'Tis the season to be jolly... except sometimes, it can all be rather overwhelming. With all the stresses and strains of the holiday season, not to mention that sometimes the gulf between what we believe we should be feeling and what we actually feel can be quite large.
And so, rather than picking our favourite Christmas books, instead here are our recommended reads to cheer and console. Based on our popular Good Moods display, our Learning Centre team at Yeovil College picked the books, both fiction and non-fiction, that they turn to when in need of story-based solace...
Karen:
“I have spent the summer reading all of the Diane Chamberlain books. There are definitely better authors to pick from, but I like her books because they are easy to read and have lots of twists to keep the reader interested. This American author always focuses on the family in her stories and they often involve children, love and a bit of a mystery. Try the ‘Keeper of the Light Trilogy’. Starting with ‘Keeper of the Light’, the second in the series is ‘Kiss River’ and finally it concludes with ‘Her Mother’s Shadow’.”
Robyn:
“My favourite mood-boosting book has to be “A Streetcat Named Bob”! It’s a lovely heart-warming story about how one cat made such a difference to James’s (the author and owner of Bob) life. If anyone hasn’t read it they should!!!
My other favourite mood boosting book has to be ‘The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook’
It’s perfect for inspiring you to bake and the recipes are delicious! If you’re feeling low you can’t go wrong with cake!”
Chris:
“ Dark Tower, Volume 4—Wizard and Glass. Not your traditional feel-good book. Stephen King paints a vivid dystopian world moving towards ruin. However, at the centre of the story you will find young love, and a strong companionship between the lead characters. As with most fantasy novels, there is a sense of morality, and belief in the greater good. Fantastic escapism and a far cry from the tribulations of everyday life.”
Sally :
“I like Christina Jones as a light-hearted fun author.The books are based on different stories on the village folk in and around the villages of Bagley-cum-Russet & Hazy Hassocks. Each of the characters in her book interlink into the next book, although you do not have to read them in any order, as they are separate stories. At the end of each book there is a snippet of another book.
Christina Jones has a way of writing that takes you into her magical little village and allows you to feel as though you are part of the townsfolk. The books flow nicely and have no low parts. I have read a few books of hers. The college library hold ‘Heaven Sent’
It is a fun, light and charming book. Perfect Chick lit read!!”
Suzanne:
“I enjoy reading books by the author Cathy Glass. Cathy is a foster carer who writes about the children she fosters. Her latest book, “Please Don’t Take My Baby "tells the story of a homeless teenager who struggles to keep her baby. Her true-life stories show the suffering and courage of some of the most vulnerable children in our society. Because the stories are true the appeal is strong, and I find it very satisfying to read how a child can be helped and ultimately heal.”
April:
“I would recommend anything by Neil Gaiman, be it novel, graphic novel, short story but particularly “Stardust” as a mood-lifting book. His writing is darkly beautiful and the fairytale realm with enough humour and horror to entertain and a central romance that doesn’t reduce its characters to stereotypes. Sometimes its just good to believe in magic.
Also, Nigella Lawson’s Kitchen—her writing is so warm, witty and comforting; the descriptions and anecdotes about the gorgeous food she cooks are instantly reaffirming and reassuring, solace in themselves.”
Kern:
“Gino D’Acampo’s Fantastico: modern Italian food.This book makes me feel good as I enjoy Italian food and this book is full of very tasty recipes. It is also very informative and describes the background to each recipe. Many of the recipes are fairly easy to make.”
Jess:
“I have chosen the book “Exit Music” by Ian Rankin. I have read most of the Inspector Rebus novels by Ian Rankin so you get to know the character over the years. This book was billed as the last ever Rebus novel as it ends with his retirement (although there has since been a further book with Rebus working in a cold case civilian unit!).
This book was very well written with twists and turns that leave you guessing until the very end, that leaves you wishing that it was not the end for Rebus.”
Esther:
"If I want a book that is easy to read, but guaranteed to make me feel good, then I’ll pick up anything by Nora Roberts.In most of her novels, the protagonist is single and female, and by the end of the book has managed to ward off many dangerous criminals and fall in love! These books are my must-have holiday companion, they are a little bit unrealistic, a little bit sexy, a little bit scary and a little bit romantic – perfect!
She also writes a futuristic series as J.D. Robb which is more gritty and probably fits in to the thriller genre, but they are just as engrossing and fill up many spaces on my bookcase. I would say that Nora Roberts is my generation’s Danielle Steel (I used to steal these from my mother when I was younger!) but less predictable and more edgy – definitely my guilty pleasure."
I hope you enjoy our selection, and maybe even find your new favourite book or author. Let us know in the comments below what you would recommend we read, or what you think of our selection.
Happy Reading Everyone!
Follow us: @YC_Reading
Comments
Post a Comment