January 2021: A Month Full of Cozy, Comfy Reads
Hello everyone,
My reading year got off to an OK start this year. It has honestly been great, but I am aware of the fact that I am focusing mostly on comfort reading that doesn’t have a ton of substance. I did try and pick up a more serious book at one point, and ultimately decided to give into my need for comfort reading of all kinds. I got to start my Miss Marple books (HERE and HERE), and I really enjoyed some great cozy reading.
Great Comfort Reads
Of course I have comfort reads to share with you this month! The two favorites I have to share with you illustrate two different types of comfort reading, both of which have meant a lot to me this month.
Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy
Where do I start with these books? Binchy is, at least for me, quintessential comfort reading. I find it almost impossible to describe these delicious (long) novels. They are sweeping, although they rarely leave the confines of Dublin and whatever small country town Binchy invents. They are cozy and small in their focus, and yet, their characters grow, develop and experience the full range of human emotions. They are often petty, and yet always sweet.
What I love the most is that these are stories where justice is done (most of the time), people usually grow and learn and become better people, and those who don’t usually get what they deserve.
This book in particular is the story of two young girls from a small town in Dublin who grow up as best friends. When they get to university age, they begin lives in Dublin and their worlds expand. Both Eva and Bennie are wonderful, warm characters and their friendship is the sweetest heart to a book I could imagine.
The Thirteen Problems by Miss Marple
I already talked about this in depth earlier this month, but this was such a fun book for me to read!
Murder mysteries are soothing for me because they have a fairly predictable satisfying story arc. I am a reader who loves exploring HOW a story is told, and murder mysteries are so fun in this way because the “beats” of the story are familiar, but the characters and plot are different so it’s a lovely blend of new and old.
Beautiful Graphic Novels
Séance Tea Party by Reimena Yee
This was the sweetest book and one of the most beautiful graphic novels I have read for a long time. This is the story of a friendship between a ghost and a young girl who desperately wants to hang on to her childhood as her friends start to discover teenage interests.
It becomes even more magical when the ghost girl begins to discover the world around her as well, and the ending honestly made me tear up without being at all predictable. A wonderful gift for the 8-14 year olds in your life.
Happy reading!
