The soothing power of the comfort read

After Tuesday nights upset with Cable Guy and having no internet or cable for the evening I really needed to do something else because I really didn’t want to watch a movie. I did what came naturally. I read a book. But I had a dilemma. I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to start a new book from my rather large TBR pile I’ve done that before, started to read a new book when I’m not in the mood, and the book has suffered for it. It might be a very good book, but I’m in the mood for something familiar, something comforting. So Tuesday, after I failed to convince Cable Guy to send someone out that night, I reached for a book that has soothed me in the past. Wild at Heart by Patricia Gaffney. It never fails to make me feel good. For those who have never read it, the hero Michael MacNeil was in a boating accident when he was young and visiting Ontario with his aunt and uncle. The boat sunk, killing his aunt and uncle and leaving him virtually alone in the wilderness. With the help of the wolves, he manages to raise himself. He is found many years later and has lost much of his “self”. When he is found, he is sent to Professor Winters who does experiments on our poor hero thinking he is a “lost” man. Eventually though, the professor loses interest in Michael and it is up to Professor Winters children to teach Michael the ways of the world. The heroine, daughter Sydney, a young widow is attracted to Michael despite his wildness because of his innocence. It’s a wonderful love story. I started reading it and it calmed me down.

Comfort reads are a great thing. I have a number of different ones and that one just fit the bill. So how about anyone else? What are your comfort reads and do they help when you need them? I know mine do.

And are there times when you just know the time isn’t right to be starting a new book?