Comfort Reading Tips
Hello, precious people. And you are precious, each and every one of you! I sincerely hope and pray you and your loved ones are healthy, practicing social distancing, staying at home, washing your hands, and all that. My gosh, haven't we been hit sideways with this dreaded COVID-19? The world is so different from the last time I joyously wrote to you all.
I've been seeing lots of posts and blogs and mentions of comfort reads during this - I'll say it - unprecedented time. So I'd also like to pass on a few tips that work for me to keep me reading.
First, if you have trouble reading a full-length novel at the moment, go short. Choose a novella, something quick to read. It might break a reading drought if you're having trouble concentrating. In the hands of the wonderful Sarah Mayberry you can relax and simply enjoy. I think I loved Must Love Coffee even more because it's actually based on a true, crazy story of one up-man-ship in a Melbourne coffee shop - you know, who's the best customer of them all... Coffee and romance make a cracker duo!
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| Photo credit: amazon.com |
Or, if your tastes lean to a more historical bent, Mary Jo Putney has republished her swoony romantic fantasy dragon novella, The Dragon and the Dark Knight. Yes, please, one for the dragon lovers (moi). Ooh, the fabulousness of that cover. ...And actually, ooh, the fabulousness of the story!
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| Photo credit: amazon.com |
Second, I want to laugh at a time when laughs are not common. Reading can take me there. What books have amused you lately? I'm going to be the envy of everyone when I say I've recently read Anne Gracie's fourth novel in the 'Marriage of Convenience' series, Marry in Scarlet. Coming out very soon! It was divine, glorious fun to read. The banter between the ice-cold scary Duke and the unconventional Lady George was simply delicious. His Grace's best friend, Sinc, also stole a few scenes with his comic carry-on. Then there were so many tender moments, sigh... If you haven't started the series, now is maybe the best time of all. Begin with Marry in Haste. Thank me later.
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| Photo credit: amazon.com |
Beth O'Leary's unexpectedly comic book The Flat Share is a superb read that gave me a lot of unexpected laughs - I totally gobbled it down. The two main characters, an extreme introvert (Leon, so dreamy and so strong) and an extreme extrovert (Tiffy, so warm-hearted and bubbly) end up sharing a flat but never meet in the flesh. Sounds crazy, but Beth O'Leary makes it work so so SO well! I laughed and cried through this book. It shows a lot of faith and hope in the good people of this world while touching on Big Issues. All the feels.
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| Photo credit: amazon.com |
Third, don't ignore your TBR, that towering pile of books you've always wanted to read but haven't had time. May I suggest that now IS the time? Take that, TBR! I'm conquering you! One of my favourite historic heroes is Robin Hood, and Marsha Canham wrote an award-winning Medieval romance trilogy in the 1990s bringing the legend to life. Yes! I'm finally going to read it, starting with Through A Dark Mist, rollick through to In the Shadow of Midnight, then The Last Arrow. The new Kindle covers are oh-so-stunning.
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| Photo credit: amazon.com |
Last, indulge yourself. If ever there was time to read a classic romance - hello Jane Austen - now is the time! JA's gentle stories are charming, so lovely to read, and sometimes have that clever little sting in the tail. Emma might be a good place to start, given the recent film version. BTW, the film was a charmer, although I wanted to get a hairbrush and tidy up Mr Knightley's hair a bit. Below is my favourite copy of Emma, with terrific annotations and fab illustrations. Isn't the cover delightful?
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| Photo credit: amazon.com |
What's your idea of comfort reading in a time like this? What helps you cope?
Be kind, be loving, be patient, live by the 'new normal' rules... Hopefully we will come out of this stronger, better people.
So much love from Miranda xx
Love to Laugh:
At all the COVID-19 memes coming thick and fast. People are so clever!
Love to Love:
Right now my family is top-of-the-pops important to me. Go hug yours. ❤
Love to Learn:
How people are coping. In the famous words from our 'friend' Joey: How're YOU doing?
