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Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Comfort Reads by Megan Crane

I read a lot. I inhale new books, and always need to have a significant stack of novels nearby--because the thought of not having anything to read horrifies me. It's one of the reasons I can't even get on an airplane without at least eight books. What if we're delayed? What if we're diverted and have to spend the night in Denver? What if I finish what I'm reading and the next two, and have a five hour flight to get through? What then?!?!? Which equals eight books.

But as much as I love reading new books, there's nothing quite as sweet as the comfort re-read. The known quantity that I can sink into like a hug.

I just recently finished reading Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga, which was so good I wanted to sit with it for a while. I didn't want to jump into a new book that might not be able to stand up to all that vampire-y goodness. So I decided it was time for re-reading.

Which leads to Linda Howard. All roads lead to Linda Howard, in my opinion, and to these two books, back to back, at least once a year.

First I read Open Season. The story of Daisy Minor, small-town librarian who's fed up with her spinsterhood and decides to undergo a radical makeover--which brings her to the attention of the incredibly hot Sheriff Russo--as well as a killer--never fails to make me swoon, happily.

Then I read Mr. Perfect. The sizzling hot romance between Jaine Bright and her sexy cop neighbor Sam Donovan is delicious--and funny, as smartass Jaine finally meets a man she doesn't have to lessen herself for. The murder mystery heightens what's already a fantastic love story.

Sigh... These books make me so happy. Every time I read them!

What are your favorite comfort reads? Which books can you read over and over and over again?

52 comments:

Elizabeth W. said...

My favorite comfort read is The Westing Game, by Ellen Raskin. I've read it, pretty much annually since the 4th grade. Now, of course, I can zip through it in a few hours.

Fall weather puts me in the mood for a reread, which I'll probably be liveblogging soon.

- Elizabeth
elizabethwillse.wordpress.com

Deborah said...

I can read anything by Laura Jensen Walker again. I love her chick lit. And then if I really want some old school comfort reading, you can't beat Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series. One of the best children's historical fiction books ever. BBAW!

CrystalGB said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
CrystalGB said...

I can reread Lisa Kleypas' Dreaming of You and Elizabeth Hoyt's The Raven Prince. I love those books.

CrystalGB said...

I hope you get a lot of comments from the BBAW.

Unknown said...

I'm so like you.....I always have a book in my purse, the car, my tote. My favorite "comfort read" Jane Porter's books.....they inspire me.
BBAW

Majgie said...

I found out you were blogging today from my friend Amy and I'm glad I didn't miss your post!

I'm like you, I can't travel without a bag full of books. Usually, at least one or two of those books are 'comfort reads'... Just in case I'm stuck somewhere and frustrated... it's like having a friend around.

My comfort reads are older book of another genre. Elvanbane by Lackey and Norton, The Listeners by Pike.. that sort of thing. I have read my way through multiple copies of both of those books. When my father passed, all I wanted were his books, which I got. It made me smile to find 2 copies of Elvanbane (hardback both of them) in Daddy's books, both of them obviously well read.

Alyce said...

I like to re-read a lot of Anne McCaffrey books, especially the Pern series and the Crystal Singer books. I also like to read the Harry Potter books over and over. I found your post via My Friend Amy. Great post!

Tammy said...

I'm another who found this post through My Friend Amy. Wow, are we soul sisters! I never, ever travel without at least half a dozen books and I generally buy more when I get wherever I'm going. My prize-winning trip was when I went with 1 suitcase (about 3/4 full) and came back with 2, both over the weight limit. And we're not talking the small carry-on bags, either.

As far as rereads, Jane Austen never fails. I also love Bill Bryson. And a new favorite is a book called "Country Matters" by Michael Korda -- nonfiction about how he and his wife moved from NYC to a farm in the country. My husband and I dream of doing the same. I love that book!

Jen (Devourer of Books) said...

I read about your post on My Friend Amy's blog and I'm so glad I did, because I think you're my bookish twin. I need to have twice as many books as I could possibly read or finish at all times or I have some reading-anxiety. I've been reading Stephenie too and, while I'm not sure that I love her, the books are a ton of fun and are fairly addictive.

My biggest comfort reads are East of Eden and The Little Prince. I always know I can lose myself in them!

April said...

Hey Megan! I found your post via BBAW! I have read both Linda Howard books that you mentioned and loved them. I also have the Twilight Series sitting on my shelf patiently waiting for me. In all honesty, there are soooooo many books out there that I want to read, that I have yet to reread any book, that I can recall anyway.
I had to laugh when you mentioned the tower of books that must travel with you. I am the same way. The idea of having a few spare minutes and no book to read absolutely horrifies me, lol!! Ahhh, the life of a book addict, lol!

Julie P. said...

Amy sent me here for Book Blogger Appreciation Week. Megan is one of her favorite authors, and I have to agree that I loved NAMES MY SISTERS CALL ME!

I am just like you in that I have a fear of not having a book with me. Down-time -- I could be squeezing in some reading time!

My comfort books are anything by Michael Connelly!

bookworm said...

I love re-reading my old Agatha Chrisite novels, they seem new every time. I'll have to tell My Friend Amy about your posting, she'd really enjoy it!

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Oh gosh, my comfort read is probably The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I don't know why...it's such a crazy and often depressing novel, but it's also has a great outlook on life and I just love reading it....speaking of which, I think it's about time I read it again!

I have Names My Sisters Call Me, by the way, and I definitely must be reading that soon as well.

-Lauren
BBAW

Shari Anton said...

I'm in the minority (not unusual for me :)) because I don't re-read. I have lists of books people have recommended and a TBR pile that's threatening to topple over. Too many new books and authors and too little time. Anyone else so afflicted?

Shari, waving at Megan :)

Ali said...

I am so not a re-reader! In fact I won't even read the same books aloud with my younger son that I read with my oldest (picture books, yes. Novels, no). Oh: and happy Book Blogger Appreciation Week!

Nancy said...

A third non-re-reader here! I was so happy to see those last 2 comments. So many books on my TBR pile with so little time to read, re-reading seems a waste of time to me.

BBAW!

Nise' said...

My favorite re-reads are Pride and Prejudice, Cold Sassy Tree, and The Outlander Series. When I travel and have to pay because my luggage weighs too much, it is the books that I packed! My Friend Amy has highly recommended your books!

wordlily said...

I often think of re-reading books, but I rarely actually do so. One I have re-read, several times (but not recently) is Green Rose of Furley. Most of the time, though, I charge forward in my reading. When I do re-read, it's usually when I don't have a new book I want to read, the library is closed, but I'm desperate for a book. I'm glad I stopped over from My Friend Amy's blog.

http://wordlily.wordpress.com

Rebekah said...

I'm going to have to check out her books. Those sound really good to me.

One of my favorite books to read and read again is Douglas Adam's The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy compilation. I love this one. Also, while I haven't read it more than once yet, I know that I'll be reading The Notebook and The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks many times over the years to come. These are probably two of my favorite books ever.

RebekahC
littleminx@cox.net

BBAW!

cindysloveofbooks said...

My husband laughs at me when we travel as I am known to bring at least a half dozen or more books with me. You just never know whats going to happen and I would rather have stuff to read then nothing.

My friend Amy told me about your blogging here so I came to check it out. I have read Linda's books.

If I reread something its always Flowers in the attic by VC Andrews. I don't know why I do but I do. Even though I have a huge stack of TBRs.

Maureen said...

Open Season is one of my all-time favorites. Daisy is just such a great heroine. BBAW!

MaMa said...

My favorite comfort reads are Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont, anything by A. Manette Ansay, and Stephen King's Salem's Lot. The latter two I can read over and over, but also love reading Lawrence Block and Patricia Cornwell - never tire of reading those authors.

Lisa
mistyfuji [at] yahoo [dot] com

MaMa said...

Forgot to mention in my last post, I found you over at My Friend Amy.

Lisa
Mistyfuji [at] yahoo [dot] com

Cathy said...

Hi Megan, my friend Amy sent me over, and it was nice to get to know a new author.

My comfort reads are anything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Janet Evanovich for their wonderful humor, and any of the Promises Series by Sarah McCarty when I am in the mood for sexy romance.

caity_mack(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Love this post! I'm glad My Friend Amy suggested I pop on over today.

My favorite comfort books are the Harry Potter series... I can read those books over and over again, always find new things to love, and never get sick of them.

heather.oroark@comcast.net
http://heatherlo.wordpress.com

M. said...

hello megan,
came your (this blog's) way via BBAW. if i'd gone by the blogname alone, i'd have thought this was about fashion accessories!
a book i read again and again is 'crocodile on the sandbank' by elizabeth peters (the first amelia peabody mystery)and 'mr impossible' by loretta chase (the second carsington brothers story). both egyptian, both fabulous.

Sunny said...

That cracked me up how you came up with the number 8 for how many books to take!

Ok, honestly, I'm not a big re-reader. I'm way to busy reading new stuff and cant wait to read more new stuff.

Blog hopping here from BBAW!

Anonymous said...

I can't read anything over again. I hope that I'm not the only one. I much prefer to start something completely different. I don't like watching movies twice either so I guess it's just a personal quirk.
I enjoyed the interview very much but my jaw dropped when I heard you couldn't get on a plane without at least eight books! Holy cow! I'm so glad BBAW events this week led me to your blog because I have now found something I would like to revisit. :-)

Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks said...

Hey there! My Friend Amy sent me over to read your great guest post :)

Comfort read - the Jan Karon Mitford series. It's like *Little House on the Prairie* for grown-ups!

Rebecca @ The Book Lady's Blog said...

This is my first time at your site, and I'm so glad My Friend Amy mentioned it today!

I didn't enjoy the Twilight books, but I'll look into the others you've recommended. My favorite comfort book is A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving.

Estella said...

I don't do rereads. they just don't hold my interest the second time.

Jane said...

Anything by Julie Garwood and Lisa Kleypas. I can reread their whole backlist of historical romances and never get tired of them.

asdfjkl; said...

My favorite comfort read is The Children of the Red King Series. When I don't feel like starting a new book at the moment or I just want to read a favorite, my Charlie Bone books are sitting right there easy to grab. I could do with a little relaxing with all this BBAW excitement.

TheBookworm
www.inthecurrent.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I found out you were blogging today from My Friend Amy after checking out all the BBAW blogs. I'm glad I caught you!

In all honesty, and I'm probably the only book addict, I can't re-read a book. I've not found one yet!

Wendy said...

I found you through BBAW! I will never have to worry about not having anything to read...I have so many unread books screaming at me from the TBR mountain that it scares me sometimes :)

Bev(QB) said...

"It's one of the reasons I can't even get on an airplane without at least eight books."

All your reasons, plus I just don't know what I'll be in the mood for, so I have to take a varied selection just in case, right?

"All roads lead to Linda Howard"
Funny you should mention Howard, because one of the other blogs I discovered through MyFriendAmy's BBAW list, was discussing her just the other day. I assume you read Cry No More. I sobbed so much through that one that I've never been able to re-read it. Have you?

I know I need a comfort re-read when no new book seems to be capturing my interest. Depending on my mood, those re-reads have included Stephanie Laurens' Cynster series, particularly book 1, Devil's Bride. Madelynne Ellis' A Gentleman's Wager, Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series, or sometimes, instead of a re-read, I'll buy an audio book and LISTEN to an old favorite instead.

I just finished listening to all the Karen Marie Moning Highlander series on audio and the narrator, Phil Gigante, turns each book into an amazing performance. The stories seemed completely new to me.

apple blossom said...

I have too many books in my tbr pile to read any again let alone third or fourth times. However, I think new author Julie Lessman's Boston Daughters series I'd be able to read again. They are A Passion Most Pure and Passion Redeemed. The rank up there if you haven't read them go ahead try one dare ya. You'll be hooked as I was. Thanks. (My friend Amy. HeHeHeHe.)

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Dina said...

Hi Megan, welcome to one of my fav blogs, but I also saw it posted at My Friend Amy. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm another who found this post through My Friend Amy. I read just about anything. I just read Kate Walkers Alcolar family triology. And Border Lass by Amanda Scott.

Heather said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Heather said...

I have to say first thanks to My Friend Amy for sending me over here. I have just added you to my blog list, as I love your blog.

I just discovered Linda Howard and I have to say that so far I am loving her.

A comfort read for me is anything by Nora Roberts or Julie Garwood. I have read and re-read The Three Fates by Nora so many times that it has finally fallen apart :(

Anonymous said...

I find inspirational stories comforting ... they give me warm fuzzies. I don't think I've ever read the same book twice except by accident :) There are just so many other new books to read. I drifted over from My Friend Amy's BBAW!

ols[dot]moonmaiden[at]gmail[dot]com

windycindy said...

Hello! I love Agatha Christie books!
They are full of suspense and mystery, but not terrifying. One of my favorite characters of hers of Poirot! These books I can read over and over and never tire of them. Thanks and BBAW sent me! Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Jena said...

LOL--my favorite comfort read is Deerskin by Robin McKinley (also probably my favorite book), a grown-up fairy tale. I have three copies, but they're all lent out (and 4000 miles away) right now, so I'm waiting for the local library to get a copy in so I can read it again. I hope it helps me recalibrate; I've been feeling *off* when I'm reading. I'm trying to make McKinley's Beauty do the trick, but it's less complex (it's a YA book) and I really miss my Deerskin. I may have to go buy another copy...

And as to vampire books, I also love rereading are The Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith--faves from high school. way better than Meyer's series as far as I'm concerned. (I admit I'm biased--I was less discerning in high school than I am now. But anyone who thinks Edward's a hottie really needs to read this series--which, lucky everyone, has just been re-released!)

and I take several books on the plane/train/in the car with me because I'm afraid I'll find myself hating one or more of them. (it's happened. and my hubby hates it when I don't like what I'm reading; I get really cranky.)

Carol M said...

I found your blog at My Friend Amy's blog. I always carry books with me. Reading always helps me when I'm waiting. I hate to wait! lol My comfort reads would be anything by Nora Roberts.

Book Sp(l)ot said...

BBAW is really helpng me find some great authors and books!

I too have a problem with the number of books I take on planes or trips (you should see me on car trips...even if they're only a few ours) because I always worry something will be a fast read or maybe I won't like a certain book...

and I don't really reread books but Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier and The Awakening by Kate Chopin aer about the only two I go back over :)

Bonnie said...

I can relate! I always have to have a book with me and feel lost if I am not reading a book! I don't tend to re-read books often. My comfort books are books by Adriana Trigiani and Alexander McCall Smith. My friend Amy sent me from the BBAW posts and she is a fan!!

darbyscloset said...

My Friend Am told me your blog was up and I can so relate to the 8 books on the flight....I mean what if you are just not into a mystery right now....my 8 are usually made up of fiction, mystery, novel, self discovery, etc., each a different type of read. My comfort read is "The Secret Garden", nothing like going back to my favorite book as a child!!!
Darby
darbyscloset (at) yahoo (dot) com

Madeleine said...

My favorite comfort reads are any Anita Shrve books. They are romantic, writen in such a beautiful prose.

Anita Yancey said...

I also like Mr.Perfect, and have read it more than once. I also enjoy reading the Stepanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich over again. There is many more, but to many to list all. I came over to your site from My Friend Amy's.
ayancey@dishmail.net

Tarasview said...

I'm here from BBAW too and my favourite comfort reads are drama's that make me cry... why that is comforting I don't know :)