Comfort Reading

From Joanna's desk

Life has been sort of kicking my ass lately. I won’t go into it. As a result, I haven’t been getting much done. Finding the headspace for much more than staring at the tv has been a challenge and self care has been a priority. Nap time has become a regular fixture of my days off. Boy do kids have it wrong. Nap time is the best time. Part of working on self care is accepting that it is okay when I get nothing done. Like last week. I spent almost an entire day reading. It was heaven. What was I reading, you might ask? Carry on, by Rainbow Rowell.

If you aren’t familiar, Rainbow Rowell writes young adult fiction. Our dear friend Claire introduced me to her books years ago and they quickly became some of my favorites. I’m drawn to them when life is hard or my mind is troubled. For me, her writing is like a cozy blanket on a cold night. Comfort reading. I’m sure we all have those books we turn to to soothe the weary mind. I spent some time thinking about why I turn to Rowell. What is it I love so much?

Rowell’s characters are a big draw. They feel real and relatable, like you could go out into the world and find them. Each has their own struggles and flaws. They make mistakes. Rowell doesn’t make their lives simple, or easy. The hard realities they face aren’t ones that can only be found in the pages of a book either. Poverty, alienation, stagnation, loss, abuse, and neglected relationships. The struggle to figure out who you are amidst life’s changes. Rowell doesn’t let the struggles overpower or distract from the story. Her characters evolve over time. They experience friendship, devotion, compassion, empathy, hope, and love. Even if it is tough love. Sometimes from unlikely places.

I don’t read Rowell to escape life, like I might with fantasy. It is right there on the page to be read and felt. But, she reminds the reader that all is not lost to struggle. There is hope and joy to be had in her pages, as there is in life. In the end, her characters may still be in a mess, but they are left in a hopeful moment.

Carry On is the same as the others, but different. It started as fan fiction a character was writing in one of her books and became wildly popular. Rowell still gives us the real emotion and mess of life but with a bit of a fantasy flair. Magic school and vampires. What's not to like. I highly recommend it.

Now, I’m not sure what to read next. I have a pile of things started, but favorites from the past are calling to me. Perhaps it is time to revisit a few? Are there books or authors you reach for when life gets rough? I’d love to hear about them.