Recently, I've had quite a few readers contact me, telling me they are at difficult points in their life and are struggling to find happiness in the day-to-day. The thing about adulthood is we can't always evade our troubles, which kind of sucks. Isn't that why, as children, we so desperately wanted to become adults? So we had freedom to do as we please at any given moment?
...Suddenly I'm reminded of Adam Sandler in Billy Madison when he grabs the child by the face and vehemently warns the kid to cherish his childhood. If you weren't a 90's kid (Sucker!), here's the clip.
Now (somewhat begrudgingly) back to the 21st century....
When life gets treacherous, sometimes the only thing you can do is fortify yourself to endure the storm, keeping your head down and eyes forward as you watch for that glimmer of promising sunlight. Since we can't avoid all stress the key is to take care of yourself, giving yourself a strong foundation, so that when you come out the other side you aren't standing around taking in the damage, like a victim of a tornado.
Side note, have you ever thought about how much it would stink to be taking a shower when a tornado hit? Or to be sleeping in that super-old, horribly-tattered, totally-beloved T-shirt when disaster strikes and you suddenly find yourself standing before a news camera answering inane questions? No? Just me? Guess I watch too many disaster movies...
I've discussed soul-weariness, anxiety journaling, natural approaches to stress and self-care, among other healthy coping mechanisms on the blog, but I have yet to discuss my ultimate line of defense when I need to retreat from the world:
Books.
Now, if you're looking for spiritual, thought-provoking reads, you won't find it here. The good news is you can find it here: Unusual Books for Your Spiritual Path.
Personally, I need a little fluff when life gets rough. When I'm in a not-so-stellar place, books are my escapism, my solace. Sometimes I want a little meat, something to reignite and inspire. But often, when things are particularly...cow pie-scented?....I reach for lighthearted reads with the sole purpose of entertainment.
These recommendations are about fun, about giving yourself a few minutes of airy happiness while you get lost between the crisp, parchment-scented pages of a book.
...Or the faint glow of an e-reader. Whatever paddles your canoe.
These books are recommended purely for enjoyment, because sometimes life kinda sucks. And sometimes you can't run from adulthood. And sometimes your state has yet to legalize marijuana, and you don't drink, and you've given up sugar, and a girl can only handle so much before she has a meltdown, shaves her head, quits her job via an obscene gesture on Instragram, and drives to Canada to live among the elk.
So before we get to places that involve soothing tones and strangers in white coats that are here to help, make yourself a cup of tea, treat yourself to a hot bath, and settle in with some deliciously indulgent reads to soothe your rattled nerves.
You ever heard of cover lust? It's when a reader loves a cover so much they read the book strictly based on the cover art. Herein lies how I came to read The Dive Runs Out of Thyme. That $#!@ is so cozy!!
Despite being a murder mystery series, Davis crafts such a cozy, charming, hot-mug-of comfort atmosphere I'm not troubled by the mayhem at all. And let me be clear, these aren't Dean Koontz-style murders. Sophie Winston spends more time whipping up treats for her endless guests and decorating the table in seasonal flare than describing dead bodies. Krista's detailing of old-town Alexandria is so beautifully vivid, my husband and I are stopping in next year as we pass through Virginia.
If you're looking for a culinary-inspired snuggly read, this is your series. It's possible this novel is sitting on my nightstand as we speak, half-read for the second time over. But there's no reason to head in there to confirm this. It's rude to wander into people's bedrooms...
Beth Ciotta is the reason I read romance. About six years ago a fellow book hoarder friend gave me a box of books. Said friend is a romance junky, something I was rigidly not at the time. But Ms. Ciotta's Out of Eden caught my attention, and thus began my love affair (pun intended) with the romance genre.
The Cupcake Lovers Series is by and large my favorite creation of Beth's, particularly Rocky and Jayce's story, The Trouble with Love. I stumbled upon this series last year after our family suffered a great loss that put me in a dark, grimy, foul-smelling place. I can't begin to tell you the happiness I felt when I opened the mailbox to see the next book had arrived. It was such an event during this dreadful time that it became a joke in my house—"Uh oh! Michaela has another book!" my husband would sing-song as I scattered undesired mail (namely bills and unsolicited catalogs) across the couch so I could tear open the package, tenderly tracing my fingers along the cover as I took in the book art.
...I told you I adore books...
...I told you I adore books...
This is a whimsical, almost silly, definitely sexy series, but it's not shallow. Rocky's story was particularly meaningful to me because her character learns that there's a lot to be lost when you shield yourself from love as a defense to pain, which was something I was experiencing after an extraordinarily detrimental death to someone I loved very, very deeply. This series was such a sparkle in the abyss I actually e-mailed Beth, something I've only done once before with another beloved author, to let her know how much I'd come to treasure her stories. I was surprised when she not only replied but did so in such a kind, heartfelt way, sharing some of her personal life with me. She really is a sweet, thoughtful woman, and I encourage you to check out her work!
Mallery's Fool's Gold series is a fun collection set in Fool's Gold, California, a place that embraces any excuse to decorate the town and host over-the-top festivals. This series can be read in any order since each book focuses on a different couple falling in love, but I highly recommend you start with Three Little Words. I've read about half of the impressive 29 novels in this series, and this is most definitely my favorite thus far. It's super sexy, has lots of juicy sexual tension, and involves a military man, which is major swoon points for me. What can I say? I love a dude in camo. Yummy with a capital "drool!"
Running Wild by Linda Howard & Linda Jones
If you've got a thing for strong, silent cowboys, this is a novel for you! Carlin (Carly) Reed is on the run from an insane ex-boyfriend. Zeke doesn't want any trouble on his ranch. Hello, sexual tension! It's a tried-and-true formula because it works! But that doesn't mean this story is stale. Once these two start knocking (cowboy) boots, look out! Running Wild is a spicy read with lots of humor, a little sass, and some serious comeuppance.
Fun Fact: I got the audiobook a few years after reading the novel. I thought the narrator did such a wonderful job I looked her up out of curiosity. Boy, was I surprised to discover it was Janice from Friends! Oh...my...God!
If you've got a thing for strong, silent cowboys, this is a novel for you! Carlin (Carly) Reed is on the run from an insane ex-boyfriend. Zeke doesn't want any trouble on his ranch. Hello, sexual tension! It's a tried-and-true formula because it works! But that doesn't mean this story is stale. Once these two start knocking (cowboy) boots, look out! Running Wild is a spicy read with lots of humor, a little sass, and some serious comeuppance.
Fun Fact: I got the audiobook a few years after reading the novel. I thought the narrator did such a wonderful job I looked her up out of curiosity. Boy, was I surprised to discover it was Janice from Friends! Oh...my...God!
If your path seems to be unpaved with worn-out shock absorbers and a stun gun under your ass, I hope these novels offer you a few moments of much-needed escape. Cheaper than a drinking habit, healthier than binge eating, reading is a beloved pastime that can make those garbage-heap moments of life just a little cozier, a bit more bearable, and a smidge sexier.
...because garbage heaps can always use a little sexiness? Not sure where I was going with that one...
Anyway, happy reading!
Do you have a favorite book that helped you through a hard time? What are some of your favorite authors?
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NOTE: As with any recommendation found on this blog, consult your doctor or naturopath before use.
NOTE: As with any recommendation found on this blog, consult your doctor or naturopath before use.
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