For me, reading, like for so many other people, is the best form of escapism – without even leaving your home you can travel to different lands or different times, or even worlds, and become engrossed in the lives of others.
In our current situation, this escapism is more important than ever before, and I don’t think I have ever been more grateful for my book collection, especially now libraries have had to be temporarily closed.
I find that all the stress and uncertainty around has led me to lean upon old favourites, characters as familiar as friends, tales I can trust to not disappoint, and, to a certain extent, which provide the happy ending we all so need right now.
So, in no particular order, here’s my Top 10 Classic Escapism Reads – it was not easy to compile, but they all leave me with a happy, contented feeling, maybe because I’ve loved them since childhood, or because they make me laugh, or because they inspire me. Are there any you’d add?
1: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott – Just so lovely, and Jo is such a brilliant character – when she turns down Laurie! I haven’t seen the latest film, but will soon. https://amzn.to/3dtODeH
2: What Katy Did by Susan Coolidge – My mum won a copy of this when she was at school and lent it to me to read when I was 12. I haven’t given it back yet… https://amzn.to/33Jqa0m
3: Blandings Castle by P.G. Wodehouse – anything by P.G. Wodehouse really… also really enjoyed the television series of this. https://amzn.to/2vNb6ST
4: The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder – So sweet and gentle, we could all do with a bit of Ma and Pa’s wisdom. https://amzn.to/33MC3mm
5: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – the humour, the language, MR DARCY, what’s not to love? https://amzn.to/39gpi4I
6: Three Men in a Boat by J.K. Jerome – Laugh out loud humour from a bygone age. You’ll never be able to look at a tin of pineapple slices without smiling again. https://amzn.to/33JCCgR
7: Tell Me How You Live? by Agatha Christie (Mallowan) – Agatha Christie’s memoirs of her time spent working on archaeological digs with her husband. It’s warm and funny, with some charming vignettes. https://amzn.to/2JdyFYb
8: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte – I get so indignant by how Jane is treated, I can’t stop reading until she gets her ending. Completely engrossing and unputdownable. https://amzn.to/2Ug2HRk
9: Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell – Scarlett has got to be one of the most inspiring heroines ever written – she might not always make the right choices, but by crikey does she have gumption! https://amzn.to/2JgiV6I
10: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde – my absolute favourite play, mainly because of the fabulous Lady Bracknell, but also because it’s extraordinarily funny and cleverly written. https://amzn.to/2xmYaUg
Look out for my Top Ten modern feel-good reads to keep us all entertained while we’re stuck at home.x
P.S. My links are generally to my ‘dream editions’, there are many cheaper options available, but I love me some book porn!
LEAVE A COMMENT
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Sara Davies5 years ago
This is why we are friends! I have What Katy Did somewhere, carefully covered in wallpaper. I’m going to read it for the first time in 50 years….