Book Haven discussion

I think that most bookaholics have a special book, or a few special books that they return to when they need to be cheered up.
I want to know which ones do this for you????

As for me...
I return to James Clemens banned and banished series. I don't know why it is, but they always manage to make me feel safe, which is strange considered the books....
I also really like to turn to Historical romance in general... :)

Laurell K. Hamilton's "Anita Blake" series, especially the later books when she has so many supportive people in her life.

Mine is kind of childish but Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary. I can't help but love it, and I've read it so many times and it never gets old to me. Even now that I'm far older then when I first read it, if I really need something comforting that's the one I go to.

I've never really reread keeper books but some authors I keep on stand-by for comfort reads depending on the mood I'm in are Lisa Kleypas, Suzanne Enoch and Sandra Hill.

I can't really decide on any particular books but some authors I turn to when looking for a "comfort" book include Julie Garwood, Johanna Lindsey, Kathleen Woodiwiss and Linda Howard.

Eastofoz wrote: "I've never really reread keeper books but some authors I keep on stand-by for comfort reads depending on the mood I'm in are Lisa Kleypas, Suzanne Enoch and Sandra Hill."

Yeah, my favorite HR authors always comfort me. LOL Once I was in an argument with my husband, and I did not want to discuss the subject anymore. I tried telling him that we should just take a breather and come back once we had calmed down. He left the room, and I immediately picked up an historical romance book. I ended up calming down very quickly! :) I even ended up laughing. He came into the bedroom to find me rolling around on the bed laughing...I'm sure that was confusing for him...LOL

I thought of another...when I was a teen I used to turn to L.J. Smith's Secret circle series. IDK, but I really felt better when I read that series...Once I read James Clemens series though...it completely blotted out L.J. Smith! LOL

The first one that comes to mind is Frenchman's Creek adventure, sexual tension (no sex written too long ago for that) dashingly handsome french pirate, and liberation of the female spirit. It's set in Cornwall near to where we holiday so it's extra special for that reason too!

Since last reading this I've read some other books that may well be joining it:)

The J D Robb series is one. The other author that never fails to work for me is Barbara Cartland. While Robb amuses me, Cartland is mind candy. While Robb's relationships intrigue me, Cartland's relationships doen't need thinking about; they just happen organically.

Pride and Prejudice, without a doubt. Mr. Darcy is yummy.

Anne wrote: "Pride and Prejudice, without a doubt. Mr. Darcy is yummy."

Love, love, love Pride and Prejudice.

I'd probably have to go with
Matilda. I know it's more of a children's book, but I read it over and over at least through early high school, my cover actually came off I read it so many times. Such a great read and introduces young children to so many classics :).

I always go back to the Georgia Nicolson series by Louise Rennison and the Mediator series by Meg Cabot. Georgia always makes me smile and feel good. They are also the kind of books that I can read just a bit of a book or the whole thing and it works it's magic. The mediator series makes me wish I was Suze just to have Jesse! There is also the witty, funny dialogue and the cool mysteries.

Lisa Anne wrote:
I'd probably have to go with
Matilda. I know it's more of a child..."

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who returns to a children's book. They have a certain quality that can make you smile no matter what.

for me it's Jane Austen.

I know this is going to make me sound like I'm a smarty pants but I'm totally not! I just really love Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I've read it so many times I've had to tape the covers to the book. I don't know if it's Dagny's unrelenting idealism or her relationships or the watching society slowly decay (in the book) or even the subtle mystery that weaves the whole thing together but ever since I was in high school I've felt like this book is like an old friend. It's funny to me how much I love this book and yet most of my book collection is made up of fiction and YA fiction. I find most other philosophical writers to be rather stuffy. Told you I wasn't a smarty pants. ;)

And then I also love Susan Elizabeth Phillip's "This Heart of Mine." DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING DID YOU? I LOVE this book as well and even though I've read it at least ten times, literally, I still find myself laughing at certain places. She's great at writing humor into any story and I tend to pick up her books when I feel down or on rainy days. Great for a little pick-me-up...

Jessica,

That is one of the best reviews of Atlas Shrugged that I have ever read.

Jessica wrote: "I know this is going to make me sound like I'm a smarty pants but I'm totally not! I just really love Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I've read it so many times I've had to tape the covers to the book...."

For me it's Does Anybody Care About Lou Emma Miller? I read it first when I was a kid (around the same time I was getting into Anne of Green Gables), and have loved it ever since. It' not a mind blowing read or (if I'm being objective) even all that particularly good, but it's cute and it makes me smile.

Jo wrote: "Im gonna have to be really unoriginal and say Twilight and Harry Potter. I also would liked Perks of being a wallflower and would probably read that again if i needed cheering up and was bored of t..."

;)

Yikes! I can't believe I forgot my good friend Harry Potter! Don't judge me too harshly...

I think it's interesting that you read "Perks" when you need cheering up. That book was so...hmm, what's the word. Melancholy? Let's go with that one. It was so melancholy for me. Great pick though. Very lovable character.

Lynda wrote: "Jessica,

That is one of the best reviews of Atlas Shrugged that I have ever read.

Jessica wrote: "I know this is going to make me sound like I'm a smarty pants but I'm totally not! I just rea..."

Thanks! I totally thought I was going to be stoned for that one. Most people have really strong opinions about Rand's body of work and find her writing to be morally repugnant and haughty but I obviously disagree. She just had lofty ideals that don't necessarily align with mine but were still her ideals none the less. "Atlas Shrugged," as with her other works, was a vessel for her ideas but the robust story she told shouldn't be discounted just because one might disagree with her ideology. And now I will stop preaching...sorry. I tend to get carried away. ;) Thanks again.

i love all the banned and the banished nad have read witch like at least 8 times i started reading in when i hated life and it swept me away from all that nothing has been as bad as it when when i 1st read it and it still just grabs me and i feel every emotion elena feels i love the book

Gothicladybug wrote: "i love all the banned and the banished nad have read witch like at least 8 times i started reading in when i hated life and it swept me away from all that nothing has been as bad as it when when i ..."

I've been surprised at how few other people have read that series! I am sooooo happy to have someone else who recognizes how great that series is! I love the world he portrays, and how he constantly managed to surprise me. I remember thinking that James Clemens mind must be on a completely different plane than the rest of us, because he thought of some pretty amazing things for that series. I forced my uncle, and my husband to read the series and they devoured it! I really wish more people would read it! :(

I'll read it! LOL. Since it's so highly recommended. ;)

new_user wrote: "I'll read it! LOL. Since it's so highly recommended. ;)"


LOL That series has stayed at the top of my favorites list since I was a teen. THAT is how good the series it. The 1st book is ok, but once you hit the second book...each book in the series gets better and better. :)
As an added plus...the series is complete so there is none of that annoying "Oh, geez I have to wait an entire year for the next book!" LOL

oh wow where do I start.

Devils Desire by Laurie McBain, historical romance
The Conquest, Elizabeth Chawick, historical fiction
The Champion, Elizabeth Chadwick, historical fiction
Mansfeild Park, Jane Austen, regency romance
Beauty Robin McKinley, Beauty ad the beast retold.

just to name a few.

The Harry Potter series for me! :-) So totally love losing myself in Hogwarts every so often to ease up my troubles.

Jessica wrote: "I know this is going to make me sound like I'm a smarty pants but I'm totally not! I just really love Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I've read it so many times I've had to tape the covers to the book...."

When I saw the topic of this thread, Atlas Shrugged was the first book that came to my mind. As I read through the responses and saw your response, I actually laughed. I thought I was the only one.

My original, small print copy is so tattered that I went out and purchased a large-print version. It permanently resides on my bedside table, together with Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood books (which is another set of comfort books).

I'm not into philosopy and such stuff, but I just love Atlas Shrugged. I admire Dagny, and I have big crushes on all the men...Francisco, Hank, and of course, John Galt. When I'm not feeling well, I would pick out long passages that I love and read them out loud..ex. D'Anconia's money speech, Hank's speech to Dagny when he realized his feelings, John Galt's "on the air" speech, etc. I know..sounds silly..LOL!

Okay..I better stop...but yes...I'm not a nerd, nor am I into deep philosophical stuff..but yes, I love Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged.

Joy wrote: "Gothicladybug wrote: "i love all the banned and the banished nad have read witch like at least 8 times i started reading in when i hated life and it swept me away from all that nothing has been as ..."

have u read hinterland by him the new serise is great 2

When I was growing up The Flame and The Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I wore the copy I had out reading it so much. I finally talked my mother into reading the book also she loved it. I remember packing to go on vacation and making sure I had my book with me.

Gothicladybug wrote: "Joy wrote: "Gothicladybug wrote: "i love all the banned and the banished nad have read witch like at least 8 times i started reading in when i hated life and it swept me away from all that nothing ..."

I read the first book in the Godslyer chronicles, but haven't picked up the second book yet. Its sitting on my bookshelf. LOL I was suprised at how the two series are totally different. Most author seem to write many series that are similar, but Clemens wrote two series that are opposite one another. I still prefer the Banned and Banished series, but the other one is good too. I really do need to read the 2nd book...

i havw not bonded to the characters in the godslayer series as much but i think there is a chance if he ever gives us a 3rd one i like taylor and dart a lot .. they are quite different he has broad imagination everyone i know who has read either series rates them high it makes me happy

Jessica wrote: "I just really love Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I've read it so many times I've had to tape the covers to the book. I don't know if it's Dagny's unrelenting idealism or her relationships or the watching society slowly decay (in the book) or even the subtle mystery that weaves the whole thing together"

I've been meaning to read that. I thought it would be one of those books that you'd have to slog through, but you'd appreciate it in the end. I'm glad to hear it's more than that.

Yz wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I know this is going to make me sound like I'm a smarty pants but I'm totally not! I just really love Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I've read it so many times I've had to tape the cov..."

Holy crap! Don't get me started on the men! I can never decide which one I want Dagny to end up with the most. The very first time I read it I wanted it to be Hank...now I think John but that's only because I've read it at least a dozen times and have changed my mind at least eight times. I also have the book with really large print. So much easier to read. It's so funny that you have all the speaches dog eared because I do too! Whenever I want a little taste of the book, even though I'm in the middle of another one, I turn to one of the "speeches."

Mlady_Rebecca (great name by the way) YOU MUST GIVE ATLAS A SHOT! SO GOOOOD! Yes, the length of the book and the fact that it can often be found in the philosphy section seems daunting but it has everything! Mystery! Romance! Intrigue! Really fantastic characters that you just fall for! There's even some action in there for the fellas! Yes, I just said fellas. Why do all of my posts make me sound like I grew up in the forties and fifties? Anyways, I hope you do read it and I hope that WHEN you do (whenever that may be) you will write Yz and I to tell us what you think.

Chrissy315 wrote: "When I was growing up The Flame and The Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss. I wore the copy I had out reading it so much. I finally talked my mother into reading the book also she loved it. I remember pa..."

That was the first full length romance novel I ever read and still have a copy to reread sometimes.

I usually re-read the books I have by Johanna Lindseyand my HR books by Elizabeth Lowell.

Jo, I agree. Have you read The Cather in the Rye by Salinger? Raaaaallly good. :)

[book:Love Story|150525. Not the happiest ending but it's one of my favourite books.
and anything by Hazel McIntyre. She's a local author who mostly writes around the famine of ireland era. I like her but some of my friends found her hard to read but she's a big comfort read.

The Anne of Green Gables Books and Emily of New Moon books. Think I've read both series three times. I just adore them. I've actually wanted to read them again but I haven't found a place for them since we've moved and they're still boxed up. :o( I need another bookshelf!

Letters of E.B. White.

They're funny, brilliant, sad and moving. (He was friends with noted humorist James Thurber -- they wrote a funny book together called "Is Sex Necessary?") Its a great document of his marriage, his life, the progress of his work - especially the childrens stuff, and his career at the New Yorker.

(Letter that always makes me laugh. Postcard. The caption on the back reads "San Francisco at sunrise." Its address to his boss at the New Yorker. The postcard reads simply. "I wasn't up. White." )

Narnia and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are my comfort books.

Anything by Harlan Ellison is my dis-comfort book, I guess ... but I return to his writing again and again because I love it.

i usually post at constant reader MODERN AMERICAN LITERATURE. strange as it may seem,my comfort books are bios. they read faster for me than any other form. i think my lack of patience and or imagination are the reasons for this choice. i have recently read;sylvia plath,edna st vincent millay,jack kerouac, malachy mccourt-which i hated- . these were horrible people and yet sold many books. i have to read, carrie fisher and gypsy rose lee-more horrible people. i think reading about horrible people makes me feel not so horrible..lol..joe

Jo wrote: "I like to read books about messed up people Joe, dont know why "

Then you should read Paint it Black or White Oleander. Very good. :)

Nathaniel wrote: "Letters of E.B. White.

They're funny, brilliant, sad and moving. (He was friends with noted humorist James Thurber -- they wrote a funny book together called "Is Sex Necessary?") Its a great docu..."

nat..i am glad to see a male writing here. i was beginning to become lonely. i usually post at constant reader,,MODERN AMERICAN LIT. i read a great bio of eb white and was surprised at how talented and interesting he was. i have a copy of CHARLOTTE S WEB but will read it to my grand kids someday..happy reading..joe

When I was a kid it was EIGHT COUSINS by Louisa May Alcott. Now it is any of a bunch of series that I've kept copies of so I can re-read. When I want to comfort myself I read books I already know I'm going to love.

Joe wrote: "Nathaniel wrote: "Letters of E.B. White.

They're funny, brilliant, sad and moving. (He was friends with noted humorist James Thurber -- they wrote a funny book together called "Is Sex Necessary..."

LOL I did notice that there aren't very many males in this group. I'm sorry Joe and Nathanial we need to get the word out so you guys won't be so lonely... ;)

Joe

If you frequent used bookstores, generally you can come across a used copy of White's Letters for relatively cheap with a little persistance. Otherwise in the last five years they've been revised and added to, and now I believe in paper. Fun book to browse.

Jo wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Jo wrote: "I like to read books about messed up people Joe, dont know why "

Then you should read Paint it Black or White Oleander. Very good. :)"

I really want to read White O..."

They are by the same auther, Janet Fitch. She's very dark and has a lot of mommy issues but the books are beautifully written and very sad...I think you would really love them both. :)

Jo wrote: "Someone agreed to swap Paint It Black with me on readitswapit today :) "

Awesome!!!! I can't wait to hear your take on it! I am still looking for someone to swap my books for 1984, Virgin Suicides, Middlesex and Germs, Guns and Steel. They are the last books on my "summer to read" list...oh and VOX. ARGH! :\

on book swap sights are you just loaning the book or swapping it out for good? I have a few that I wouldn't mind swapping out however I'm not sure how it works.

I'm in the US do you happen to know of any sites here?

Nona, paperbackswap.com is a big one. Bookmooch.com is another. You swap your books permanently. :)