If you celebrate Happy Easter, if not, I’d say enjoy the day
but it seems a little inappropriate considering the current circumstances. We
should all be at home unless we are keyworkers. If you are a keyworker, I’d like to say
thank you for all you are doing.
This is going to be a short post this month as it is a
holiday weekend. I thought I would take the opportunity to talk about books
that you go to when you feel the need to be cheered up, your comfort blanket
books. Or am I the only one who has those? As a family we have them, we also
have our go-to films and tv programmes. They used to be Shrek, Friends and Ally
McBeal, particularly for my daughter. Recently she had surgery and I found her
watching Friends again as she was too ill to read.
I have some go-to books for when I am feeling
overwhelmed and I need to escape I will often reread one of the following.
Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild. I have loved this book
since I was a child. My mother introduced me to it. It was a book I’d often
read when things were difficult at school.
Silver Brumby by Elyne Mitchell. I was introduced to this
book by my sister Jacky. It is such an evocative story and of course, it is
about horses.
Then there is Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and The BFG
by Roald Dahl, I know these might be contentious, but they are still stories I
love.
Elizabeth Goudge’s The Little White Horse, again another
very evocative story. I love her descriptions of food.
Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief, such a powerful book based in
World War 2. Something I can easily get lost in.
Finally, is the first Harry Potter story, Harry Potter and
the Philosopher's Stone by J K Rowling, I read this with my children. I also
studied it at university. It has fond memories, so for me, it is like being
wrapped in a big hug.
I have only really looked at the MG and YA books that I use.
I do have some adult books that I reach for occasionally but I must be honest
most of the time I reach for one of the above if I am feeling anxious or I need
to escape from the real world for a bit. Judge me if you want, but they are in the main beautifully written.
What are your go-to books if you have them when you need to
escape?
Dr Vanessa Harbour
@VanessaHarbour
