Easter, my friends, didn’t go according to plan. Mr Douglas had an unexpected stay in hospital. He’s fine and on the mend again now (and, truly, I love our public healthcare system), but I discovered that hanging out at a hospital for five days with not a whole lot to do can be rather taxing. So, what’s a girl to do?
What she does is opens her iPad mini, goes to her Kindle app and browses among the many books she’s downloaded in the last two years and settles down to read something undemanding that will whisk her away from the smell of antiseptic for a while. The book I opened was THE HANOVER SQUARE AFFAIR—the first book in Ashley Gardner’s Captain Lacey regency mystery series. I can’t even tell you why I chose that particular book, but by the time I was halfway through it, I started to feel rejuvenated. [And, um…I’m now up to Book 9 in the series.]
About six years ago, one side of my family was going through a bit of a rough time. I forced Mary Janice Davidson’s UNDEAD AND UNWED on three of the women. It didn’t change the situation we were dealing with, but it provided us all with a good laugh and gave us something fun and a bit silly to chat about. It provided a bit of breathing space.
One of the first reader letters I ever received was from a woman who was in hospital for the eleventh (!!!) time for the same thing. She thanked me for writing a book that took her away from reality for a couple of hours and gave her a bit of respite.
Books can be many things. They can shine a new light on an old problem, posit answers to the meaning of life, be considered art, be considered trash, be entertaining, touching, funny and sad. But they can also be a source of comfort and provide us with a momentary escape for an hour here and there.
I give thanks for books everyday. The two I’ve mentioned above won’t ever make it onto my all-time favourite books list, but that doesn’t stop me from holding them in a great deal of affection. Is there a particular book that holds good memories for you because helped get you through a difficult time?
Note added for all who are interested: Book 1 in Ashley Gardner's Captain Lacey Regency mystery series is currently free at Amazon.
