I’m a touched out, burnt out, exhausted SAHM to three little boys and life is hard right now. I am straight up not having a good time and I need a new comfort book to look forward to every night! I generally prefer fiction about female characters, but I have a wide variety of favorites. I tend to enjoy stories with drug use or mood disorders, self discovery, etc. I do enjoy some thrillers, but I can’t really get into scifi or fantasy. Some of my favorite comfort/ escape books that I have read and reread include:
She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb
Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann
My Year of Rest and Relaxation and Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Animal Dreams, The Bean Trees, Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab
The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve
The Mermaid’s Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
Outlawed by Anna North
Severance by Ling Ma
The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah
Searching for Sylvie Lee by Jean Kwok
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
I’m so appreciative of any suggestions. Thanks, y’all!
by shortladytoday
9 Comments
What about Kristin Hannah’s Firefly Lane series?
This might be completely off base, but my first thought was A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki.
It’s a very compelling read and hits the things you like (female-centered, self-discovery, and not necessarily drugs or mood disorders but some dark bits here and there that have a similar feel).
The Bottle of Tears by Nick Alexander
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell
I’m also a lover of Philippe Gregory’s Tudor and Plantagenet novels. They’re historical fiction about women. There is a website that has a list of them in chronological order, but can be read stand alone. I loved The Lady of the Rivers, The Red Queen, The White Princess, The King’s Curse, Three Sisters Three Queens, and the Queen’s Fool.
I was going to mention Valley of the Dolls! That one kicked off a spree for me a few years ago when I was in a funk.
I’ve really enjoyed Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books. And I typically read a lot of UK- based detective series, women writers and usually women protagonists. Authors with like 10 books in a series like Ann Cleeves. I also like Elly Griffiths. There is something comforting about messy protagonists who at least find some resolution in one aspect of their lives while everything else is a bit of a mess.
My go to escape is a reread. Red Country by Joe Abercrombie. I love the whole First Law series. It’s Grimdark and has a lot of humor. Sort of upsets a lot of fantasy tropes. Red Country is a stand alone book bridging the first trilogy to the second. Rereading old favorites let’s me enjoy the story without the stress of wondering what’s going to happen.
Any of the Jackie Collins novels from the 80s. The Lucky series is my fave. These are the novels I go back to when I need something light and fun. Especially since you liked Valley of the Dolls
Heya, I’m in a similar boat and haven’t read any books for a year plus because life is a lot but I’m reading ‘before the coffee gets cold’ and it’s really hitting the spot
I typically reread something when I’m feeling my worst. I’d look at what books you have handy or think about what you’ve loved in the past and see what feels right. Doesn’t have to be your favorite book or the “best” book but something that you look at it and feel a little calmer.
Unsheltered and Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
The All Girl’s Filling Station’s Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg (or any of her books)
Karen by Marie Killilea (It’s from the 50s, written by the mom of a kid with cerebral palsy. They’re so happy and loving in the midst of all kinds of problems, and it’s hilarious)
Calvin and Hobbes got me through the midnight feedings. It’s easy to stop and start again, gentle on a mom brain, and heartwarming and funny. Plus, your kids can’t possibly be as bad as Calvin so it’s relaxing too, lol
If none of those work, try sexy vampires. The True Blood series (nice because the hero is poor and tired, some really cool moments) Anita Blake Vampire Hunter (tons of violence in the first eight books, then mostly really graphic sex but also still violence) The Bloodsucking Fiends series by Christopher Moore (absolutely hilarious, neither sexy nor scary)