Before we began our social isolation I had checked out several books from the library. Every spring I try to focus on reading Irish authors and books that are based in Ireland as part of my tribute to St. Patrick. This year I was excited about the stack of books I had selected. 

As the days passed in March, the Covid19 outbreak continued to spread and my anxiety continued to rise. I started to read the books I had picked out for the month, but it just so happened that the books I picked out were filled with sadness, death, and uncertainty. A couple of chapters in, I would put down the book and start another one, hoping for lighter escapism through the pages. But alas, each book I tried was not the right fit for what I was needing in this time of crisis. 

When I was a kid I used to watch the same movies over and over again, much to my siblings’ frustration. Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, and Robin Hood, and Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, were my go-to movies. It provided a sense of comfort, knowing the ending and mindlessly watching; the familiar characters like friends. I felt much the same about books; The Berenstain Bears, The Pee Wee Scouts, and a book called, Rachel’s Rainbow, all provided familiarity and comfort. I never grew bored of these books, but instead drew warmth and relief from their pages. 

As I grew older, the titles changed, but the idea of comfort from the familiarity did not change. When I failed a test, had a fight with a friend, a break-up, or when I became overwhelmed with the unknows about the future; I turned to the familiar comfort of specific books and movies. My “comfort” books were The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros.  There were also my “comfort authors”: Wally Lamb, Sherman Alexie, and Alice Sebold. These were authors I had grown familiar with as I read and re-read anything and everything they had written. And of course “comfort movies” had a significant role as well;  Garden State, Rent, You’ve Got Mail. These titles, authors, and movies helped me navigate the ups and down, the emotions, the anxiety, and the unknowns of high school and college. It wasn’t that these stories always had happy endings (most of them don’t really). It was that I knew the rhythm of the text, I knew the cadence of the author, I knew the characters, I knew their stories, and I longed to escape back into their realities. 

So this month, when I found myself unable to immerse myself in new adventures, I knew it was time to re-visit some favorites. Perhaps getting lost in these stories, can also bring you some comfort and escape. 

Wildwood Series, Colin Meloy

A young adult series written by the lead singer of one of my favorite bands; Colin Meloy of The Decemberists. Wildwood is a fantasy adventure series with a resemblance to The Chronicles of Narnia, complete with lyrical text, and augmented by beautifully whimsical illustrations brought to life by Carson Ellis, who also happens to be Colin’s wife. This is a series to get lost in, and to read over and over again.

Do you have comfort books, movies, or authors? Share them with us on our social media pages!

Here is one of my favorite scenes from Garden State- something about this scene is so cathartic, and of course this movie has one of the best soundtracks of all time (in my opinion, of course).