Comfort Reads by Elisabeth Naughton
It’s rainy here, the holidays are over, the decorations are down, school’s back in session and everyday life is grinding back in gear. I’m a creatures of habit, and when stressed I turn to the things that comfort me. Tonight that was macaroni and cheese. Major comfort food. It’s amazing how something so simple can make you feel so much better.
This past summer I spent some time recovering from an unexpected illness. I ate a lot of comfort food. When I couldn’t write, I turned to comfort books and authors who always make me feel good. I felt guilty—I mean, I had stacks of new authors and books friends had given me while I was recovering that I’d been looking forward to reading—but the unexpected isn’t always what we need, is it?
A dear friend of mine recently lost her mother. She and I talk daily, and she’s been having a lot of trouble writing again. When I asked her if she’d been reading, she said, “Old books. Favorite authors. Comfort reads.” I know the feeling. Sometimes, that’s exactly what we need from a book. To be swept away, to forget, to feel good again. And we know with our “keeper” books, we’re guaranteed to get just that.
That’s my goal as an author. To be a “comfort read”. To have readers pick up one of my books when they’re down, or stressed or just need to relax. To reread one of my stories again and again because the feeling at the end is a comfort to them. I’d love to hear form a reader someday who said, “I reread Shane & Hailey’s story in STOLEN SEDUCTION because it just made me feel good.” That’s what I crave. That’s what most authors crave. To be…well…macaroni and cheese. Really, is there anything better than that?
How about you? What are some of your comfort reads—books or authors? I’d love to hear your list. In honor of the release of my new book, STOLEN SEDUCTION, I’ve got a copy of the first book in my Stolen Series – STOLEN FURY – to give away to one commenter.
And in case you haven’t heard yet, I have a big contest running on my website through Jan 15th. Simply click the widget below for a chance to win $100 Amazon gift card.
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I also don’t reread books. There are so many in my TBR pile. If I want a comfort read I will pick a book about friends or a beachy setting to take me away.
Love & Hugs,
Pam Keener in PA
I would have to say my comfort reads are anything by Nora Roberts. You always know she will give you a happy ending!!
I don’t know if I would say that I have one really big comfort read but I love to read anything by christine feehan and have reread her books many times.
P.S. That’s a gorgeous cover on your book, Elizabeth. And I liked what you had to say about the comfort of familiar books. I’m going to have to take a look at your stories.
Tori
Two of my comfort reads are old M.M. Kaye novels – Shadow of The Moon and Trade Wind. Read both of those when I was a teenager. I also like Sherilynn Kenyon and Pamela Clare for comfort. When I was a kid I read two of the Black Stallion books over and over for the same reason (The Black Stallion and The Black Stallion Revolts). Sometimes when I want something more science fiction I read Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan series. There’s nothing like watching a brilliant but severely deformed Miles overcome outrageous odds while convincing everyone around him that they can do the same.
I agree that comfort reads are just that. When real life is beating you down, they can help take your mind & emotions away for a little while. I tend to think that in doing so, they might also lower the blood pressure & lower the heart beat that you tend to have in bad times. They should be part of a doctor’s perscripyion pad :->
I find myself going back to Dara Joy’s Knight of a Trillion Stars, Rejar, & Mine to Take the most often. Christine Feehan’s Dark Series is the next & I start with the first one & go through to the last one in order. If I still need to I grab some of what’s around that I really enjoyed.
And there are times I want to read a particular book & I don’t rest until I go through all my boxes of packed books, until I find that paticular book,,, with my back, that’s saying something.
Thank-you for your blog & your books. Keep it up :->
That was a terrific blog Elizabeth. I’ve always loved your books, especially this series. My comfort authors are Nora Roberts (this current Bride series), Linda Lael Miller and Danielle Steele. I have kept several of their books for rereading and comfort.
I know what you mean about comfort reads. I love romantic suspense but when I go for comfort reads it’s usually Julie Garwood’s Lion’s Lady, Honor’s
Splendour, etc.
Great post Elizabeth.. I don’t re read a lot of books, but if I do I love to re-read Nora Robert, or Robyn Carr, or maybe Susan Wiggs..
I’ve never read Elizabeth’s work before but after reading about it here, I think I’ll be adding her to my BTB list.
Hi Elisabeth!
I understand on comfort reads! Some of mine are the classics – Jane Austen novels, Jane Eyre, Gone With Wind.. I also enjoy Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber, Sherryl Woods.. Hannah Howell, Julia Quinn, almost any paranormal/fantasy :). I just just burying myself in books to take my mind off troubles and to another place. I read all romance genres so I have a large variety on what I like.
My comfort reads are Katie Macalister, Sherrilyn Kenyon and Lynsay Sands(atm)
Elisabeth, don’t put me in the contest for your first book, I have that one (I plan to get the other two in the series!)
Oh I so understand with comfort reads! I know when its tough going with my health and that can be tough emotionally, I find that reading historical romances gives me alot of comfort. I don’t think of it as escaping within and not facing things, but rather to find some time for me with the various joys I have, and that is reading! Its usually any author I can grab a historical, usually some of my favorite comfort authors are: Christina Dodd, Elizabeth Boyle, Julia Quinn, Julia London, Julianne Maclean, Hannah Howell, Celeste Bradley, oh it goes on and on with historicals! Then too sometimes a comfort read is one with the humor. I don’t know many that have humorous romance but one is Susan Donovan. I laugh so hard with her contemps! I have so many!
Congratulations on the new release!
Like you I also spent last summer recovering from an unexpected surgery. When I could eat all I wanted was my old favorites. Ziti with 6 cheeses, Mac and cheese, chicken soup and crackers. I also pulled out all my old favorites to read. I loved Nora Roberts, Jane Porter (I had some of her new stuff to read too), Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Julie Garwood. I watched favorite TV shows on DVD. I love Psych, I have all the seasons. The Tudors and watched loads romantic comedies and movies.
I also hope you get your wish and one day your books will be someones comfort books.
Congrats on the new release!
Some of my comfort reads are books by Julie Garwood, Hannah Howell and Judith McNaught, I love historicals. And some contemporary, Robyn Carr and Julie James.
Hi Elisabeth,
Congrats on your new release and I love the post and cover!
Some of my comfort reads are books by Rosemary Rogers, Sandra Brown, and Linda Howard.
Reading ‘Anna of Green Gables’ of L.M. Montgomery always makes me happy and feel that i’m not that alone in this world 🙂
Aw, Lois, that was very sweet of you. Hopefully I’ll end up on your comfort list. At the very least, I hope you enjoy the Stolen books!
Debbie Macomber has always made me feel good!! Any and all of her books are feel-good reads. I especially like her angel stories. These are for the times when you don’t want or need hot or sexy!! Thanks, Sue
Hi and glad you’re feeling better! 🙂 Hmm, my comfort reads — well, as I try to think of them (my brain’s slow today LOL), I also use those if I feel like I’ve read a few books in a row that were just blah or something, I go to an old favorite that I know I loved so that way I can see if it’s just me or it was the books. Maybe it was just my mood, wrong time for those.
Anyhoo, some names —
Julia Quinn’s How to Marry A Marquis
The Damsel in this Dress/In the Garden of Good and Evie by Marianne Stillings
think I’ll go with any of the wallflower books by Lisa Kleypas
any of the Amanda Quick regencies
have a few that I’m thinking of from Vicki Lewis Thompson (especially the Temptations/Blazes)
Pride and Prejudice and Northanger Abbey most especially from Jane Austen
and I’m sure I’m forgetting many others that I go back to — but I can’t put you yet because I haven’t read yours just yet! 🙂 Am getting there though, you’re on my TBB list! 🙂
Lois
Hi Elisabeth,
Congratulations on your new book. I have a bunch of comfort reads from authors like Jayne Ann Krentz, Lisa Kleypas, Loretta Chase, Linda Howard and many others.
Hello Elisabeth! I don’t have your first book but I do have “Stolen Seduction.” It’s wonderful!!
Do I have to choose? I like my authors but I find comfort in my books; actually in all books. I can walk into a book store or library and become filled with an over-abundance of peace and happiness. I love the smell, the touch and the warmth I feel; it a wonderful, orgasmic, natural high. For me, it’s like: no lines at the Walmart check-out, chocolate, a warm and suggly puppy, your first kiss or getting books in the mail!
I just love to read so most of what I read I find comfort in especially if I have my snuggie with me. Debbie Macomber has been one author I have read many books of and now expanding my interests by getting involved in these web sites. I am enjoying all the new authors. susan L.
I love all these comfort read suggestions. Keep them coming!
I’m weird! All books are a comfort to me. If I get a chance to sit and read, drink iced tea, and relax-well, that’s comfort with a capital C
But if i had to list a few authors I would read Barbara Taylor Bradford, LaVeryl Spencer, and Sandra Brown
my comfort books are by Hannah howell.Iget so involed in her story line it helps me to relax and enjoy her books.My comfort food is a big bowl of chilli top with cheese.
Lisa Kleypas…Sugar Daddy and Blue Eyed Devil…oooh…they’re both scrumptious and make me feel all warm inside. I could read them over and over again. I like Catherine Anderson, too. My comfort food is creamed potatoes and fried chicken. Can you tell I’m a southern girl? 😉
Great post, Elisabeth. I am not one to re-read many books. Once I have read them that is it. The only exception is Prisoner Of My Desire by Johanna Lindsey. It is a great read and has several funny parts that just lift my spirits so much!!! I have read it numerous times.
Hi Elisabeth – great post. I have tons of comfort reads, in different genres, because I’m struck by different moods. I’ll go with books. Crazy for You by Jennifer Crusie, as well as Bet Me. Heaven, Texas; Breathing Room; Kiss an Angel; Nobody’s Baby but Mine by SEP. Lost in Your Arms and That Scandalous Evening by Christina Dodd. Prince of Dreams, Dreaming of You, Because You’re Mine, Someday I’ll Find You, Suddenly You, Devil in Winter – and a few others by Lisa Kleypas.
Kresley Cole’s IAD series – especially the first. Lover Eternal by Ward. Standing in the Shadows by Shannon McKenna – and especially her novellas, with Meltdown being my favorite. Mouth to Mouth by Erin McCarthy. The Stranger I Married by Sylvia Day. lol I’ll stop now 😀
My comfort reads are Harlequin Presents and Silhouette Desires because I began reading romance with these lines.
Some of Nora Roberts’ older books are some comfort reads for me. My main one though is Debbie Macomber. If I need to read something to make me feel good I will usually re-read one of hers. Especially during the holidays, she has some wonderful holiday stories. It’s funny how you can have a whole stack of unread books but every once in a while instead of digging through them I pull out one I’ve already read and read it again. I don’t know that it’s particularly for comfort, or if I just liked it so well I have to read it again.