My Recommended Reading

I love to read to relax; in fact, I always read before bed. What should you read when you're feeling really down or frazzled or just need an escape? Well, I have several books to recommend.

For the frazzled...

Chicken Soup for the Soul (Volumes 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as the other more specific collections) - These books are the greatest, and I guarantee that they will lift your spirits. They are chocked full of anecdotes, stories, and quotes to put a smile on your face. GREAT STUFF!!!!

Poetry - I would specifically recommend the "Lake Poets", Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Seamus Heaney, and Shakespeare. Poetry, with all of its romantic and beautiful language, is very calming and helps you put things into perpective.

Any Book by Lucy Maud Montgomery (most highly recommended for the frazzled would be The Blue Castle, The Story Girl, Magic for Marigold, and Anne of Green Gables) - Lucy Maud Montgomery's novels are particularly popular with the younger set, but lots of adults read them as well. When ever I find myself "drowning" in all of my activities, my favorite books to reach for are those of L.M. Montgomery. She uses very descriptive, beautiful language, and her stories are very light-hearted without being too predictable.

The Bible - For those of you Christians out there, The Bible is a wonderful source of inspiration when you are feeling troubled, especially the Gospels. Visit here for some of my favorite Bible verses and passages.

Any Book by James Herriot (specifically, his little series: All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, All Things Wise and Wonderful, Our Lord God Made Them All, and Every Living Thing) - James Herriot is the ultimate storyteller, and his stories show a lot about his personality and character, and I can tell he must've been a wonderful person. I will quote some of his reviews, so you'll see that I'm not alone in my thinking... "What makes these Herriot books so appealing is... the veterinarian himself- his good humor and ability to laugh at himself, his love of animals, and- most of all- his gifts as a healer and as a natural storyteller." - John Barkham Reviews "It makes one smile to realize that there are still good and decent people in this world. Dr. Herriot is a wonderful storyteller, and he must be a wonderful man." - Newsweek "Human beings just naturally respond to a writer as lovable, wholesome, eloquent, humorous, and well stocked with anecdotes as James Herriot." - Chicago Tribune Book World

Any Calvin and Hobbes or Fox Trot book - Both these comic strips are so imaginative and light-hearted that they help you forgot your troubles, or the long annoying day you had, or all the studying you had to do for your finals. I find them to be a very good escape.

New to this list are the wonderful books by Alexander McCall Smith in the "Number One Ladies' Detective Agency" Series. The characters, particularly Mma Ramotswe and Mma Makutsi, are so full of life, and the way he describes Botswana certainly makes me want to check it out for myself. While these books are billed as mysteries, they truly are more character studies, and Previous Romatswe, the main detective in question, uncovers more than the average detective, truly getting at what is beneath the surface of the people she encounters. Settle down for a cup of tea and read all about her adventures!