Happy Place Books
MOOD STATUS: "Thoughtful". A lot of things on my mind.
RECENT IPOD DOWNLOAD: "You only get what you give" by Free Radicals
I'll be honest and say that I've had some depressing news as of late. Nothing writing related. I've just been dealing with a lot of illnesses and death in my little social circle, and it's been wearing on me a bit.
Usually when I'm down or want to relax, I like to escape with a good book at night. I'm reading a pretty good one right now, but I wasn't in the mood for its tone. I needed a more happy or lighthearted book. One that I know would put a smile on my face before I went to sleep. You know the ones. Those are the kind of books you re-read, so you probably have them tucked away on some bookshelf in your home.
The book I automatically went in search of was on a shelf in my den. (I really should keep it in my bedroom for just such an emergency.) But anyway, it's one of my favorites because it's fun and inspirational. The book is called "Catch a Rising Star" by Tracey Bateman.
Here's the blurb:
When thirty-something Tabby Brockman has the opportunity to reclaim her role as a killed-off character on the nation's #1 daytime soap opera, she figures this must be God's reward. But back on the set, she's faced with the same hateful head writer who killed off her character in the first place, kids who drive her crazy, a stage dad who rubs her completely wrong, and and an unwanted boyfriend who can't seem to get the message. Faced with this dizzying rollercoaster of challenges, Tabby has to wonder: is she finally a star on the rise or just on the brink of another spectacular fall?
It's sooooooooooooo cute, and after the first three pages I was already mentally in a better place. It was as if I was wrapped in a Snuggie eating ice cream.
If reading isn't therapeutic, I don't know what is. :)
Have a great weekend!
Do you have a book (or books) that automatically put you in your "happy place" too?
33 comments:
Sounds like a great book. I'm sorry you're dealing with so much crappy-crap.
My favorite to re-read is "Something Wicked" by Jo Beverly. I love the angst.
I'm sorry you've been down, Jennifer.
I generally don't reread books. When I need a pick me up, I head out to the garden.
Praying for your comfort and peace of mind today, Jennifer. Sorry you''ve been dealing with some terrible news.
I love to pick up a book that takes me to another world or to other peoples' lives some times.
Hang in there.
Skimming through Peace Like a River does this for me or reading non-fiction like Flashbang or something by Donald Miller.
Sorry you've been going through a lot.
~ Wendy
Sorry to read about your difficulties, hope things turn around soon. Isn't it wonderful how books can be so many different things ... uplifting, transporting, escape, adventure. The beauty of words ...
I'm sorry for all you've had to deal with lately. Books are cheap therapy, I think. I love books like that! It sounds like a good one. My comfort books. . . .I think it's gotta be Harry Potter. I just love em :)
Yes, reading IS theraputic. I like the ice cream/snugglie analogy.
I hope your friends' health improves!
Love
Jen
My happy book is Places in the Heart by Billie Letts. And, NO, don't watch the Lifetime movie instead. The book is so sweet and compelling; the made for TV movie just can't do it justice.
I've heard of this author, but not the book. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I'll check it out.
Chick lits help me feel better.
I bet that author would be thrilled to know you reached for her book to help your mood! Hope today is a great one and that something happens to lift all that stuff! I'm sorry you are going through it--it does dampen our days.
I'm so glad the book helped to lift your mood:) I just reach for one of my favorite historical romances by Julie Garwood. That usually takes me out of reality for awhile:)
I'm sorry, Jennifer...I hope you're able to find a little escape. When I need one, I usually get into a hot bath with historical novels that completely take me away from where I am at present.
Hope your weekend is restful. :)
I'm sorry you're having a rough time lately :( But you're right, books do boost the spirits! I love reading Calvin and Hobbes comics and the Stephanie Plum novels (by Janet Evanovich) whenever I'm feeling blue. Laughter is fantastic medicine, and reading those always makes me laugh out loud!
I hope things pick up for you soon!
Reading is my escape from everything else. So it's definitely therapeutic.
Make it a Dove ice cream bar and I'm all set too.... I don't have a book that I keep going back too. I feel too guilty that there are so many new ones out there to read that I can't go back. That's what TV reruns are for. :O)
I don't have a "go to" book, but I love getting lost in a book, especially when I'm having a bad day. Hope yours goes better.
Wrapped in a Snuggie...too funny! I have several books I turn to when I need a mental escape. I'm sorry your friends are hurting.
Hard news is never easy to deal with! Time heals almost all wounds. Thinking of you!
I'm sorry you've been down. Hope today is better :) I'm that way with movies moreso than books. (I know! And I call myself a writer!) I pop in Pretty Woman or Dirty Dancing and I'm either laughing my butt off or trying to keep myself from licking the television ;)
Thanks, ladies!
I'm feeling pretty good today. :)
Oh, Inkheart!! (actually, Inkspell is my favorite of the three) I adore those books.
Reading really is a nice way to escape from some of the hard realities sometimes. Hang in there.
Have a great weekend! :-)
Are we running in the same social circles? I just buried a good friend this week. I'm so glad this week is over. And on the day he died another friend of ours passed as well. I'm going to get lost in my edits tonight and just forget this whole week even happened.
I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. I hope things look up.
I'm going to add Catch a Rising Star to my tbr list. =)
There's nothing better than a snuggie, ice cream and a good book!! :) I hope you weekend is great.
Sorry life hasn't been so good to your circle of friends. Here's to a brighter future.
T. Anne: Ugh. We only had one sudden death--but a lot of terrible illnesses. Sorry to hear about your friends. {hugs}
Thanks, ladies. :)
Hope you'll feel better soon. Yes, reading is therapeutic, especially slow-paced fiction which takes you away from your own surrounding...
Usually when I'm feeling down, I turn to music rather than my books. That scripture, "Put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness" is so true.
One of the funniest books I've read in a long time was Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer. It had been in my TBR pile for ages, and I laughed through the whole story.
I'm glad the book is helping you to get thru a bad time. I read a lot after a very stressful time in my life and it helped. I used to re-read books but not recently. I have so many new books I want to read.
I'm sorry things have been rough for your circle of friends.
I'm sorry to hear about all the bad news. :-(
I haven't heard of that particular Bateman book! Sounds adorable. When I need something light I head to the library for some historical romances. ;-)
I hope things are looking up for you soon. :)
I do have a book series that I love. Joanna Campbell Sloan's "Kiki Lowenstein Scrap-N-Craft Mystery" series! I discovered it this past winter. I'm also in love with the "Sister Ink" by Rebeca Seitz, Nora Robert's Bride Quartet series, & "The Wedding" by Nicholas Sparks.
North of Hope by Jon Hassler.
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