Going through losing my mom right now, she's single and I'm an only child so not only were (are) we freakishly close, we're kind of doing it all alone. I'm so incredibly overwhelmed and sad and scared and mad and having a hard time seeing the point in anything. I just need a book to escape for a few minutes, just be somewhere else or look forward to it or something. The problem is I cant even look at other people's happy lives right now, it just makes me even lower and gives me awful ugly feelings of jealousy and frustration. Any suggestions? Maybe things that aren't about people at all.. idk. Ill read any topic, any genre.
by Kindly-Run633
7 Comments
This might be an odd suggestion, but have you ever read the Redwall series? It’s a fantasy children’s series technically, but it’s very well-written and holds up for adults. It centers on animals who live in an abbey, not people, so that might be easier for your situation. It’s also a great escape from reality imo, and has action that generally keeps things moving. It’s my favorite childhood series and I’ve revisited it myself it times of grief, so maybe it’ll help you, too.
A few random ones popped to mind:
A contemplative hope core pick for when you feel sad – The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating
Escapist adventure fantasy – The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi
I found familiar old favourites helped me. Maybe something you’ve loved for years. For me it was Ballet Shoes and Black Beauty.
I’m so sorry you’re losing your mom.
Watership Down by Richard Adams is an adventure story about a group of rabbits, but it’s not a children’s book. There are a few deaths due to predation/human trapping but they’re mostly offscreen and not a major part of the story.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir is humorous but not exactly happy as the main character is alone in space with no memory of why he’s there and no way back. Over time he remembers his mission and gets unexpected help. It’s been made into a heartwarming movie that’s still in theaters.
I’m so so sorry for what you’re going through, this may be an odd suggestion but I read My Year of Rest and Relaxation when I was going through a difficult time and I found it kind of comforting to read about a character who was totally a mess. It’s about a young woman who just wants to sleep through an entire year.
Poetics of Space by Gaston Bachelard
Sorry you’re going through this, wishing you the best.
**The Hobbit** and **The Wind in the Willows** worked for me when I was going through something similar.
Both were written by men shaped by the aftermath of WWI, for audiences living through loss and upheaval. They’re comforting without being aggressively cheerful. Gentle, absorbing books.
I’d loved Wind in the Willows since childhood, but The Hobbit was new to me at the time, and it truly and unexpectedly helped.
Later on, when I was past the hospital/forms/administrative stage, I got very into Sidney Sheldon novels. They’re completely bonkers in the best way, written by an underrated master of pacing. **Master of the Game** and **If Tomorrow Comes** are both *ridiculous* and extremely distracting.
Take care of yourself, and I hope you find a book.