Books We Are Thankful For

Today is Thanksgiving in the US and it’s a time remember the things we are thankful for. Books have always been a major part of our lives and we are especially thankful for the books that have been there for us when we needed them most. Here are some of the comfort books that we are most thankful for this year:                                                                                                                                                                

Sarah’s Pick:

What do we think of when we think “comfort book?” I think of something that can cheer me up; a book where I love all the characters and is short enough that rereading it, say, in a day or two, wouldn’t be a problem. I didn’t really have a book like that for the longest time. I rarely reread books and the books I read aren’t exactly the light-hearted, make you smile/laugh types. But in the last few years I’ve discovers two series that I can count on to make me smile or outright laugh out loud. I’ve found main characters that I can root for and guys that I can swoon over. And when nothing else is working I can count on these book to pull me out of my funk.

Gallagher Girls (series) by Ally Carter

I first heard about this series through Christina. She had been pushing me to read it because she said it was my type of book and that I would love it: spy girls, spy boy, missions, cool gadgets, what's not to love? (I was a huge fan of Alias when it aired.) I became almost immediately obsessed after reading the second book last year and have since read the books multiple times each (I have read Out of Sight, Out of Time 5 times so far). This series has a balance of humor and drama that I just love which is why it has quickly risen to become my favorite series. Whenever I need a comfort read, I just look to these books on my shelf.

Stephanie Plum (series) by Janet Evanovich

I first met Stephanie in December of 2011 in One for the Money. I really don’t read “adult” books but I heard about the upcoming movie and thought I’d give it a shot. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed out loud so much in a book before. They not only made me laugh but it also sent chills up my spine and made me smile at random moments in the day just thinking about it. At the beginning of this year everything else just felt to dark or depressing so I read though some of these and it really cheered me up.

I am so thankful for these series because they gave me a love for rereading (Gallagher Girls) and lots of laughs (both) and they both hold a special place in my heart.

Christina’s Pick:

For me, a comfort book is one that feels like a warm, fuzzy blanket when I fall into the story. Even if they aren’t the most cheerful books, the characters, the world, and the writing style make me so incredibly happy. These books pull me out of my world and into theirs. They are always there when I need them, and I love them for it.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (Harry Potter #1) by J.K. Rowling

I love the entire series and I get warm fuzzy feelings whenever I return to it. The first book is when those comforting warm fuzzy feelings are strongest. I love being introduced to Hogwarts all over again and getting to know Harry, Ron, and Hermione at the beginning of their friendship. It’s just magical.

Inkheart (Inkworld #1) by Cornelia Funke

This book is such a book lover’s book. It loves the written word and stories, and I love it all the more because of it.

 

Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely #1) by Melissa Marr

I just love the world and the characters so much. The writing style feels so beautiful and magical, like a fairy tale, that it always gives me comfort. The fey world is one that I have been in love with for a while, and Marr writes it better than anyone else.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Falling into the beautiful language and the familiar story is comforting. I can’t really explain it more than that. Reading something that I love as much as I love P&P is always a wonderful experience.

Percy Jackson and the Lighting Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan

I added this one for the same reason I added HP #1: I love the series and this is the book that introduces me to the world and characters. It also helps that it is one of the more cheerful books on this list… what can I say, it’s cheerful by my standard.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I noticed that the past two years I’ve read this on spring break. It seems that after school wears me down for a while, I need a pick me up from this book. I love the friendship in the story, it just makes everything fun and happy (even though that is not the case for the entire book). I also love the fact that I can travel to Paris through it.

I hope all of you have a fantastic day! What are some books that you are thankful for?