Brook Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 (edited) I have just read If You Sing like That for Me, a short story by Akhil Sharma about a woman trapped in an unhappy marriage. It was so beautiful it moved me to tears. I felt a powerful affinity with Anita, and through her all the other millions of people in the world isolated by family ties. Thank God I have stories.What stories have helped you through dark times? Edited May 9, 2013 by Brook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 (edited) That's an interesting question. I often turn to something by C S Lewis such as The Chronicles of Narnia when I'm in a dark place. I'm sure there are other books that have helped me though. I will have a think. But I also wanted to say I'm sorry you're feeling so sad in your circumstances If you want to talk about it please do, this is a very supportive forum. Or PM me if you want. And welcome to the forum Edited April 1, 2013 by ~Andrea~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brook Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 Thanks Andrea, that's kind of you. C S Lewis' stories are wonderful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Mabel Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 The Five People You Meet in Heaven is that type of book for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brook Posted April 1, 2013 Author Share Posted April 1, 2013 That looks really interesting Miss Mabel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted April 1, 2013 Share Posted April 1, 2013 (edited) I tend to read light, funny books when I'm not in a good head space. Nothing challenging or angst ridden. I just want to escape into a safe, happy place so authors like PG Wodehouse (Jeeves and Wooster etc) fit the bill. If you like animals Gerald Durrell's books are wonderfully funny, particularly his Corfu trilogy 'My Family and Other Animals' and another funny writer, where animais feature strongly, Joyce Fussey.I hope you can find some peace in your situation Edited April 1, 2013 by poppy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted April 2, 2013 Share Posted April 2, 2013 Elizabeth Flock's But Inside I'm Screaming. I have to say I don't remember anything about the book... But when I was depressed, I happened to come by a copy of this and read it, and I found it therapeutic at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inver Posted April 13, 2013 Share Posted April 13, 2013 The Five People You Meet in Heaven is that type of book for me. That is the book that helped me through a sad time after mum died. Also Tuesdays with Morrie and For One more Day. All his books have a certain something about them that hits a chord with me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Mabel Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 when I was younger (lots younger) I found it comforting to read the book Mrs. Mike. I always thought it was a stand alone book and have just recently found it to be a series. Althought it is a sad book in parts, it is also a very uplifting book. And, funny at times too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 I used to reread The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment...ie The Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart when I was upset, or blue. That was ages ago, but at the time they worked. They were like old friends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Mabel Posted April 14, 2013 Share Posted April 14, 2013 When I'm in a really romantic mood I have a couple favorite Historical Romances I love to read. they are old friends that rekindle that feeling of true love being possible. They are from Laurie McBain. the titles were Moonstruck Madness and Devil's Desire. And another title I can't remember at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devi Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 (edited) I always escape with a fantasy series, I love to imagine what it would be like to be that character and to live in that world. Its almost like living a double life. Edited April 21, 2013 by Devi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Talisman Posted April 21, 2013 Share Posted April 21, 2013 The books that have helped me through the darkest times (and there have been lots of them) tend to be more non fiction rather than stories - The Conversations with God books for example, or the works of Eckhart Tolle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artemis Posted May 13, 2013 Share Posted May 13, 2013 Fairy stories - the older the better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackwhiteandgray Posted July 8, 2013 Share Posted July 8, 2013 Lost Boys by Orson Scott Card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I don't think I have a particular book or even a genre when I'm feeling stressed or down or something like that. All my reading tends to be a form of escapism of some sort, (relaxing after a long day, getting some time alone, bored in a waiting room), so pretty much anything that isn't too deep or heavy going will always fit the bill for me. Actually, I'm probably more likely to turn a to film if I'm really down. A real popcorn blockbuster with lots of explosions and very little plot usually does for me then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ooshie Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 If I'm feeling stressed or anxious, I can't cope with the extra emotion anything romantic or moving will cause - I tend to go for quite violent psychological thrillers as they just take my mind off everything! I have to be feeling very happy and positive to cope with anything like chick lit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodwich Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 Wodehouse is always a great cure for the temporary blues. I'll also re-read certain favorite sections of my favorite Tom Sharpe and Terry Pratchett books or read a few essays by Dave Barry and David Sedaris. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBookLover Posted July 25, 2013 Share Posted July 25, 2013 I love reading Harry Potter. It is cliche but I love leaving behind any troubles and escaping into the world of magic. I do also enjoy reading a book that can help me relate to the problem. Do you have any other books that have helped you through dark times? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterharris Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 When I'm somewhere very dark I pick up the works of Francois Rabelais. 'Naturally bookmarked' by where it falls open are the most outrageous and disgusting passages! It works every time ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardengirl Posted September 13, 2013 Share Posted September 13, 2013 Just like some other readers, I need something light, and very non-harrowing as an antidote. So I turn to the short pieces written by Alan Coren, funny and surreal, I have been known to burst into laughter reading them on buses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 P G Wodehouse always cheers me up, especially the Jeeves and Wooster novels. Clive James' Unreliable Memoirs always have me in fits of laughter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kreader Posted October 3, 2013 Share Posted October 3, 2013 It has to be fiction. Sometimes I'd go for a light read. CS Lewis was handy when I was a child. There are times that I like a dark read. Ann Bishop's Black Jewels series works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JedCohelo Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 I tend to read light, funny books when I'm not in a good head space. Nothing challenging or angst ridden. I just want to escape into a safe, happy place so authors like PG Wodehouse (Jeeves and Wooster etc) fit the bill. If you like animals Gerald Durrell's books are wonderfully funny, particularly his Corfu trilogy 'My Family and Other Animals' and another funny writer, where animais feature strongly, Joyce Fussey. I hope you can find some peace in your situation am like you. I tend to go towards funny: In dark times: Nick horny-high fidelity. Bonfire of the vanities (BUT from kinde 20% onwards)..the beginning is about characters I don't care about..it's just building structure..but from 20% it becomes the funniest book I've read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JedCohelo Posted February 15, 2014 Share Posted February 15, 2014 P G Wodehouse always cheers me up, especially the Jeeves and Wooster novels. Clive James' Unreliable Memoirs always have me in fits of laughter What P.G Wodehouse book would you recomend I read? oh, I just read 'Three men on a bender'(normally I would read a book with a title liek that)..but I really enjoyed it. Oh, Another book I should have mentioned..which is my guilty pleasure, please don't judge me:' the perks of being a wallflower'...YES, I know I could be criticized infinetly..but I really, really enjoyed it. Go, ahead put my reader credibility down 1000 points Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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