We’ve had a long 16 months of stressful events. Not all of those events have been bad. Many have been happy things—like weddings!—which produce stress nonetheless. During such seasons of life, even if we run first to Jesus, most of us grab hold of something familiar, something that makes us feel secure. No unlike the way our infants and toddlers reached for their pacifiers or blankets when they were tired or overwhelmed or uncertain. As adults, our “security blankets” can be things that aren’t particularly good for us, and I can certainly fall into that category. But when emotion gets really out of control in my life, when the stress builds up until I think I will break, I tend to reach for one thing:
Books.
Not just any books, mind you. When I’m stressed, I can’t pick up a new-to-me book or author. The “not knowing” keeps from from losing myself in unfamiliar pages. And so I reach for very specific books in these moments. Stories I can practically recite verbatim.
I’ve thought about why I do this. I definitely believe these stories soothe me through their familiarity, just like a child’s blankie. Many of these books I’ve read since childhood, so the memory of a less worry-laden time of life is also embedded in those pages. These books also require less time and effort for my overburdened mind, allowing me to skim through the pages quickly, having read them so many times before. And I avoid the stress of a new story because I know these characters’ endings, see it in every word leading me to the same place once again. And I know that ending will satisfy. Every. Single. Time.
So what are my security blanket books? Here’s the list, the books that sit on the edge of my bookshelves wall. Dog-eared, spine-cracked books, some over 40 years old. Maybe you’ll find a few of your own security blanket books on my list. Or perhaps you’ll find something new to read.
- Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder (Every single one, sometimes in order all the way through,
sometimes just a particular book with a particular story I need to re-read. I’ve had my set since I was 8, and I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read each book!) - Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery (Ditto from above, although I didn’t discover this series until I was about 12!)
- Emily of New Mooon series by L.M. Montgomery (See a theme here?)
- The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery (A more obscure Montgomery title, but oh, so wonderful! Probably the “newest” read on my list, having found it accidentally about 15 years ago.)
- Little Women by Louisa May Alcott (Yes, my security blanket reads often take characters all the way from girl to woman!)
- Train to Estelline by Jane Roberts Wood (A short historical epistolary novel with a romance and a mystery that I’ve returned to again and again since I found it over 20 years ago.)
- Not My Will by Francena H. Arnold (When I need reminding that God can change a willful, stubborn girl into one submitted to His will.)
Do you have go-to re-reads for your most stressful life seasons? What are they and why do you return to them again and again?
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I wholeheartedly endorse your list! I was so glad to see Not My Will on your list! It’s been a favorite of my since I was ayoung teen. I recently introduced my book club to it, all of whom, surprisingly, had never read it. The only one I didn’t know on your list was Train to Estilline. I will have to try that one out.
I love finding another Not My Will fan! And I hope you check out Train to Estelline. It is my most favorite ending ever to a book.
I definitely go back to my favorite books when I am stressed. I just re-read Becky Wade’s Porter brother series. Love to re-read Sarah Ladd, Tamera Alexander, Irene Hannon, Kristi Hunter, Melissa Tagg, Sondra Kraak, Lori Benton, Laura Frantz . .. to name a few on my shelf that have been loved over and over.
Those are some great authors to re-read! There is just something about picking up a book you know you love when life gets crazy.
When I am stressed, I pick up one of my already read books by Grace Livingston Hill. 🙂
Ah, yes! I have a whole shelf of those, too! There are two or three that I continually go back to, especially The Spice Box. Have you read that one?
I love The Blue Castle!! It’s always been one of my mom’s favorite books and then it became one of mine. She also introduced me to several other books and series on your list. I cry every time I read Not My Will.
Tears are important for me in all of these books! I think that’s another reason we return to the familiar–to draw out the tears we haven’t yet shed over the present.
I had never thought of them as security blankets, but you’re exactly right! Anne of Green Gables is a definite one, along with Little Women. I would also include Alcott’s Jo’s Boys, Eight Cousins, and Rose in Bloom, which have been favorites since childhood (adding to your themes:). The newer books I reach for seem to have characters that I just want to hang out with.
Those are more great ones by Alcott! And I agree–the books we re-read and the news ones we’re drawn to are all about character.
I recognized your security blanket reads, because I have the same Anne set myself from the 80s, which is equally worn & loved! Usually I turn to my books by LaVyrle Spencer, also loved & worn, for that kind of comfort. I never really thought about them being a place of security, but when you’re literally reading the same book for the 26th time, just so you can get “that feeling”, security is just the right thing to call it!
Yes! “That’feeling” is the perfect way to say it. And when there are books you’ve read so very many times you know just where to find what feeling you are searching for.
I love this post!!! I, too, have those go-to books. I have my Little House on the Prairie collection (I got mine when I was 8, too), Harry Potter series, Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, Mansfield Park by Jane Austen, and Jane Eyre by Bronte.
Great list! And varied. I love that!
YES! I re-read Dee Henderson’s books! And/or listen to them on Audio books!
That’s awesome–especially that you can also listen to them if you want to!
I love knowing that someone else does this too! I call them my “comfort” books, much like comfort food. They’re the books that I know I can escape into for just a little while, without having to use too much brainpower because I know them so well. The entire Anne of Green Gables series is at the very top of my list, followed by Little Women, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and Robin Jones Gunn’s Glenbrooke series.
Yep–just like comfort food, only fewer calories! 🙂 It would have helped if I’d only reached for my books this past year, but alas, one of the most stressful seasons and all my books were packed away and in a different city! So happy to have them back!
I rarely re-read, but if I did and needed a calming, lovely read, it would be Jan Karon’s Mitford series.
One of my favorites too!
Yes, such wonderful reads. And they would be particularly good when stress in life is high!
For me it is the “Miss Read”. Books. Both the Thrush Green and Fairacre ones. Also Jan Karon. Comfortable easy and encouraging light reads.
All great reads for stressful life moments! 🙂
Oh Anne, I completely agree with your list. So glad to hear someone else has “security books!” I think of them as old friends. I don’t even have to read the entire book, sometimes it is just reading a bit after a very stressful day and it is so relaxing. The Blue Castle is one of my all time favorite books. I read it at least once a year as does my daughter. She has passed my book around so often to friends, that it is completely tattered. Thank you so much for sharing!
Yay for The Blue Castle! I love finding readers who love that book and re-read it often! And yes, I love that I can pick up any of my comfort books and read just a snippet and I get that “ahhhh” feeling. 🙂
Betty Neels
I had never heard of her but I looked her up and she is quite interesting. I’ll have to try one of her books. 🙂
Interesting blog post! I’m not a re-reader so can’t relate in that way. I definitely see there are book moods and there are times a reader wants a trusted author that they feel confident they will love. Other times, readers are ready for an adventure and trying a new author.