Wednesday, February 24, 2010

comfort books

We often read new books without thinking about all the old books we once read, there are those that didn't change us or our lives in any way, and then there are those few that never get old, you'd read a hundred times and still cry at the same parts, you could read the book frontwards and backwards and still want more. Those are called Comfort books, (Yes I'm stealing Caroline's post... check out her blog here, she is fantastic!!!)

So here is a list of my favorites those near and dear to my heart!


Rohl Dahl Books - They are brilliant, I read them as a child and they've never gotten old, I can't read them to my children, the silly fun tales. The BFG, The Twits, Matilda and many more.


Judy Blume - Another childrens writer that I truly enjoyed reading growing up!


Beverly Clearys - Ramona's books are fantastic! Another set that I can't wait to read to my children!


Harry Potter Series - I love the adventure and excitement, the magic and the struggles Harry endures, it's an amazing story for any age!


The Truth Tellers Tale by Sharon Shinn - THIS IS A MUST READ! By far one of my favorite books, out of all of these books you really must check this one out, I can not rave enough about Sharon Shinn, she is a fantastic writer!


Ella Enchanted - I know this is a movie, but I read the book long before the movie ever made it's debut. I remember reading it in the little cubes in our school library where there were so many pillows to snuggle with!

The two books that inspired me most to write was To Kill a Mockingbird and The Catcher in the Rye, those books I would recommend anyone and everyone to read!

So there you have it, my comfort books!! What are yours? Do you have a certain book you read each year?

28 comments:

Bish Denham said...

Among my favorite books growing up:
The Oz books by L. Frank Baum
The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
Winnie the Pooh
The Call of the Wild by Jack London. This was first book that made me cry and through it I became aware of the power of words.
The Lord of Rings

The only book I reread from time to time is Islandia by Austin Tappan Wright.

Ashley Stone said...

I LOVE Judy Blume and Beverly Clearly! I've never heard of the "Truth Teller's Tale" I'll have to check it out.

Unknown said...

Oh you must check it out Ashley!!! It is one of my favorites (obviously!) the secrets and the story truths are just amazing!

Summer Frey said...

I love the BFG! My favorite Dahl book. It would strain my brain too hard this early to try and think of my comfort books, but maybe I'll post on them later!

Hardygirl said...

Ooo. I have to say that I'm not familiar with Sharon Shinn. Must go and read!!

I keep The Great Gatsby in my car and pull it out whenever I"m waiting for kids.

sf

Robyn Campbell said...

Super post Jen. This made me take a look back into my young reading life.

I loved Black Beauty. And still re-read that book to this very day. The Black Stallion, and all things Rudyard Kipling. Oh, and The Call of the Wild. Great Expectations, David Copperfield and pretty much all that Dickens wrote.

The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym and Poe's mysteries. He was after all the father of the modern detective story.

Okay. I'll quit blathering. Thanks for reminding me to re-read some of my old favorites. And for showing me the influence these books have had on my writing. =)

Robyn Campbell said...

And my word verification was Raven. I loved that one too. *grin*

Amanda said...

The Harry Potter series is definitely my comfort place. I've read the series over 25 times (except the last book, which came out later than when I started reading. I've only read that one 10 times).

Stephanie said...

Just Blue was my absolute FAV when I was a kid...read just about every one of her books. Are You There God, It's Me Margaret was my favorite!! And I saved the Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing books for my kids to read one day!

Shelley Sly said...

You have excellent taste in books!

Personally, I love the Harry Potter series. As a kid, I loved books by Patricia Reilly Giff, Ann M. Martin (Babysitter's Club series), Francine Pascal, Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume... there are some really great authors out there. Yay for comfort books!

Ellen Brickley said...

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith :D Great comfort read. One of my all-time favourites.

Jen, Roald Dahl is one of my favourite authors, have you read any of his Tales of The Unexpected?

Christopher said...

Roald Dahl is so amazing. I've got a book full of his adult stories around here I need to dig out now.

Unknown said...

How funny Robyn!

Ellen - I haven't read any of the Tales of the Unexpected but I'll be sure to look into it!

Elana Johnson said...

I've read most of these, and totally agree. I need to read, um, Ella Enchanted. *ducks* I loved the movie though, and have met Gail Carson Levine. I just need to read that book.

:)

missivysparkle said...

I have never read any of those, except i attempted to read the first Harry Potter book lol but i was easily side tracked and impatient and just watched the movies lol

Amna said...

Harry potter FTW!

And I love BFG.

Kasie West said...

Great list. There were a few I hadn't read on it. Guess I have some reading to do. :) My favs are anything by Austen and anything by Dickens. I'm usually not one to read books over and over though. I feel like there are so many books waiting to be read that I don't have time to do re-reads, I must keep reading. :)

Anonymous said...

I love Ella Enchanted movie and didn't even realise it was a book! Will have to read it :o)

Julie said...

I haven't read The Truth Tellers but everything else you suggested are my favorites. Also the Babysitters Club

MedSchoolWife said...

Hey! Found your blog through Something She Wrote and am enjoying it! Those are some great comfort books -- I especially love Roald Dahl, Ella Enchanted, and Harry Potter. Catcher in the Rye is great, too.

My comfort books are Harry Potter, 1984, The Skin I'm In, and... oh, Gone with the Wind

Kristin Rae said...

OOO I'll have to check some of these out! I remember reading the BFG back in elementary school and loving it!

Gotta love the Harry Potters. I don't know if I've ever cried so hard in a book as I did in book #7. Amazing.

I read the Mandie series by Lois Gladys Leppard through my early teen years and I'm very attached to them.

There is an award for you on my blog!

http://kristincreative.blogspot.com/2010/02/whos-been-hoarding-awards.html

Kimberly Franklin said...

Aww... it's like a trip down memory lane. : D

And I love, love, love Harry Potter!!!

Happy Wednesday!

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

Ohhhhh Harry Potter, how I love thee! I have a whole bunch of comfort books...to name a few...Many Waters by Madeline L'Engle, The Last Silk Dress by Ann Rinaldi, and The Mennyms by Sylvia Waugh :)

Unknown said...

Book 7 made me cry too Kristin!!!

I love seeing people who have a great love for Harry Potter as much as I do! I can't wait to enjoy the 7th movie as well!!

in which a girl reads said...

I LOVE BFG.

For a long time, Roald Dahl was my absolute fave writer ever.

And Ella Enchanted is fab.

I LOVE HP too!

Great picks :)

Christina Farley said...

Those really are great books. I suppose my comfort books are those that I read as a kid. Like Little Woman, Anne of Green Gables and Jane Austen.

Alex Adams said...

Lord of the Rings is my comfort series, as are the Harry Potter books. I also have singular favorites, such as--for some odd reason--The Other Boleyn Girl.

Unknown said...

Great list!

On my "comfort list" would be Harry Potter, anything Austen, A.A. Milne's Winnie the Pooh books and poetry, the LOTR trilogy, a slew of picture books, Agatha Christie's Hercule Poirot mysteries.