all health care workers in the hospital, and a parent died of COVID in the first wave. I was so overwhelmed and sad I simply couldn’t read, and reading has been my escape since I was 8 or 9. I knew I was coming out of a dark place when I could reread books for comfort. It was a good day when I picked up a new book again.

Sending best wishes to your family, OP. Reread away, and feel better.

[Anonymous]

I have reread all of Laurie Colwin's books, including her two about cooking, multiple times. They are my comfort books.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry about your BIL.

I have reread several books for comfort. I think I've reread The Mysts of Avalon four or five times. Same with A Prayer for Owen Meany.

[Anonymous]

I’m so sorry, OP.

I am a huge re-reader. Reading a new book is exciting and can be great, but it’s also a risk and it takes a lot of energy to learn new characters, follow a plot, etc. Of course that’s wonderful and important for intellectual engagement, but re-reading a favorite book is like spending time with people you love. I have read the Discovery of Witches series probably 8 times. It’s like the characters are friends.

(Now I sound super weird, I realize…)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks, PPs. I think for now I'm going to stick with my "comfort" genre (historical romance, lol) and maybe try to reread books from my favorite author. If anyone has some feel good, easy on the brain fiction recommendations, I'd certainly be open to them right now!

My comfort authors are Georgette Heyer, Dorothy L Sayers, Jane Austen, and KJ Charles so I hear you on historical romance as a comfort genre. If you also like murder mysteries, Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Micheals (same author, multiple pen names) has an extensive bibliography to work through and I really enjoy the romances in her books.