TGIF is hosted by Ginger at GReads. This week is a subject I love: Comfort Books.
Do you have books that you read over and over again when you need a smile or a cry or a good swoon? I have books like that. It doesn’t matter how any times I read them, they bring me such comfort. Sometimes old books (as in ones we’ve read so often we can recite them) are better than new ones. They’re like old friends.
When I need a smile, I always grab a Princess Diaries book. I’ve read the whole series many times, but I gravitate toward Forever Princess, Princess in Love and The Princess Present. Still, I’ve been known to reread the whole series at once when I need a larger supply of smiles. It’s like a big hug.
Another go-to happy book for me is Austenland by Shannon Hale. Anything that 1) references Jane Austen characters and 2)pokes lighthearted fun at Austenites is for me. The concept here (a girl who stays at a super-secret resort which recreates Austen life, characters and fantasies that star the patrons? Hello, I’m there) is fun and the humor, the writing and the characters are completely charming. And Mr. Nobley (the book’s Darcy)? Swoon City, baby.
Finally, a book that never ever fails to make me happy is The Truth About Forever. It has it all: humor, friendships, Armageddon experts (ha ha), romance and one of the most swoonworthy boys ever created.
Happy Friday!
YA Crush 
My copy of The Princess Diaries is on its way! I only ever saw the movie so I’m really excited to read the books 🙂
it’s so far beyond amazing and so much better than the movie, you’ll love it, brittany! ~d
Prepare for major swoonericity (it’s a new word. I’m going with it). The movie is super cute, but different in every way. You’ll love it!
Oh man, I can’t wait!!! I hope it’s in the pile of packages I get to pick up tomorrow 🙂
i want to reread the truth about forever and austenland, too! also, i started rereading the princess diaries and stopped on the fifth book, i need to finish! ~dixie
Yes, I very much agree. I think you should get on that. I want to do a reread too. It’s been a while since I’ve gone through them in order.
Oh, Forever Princess… swoon! When Michael and Mia are in the carriage at Central Park… oh my heart clinched! Wanna hear a great story about Austenland? Our local library has a used book store and I found an ARC of Austenland, complete with CD in it. I’m so excited about getting to read it!
Oh that carriage ride! Could my heart pitter patter more? And OMG the text: I’m not sorry and I will wait. I was DYING!!!!! 🙂 I think you’ll like Austenland. Score on the ARC with CD!
This is a great list! Meg Cabot is a go to for me – but more the Boy Next Door types? Easier vicarious living… 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
Totally agree! What’s funny is I agreed with this before I realized my sister wrote it 🙂
The Truth about Forever is AWESOME. It was my first Dessen experience, and I fell in love with her writing because of it!
I totally agree on The Truth About Forever! It always makes me happy too… Sa-woon!
Wes Baker never gets old. And neither does Bert. I love that dork!