Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Books that have got you through hard times

21 replies

TheLastDreamOfTheOak · 12/01/2023 17:09

I'm in bed and have been for a few days as I sadly had a miscarriage on Tuesday, and I'm not feeling great physically or mentally really. I don't feel like watching Tv or anything with any noise at all so all I want to do to take my mind of it is read. In times of trouble I always end up reading what I call Tudor chick lit-Philippa Gregory and the like, so I've re read three of her cousins series books in the last few days. (As a history graduate i know they aren't very accurate but I like to escape to that world).
What books have got you through times of trouble?

OP posts:
Flumptastic · 12/01/2023 22:07

PG Wodehouse !

highlandcoo · 12/01/2023 22:19

I'm very sorry about your miscarriage Flowers

For a comforting read, the James Herriott vet books, the Miss Read Village School series and my absolute favourite because it's so familiar, Pride and Prejudice

Flockameanie · 16/01/2023 13:58

Cazalet books by Elizabeth Jane Howard

SlowHorses67 · 16/01/2023 17:31

Sorry for your loss. When I’ve struggled with life I’ve reread favourite children’s books, Malory Towers, The Borrowers and so on. After that it’s Jane Austen.

Shunkleisshiny · 16/01/2023 17:41

Don't flame me but an old historical romance:
A Knight in Shining Armour by Jude Devereaux.
It has time travel/Elizabethans/comedy and a little sadness. It's a bit dated but you get last that.

PritiPatelsMaker · 16/01/2023 20:24

So sorry about your MC Flowers

I do like a Veronica Henry. I usually save her latest release for my Holiday Wink

NellietheNumpty · 16/01/2023 20:25

Chronicles of St Mary’s

mimbleandlittlemy · 17/01/2023 15:19

So sorry about your loss.

I'd second the Chronicles of St Mary's. Got me reading again after the long period looking after my mum before she died.

clakster14 · 17/01/2023 15:45

Adrian Mole. I have reread yhem since i was 12 years old always got me through dark times. Work of a genius

FallonofDynasty · 17/01/2023 16:19

Bill Bryson. Always cheery and funny and informative.

Coldfeets · 17/01/2023 16:25

so sorry OP
i agree re Adrian Mole. Absolute genius and comedy. wish she was still with us writing now - we need her !

TheLastDreamOfTheOak · 17/01/2023 16:26

Thanks all. I do love Adrian mole actually. I will dig that out

OP posts:
TattiePants · 17/01/2023 17:59

So sorry about your MC OP. I’m not feeling great either at the moment and have spent a lot of time finishing off much loved series of books. I’m another Chronicles of St Mary’s fan and I’ve also been reading the last 2 Shardlakes in the series.

electricmoccasins · 17/01/2023 18:01

I’m so sorry.

Agatha Christie always helps me.

JoonT · 17/01/2023 18:12

I agree with so many of the above choices.

P. G. Wodehouse would be top of the list. I read him out loud when I’m home alone, especially on a bad day. (I do a pretty good Bertie Wooster, and not a bad Jeeves.) I also love listening to Stephen Fry read him on audiobook.

Wilde’s Picture of Dorian Gray. The dialogue is sublime, and I love that late Victorian world of aesthetes and decadents.

Children’s books are also a comfort on a bad day. I love listening to audiobook recordings of Tolkien’s Hobbit and Lewis’ Narnia books.

Patrick Leigh Fermor, Bill Bryson and Evelyn Waugh never fail me. Also David Copperfield and Pride and Prejudice. Even after so many years they haven’t been bettered. Returning to them is like visiting a much loved grandparent.

Two other surprising choices would be Bertrand Russell and George Orwell. There is something about their clear, sharp minds, and crystal clear prose, that sort of re-balances me. Also the literary critic Harold Bloom. His passion for books and reading is infectious. He’s also a first class writer.

Above all, I love laying in a hot bath listening to audiobooks. If I’ve had a bad week, I will sometimes lay in a bath for an hour or more on a Friday night listening to Stephen Fry read Sherlock Holmes or P. G. Wodehouse or Harry Potter.

Inmyownlittlecorner · 17/01/2023 18:24

I'm so sorry OP.
The chronicles of St Mary's got me through the death of my mum & I always reach for them when I feel low.

Maggiesgirl · 17/01/2023 18:42

The Outlander Series by Diana Gabledon. Read the first one when it came out back in the early 90's and have eagerly waited for the next one each time. There are 9 so fat with the tenth being the last. The TV series is quite good but nothing like the books.

Valhalla17 · 17/01/2023 18:44

The Sunne in Splendour, Sharon Penman always does the trick for me when I'm finding life tough.
Wishing you all the best OP Flowers
One day at a time...

HuntingoftheSnark · 17/01/2023 19:06

Monica Dickens - light and humorous but well written.

HotMessMama · 17/01/2023 19:28

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig literally saved my life ❤

TheLastDreamOfTheOak · 18/01/2023 15:04

Thanks for all of these. I'm still in bed due to an infection and feeling very miserable so books it is .

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page