So … mood reading?
I know we’re heading into spring — and I’m infinitely happy that it’s garden season — but, jeez: I really need some late autumn right now. Soggy leaves, grey skies, spicy chai, and fairy lights in the window. That cozy sort of quiet, where it’s OK to spend hours huddled under a tartan blanket.
Ever since posting my re-view of Strange the Dreamer / Muse of Nightmares, I’ve been trying to figure out what actually constitutes a comfort read for me. And the answer is: I have no idea …
Well, I have some idea. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ve probably picked up that I’m a sucker for magic and fantasy and adventure … and I love pretty words. So, I’m probably not going to pick-up a romance novel or biography if I’m looking for comfort. But, beyond that? It really depends.
Borrowing a bit of inspiration from The Novel Cure … I give you a very rough guide to finding the perfect comfort read.
Problem: I need answers. Like, yesterday.
Solution: Why, hello literature reviews …
One of the reasons people experience anxiety is a lack of knowledge about what is going on and how things will turn out. Thankfully, we live in a world where almost the entire corpus of scientific knowledge is available with a few clicks of a button. While some of this is hidden behind paywalls and/or jargon, a well-written abstract can work wonders.
Also! Open University offers FREE (!!!) modules in epidemiology, if you’re interested in learning basic concepts and terminology!
Problem: The world feels unsteady, and you need an anchor
Solution: Turn to an old favourite
I mean, one of your old favourites. We all have a book (or two, or three) which we return to again and again. It’s always OK to read something you know and love — and which is perfectly predictable.
Problem: You’re itching for the good ol’ times
Solution: A children’s favourite
Sigh … nostalgia. Cool fact? Nostalgia has been associated with positive psychology constructs, like optimism, inspiration, creativity, self-esteem, and agency.
Problem: You literally CANNOT right now
Solution: Pure escapism
Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a bit of healthy distraction …
Problem: You feel completely and utterly alone
Solution: Characters who speak to you
That’s one of the amazing things about books, isn’t it? Finding a person — because, let’s face it, they’re people — who resonates with you in just the right way.
Problem: You’re pretty certain all the goodness has been sucked out of the world
Solution: Sprinkles of humour
Admittedly, my sense of humour is bitingly sarcastic at the best of times …
Problem: There is no light at the end of the tunnel.
Solution: Trials. Tribulations. But, everything is alright in the end.
… because, in its own way, it will be. The world will keep spinning. Nature will continue to be awesome. There are good people out there. (And, hey! It’s not zombies.)
Problem: Your attention span is shorter than a neurotic squirrel’s
Solution: Quick, easy reads
The effects of stress/anxiety on attention are very well documented … so, don’t beat yourself up too much if reading is just not. Short, easy-to-read books — or poetry — might be more accessible to you at the time.
Problem: You’ve feel like you’ve lost sight of the big picture.
Solution A: Books that connect you with larger themes.
Nature. Family. Love. Life. They’re still out there, I promise.
Solution B: Books that remind you it could be worse …
Like I said: Thank God it’s not zombies.
Problem: You really, really just need a good cry
Solution: Well, you asked for it …
The Geeky Jock 