I recently asked some writer friends to share with me what books they turn to in difficult times. This is the second of two posts. You can find Part 1 here.
I appreciate the time and thought people devoted to their responses. There is inspiration here, both in the books they’ve suggested and in their reasons for choosing those books. Thank you, all!
Thank you also, to my friend, Kathy, who suggested I do this blog post. It was an inspired idea.
Aimee Reid, children’s author: Whenever we are tempted to despair of the possibility of change, it helps to remember the power of kindness and caring relationships. A novel that excels at portraying such transformation is OKAY FOR NOW by Gary Schmidt. Schmidt’s writing is so skillful that we are immersed in the point of view of his main character, Douglas. As Douglas meets new people—a reclusive writer, a librarian, thoughtful teachers, his father’s boss, and others—he finds his worldview gradually expanded beyond the limited and false views of his father. Our hearts grow with Douglas and we cheer him on as he begins to believe in new possibilities for himself and the people of the town. I turn to this book when I need reminding that we are all connected and small, seemingly ordinary acts of compassion ripple out much farther than we can imagine.
Rena Joy, author of Almost Loved: I have two. When I want a good laugh, I turn to the HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON series by Cressida Cowell. A recent favourite is GOOD GRIEF by Brianna Pastor because her work is a safe space to feel your feelings.
Laura Backes, publisher of the Children’s Book Insider newsletter, www.writeforkids.online A book I often turn to in tough times is THE POWER OF NOW by Eckhart Tolle. I discovered it during the pandemic, and review bits of it whenever I need to put the world and life into perspective. It’s a practical, gentle, and accessible reminder that all we really have is this moment, and this moment is constantly changing. As Tolle teaches, our current life situation is not the same as our life overall. And the current situation is not permanent. I especially like to listen to Tolle’s reading on the audiobook as I take a walk. Every time I revisit the book I learn something new.
Beverley Brenna, writer, editor, visual artist: Sara Cassidy’s A BOY NAMED QUEEN is a title I’ve read over and over because it’s an elegant, short, middle-grade read of the best kind: funny, poignant, illuminative in the way it reminds us to be ourselves and take care of each other, and a beautiful example of how we can create change at the personal level when the world around us is daunting and inflexible. When I read it, I feel hopeful about a future where kids like Queen and Evelyn lead the way.
Melodye Shore, writer:
It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Could you be my,
Would you be my,
Please won’t you be my neighbor?
Can you name that tune? I’m guessing most of us can picture Mr. Rogers in our mind’s eye, slipping into a casual pair of shoes as he invites us into his television home. The lyrics are notably simple. Maybe also a little bit corny. But like the songwriter himself, they inspire a spirit of inclusiveness. Joy, too, and hope. I’ve squeezed a wide assortment of books onto my library shelves, all of which are treasures in their own right. But when I’m in the mood for comforting words by a beloved author, I re-read my favorite passages in THE WORLD ACCORDING TO MISTER ROGERS.
Liz Rice, writer: Many times, when I feel that life is hard, or times are scary, like now in the US, I watch a movie. My favorite movies are musicals. That probably started when I was young. Besides Disney movies, I loved the movie musical OLIVER! and I listened to the soundtrack of it almost daily back then. The movie came out when I was 11 years old, and I was immediately immersed in following the main character through their good times and bad. Two songs from that movie that always improve my mood are: Consider Yourself at Home, and Who Will Buy This Wonderful Morning?
Beth Stilborn, writer: I confess that I struggled to answer this question! I do have books – many books – that I turn to as comfort books, but none of them seemed right for this post. Then I realized that something I turn to over and over, whether I have a book nearby or not, is poetry. I recite poetry to myself or get out one of the many poetry books on my shelf – books of my mother’s, books of my own – and I immerse myself in well-known, well-loved poems. Poems by Tennyson, or Wordsworth. Poems by e.e. cummings. Poems by Gerard Manley Hopkins (particularly The Windhover, and the first stanza of The Wreck of the Deutschland.) Poems by former president Jimmy Carter. Poems by my beloved aunt, Myra Stilborn. There is comfort and strength, refreshment and renewal in these poets’ words.
Between these two blog posts, I’ve learned about so many books that I now want to read, and I’ve learned more about the dear friends who contributed to both posts. Thank you again, friends! I hope all of you who are reading the posts will find something that brings you comfort, strength, refreshment and renewal as we continue to face the difficult times we are in. Peace to you all.
