Are there any favorite books you turn to when you feel sad or unhappy?

[Moksha]

I'm thinking of those books that always cheer you up. It could be poems, novels, non-fiction...anything that always inspires and uplifts you. Are there specific chapters/ passages of those books?

[Orwell20]

I love a bit of Tolkien, especially when I feel low. The most comforting books are the ones that take me out of the here and now – fantasy, sci fi, etc. Weirdly, I also find Philip Larkin's poetry comforting! Oh, and pretty much anything by Dickens or Hardy.

[Just.Fin]

I go to Tolkien, Pratchett and Bryson. Audio books usually.

[Dougella]

Any of the Adrian Mole diaries by Sue Townsend.

[choirgirl]

Basically any good children's books from my childhood. Or Harry Potter, in fact I first read HP when I was quite down.

[Just.Fin]

Originally Posted by Galatea

I'm another who turns to books I read when young - some of Enid Blyton's "Adventure" or "Mystery" series; also P.G. Wodehouse's stories of dottiness in stately homes; Gerald Durrell's "My Family and Other Animals"; pony stories. And Alan Coren's humour.

Generally things that take me to other, sunny, carefree places and make me smile.

I love the Durrel books. I wish id found them as a kid but I only came across them in my later 20s.

[Moksha]

I often read out loud from my favorite books. It's the best therapy I know. The following always cheer me up:

P G Wodehouse: Right Ho Jeeves. A flawless masterpiece. Beautiful language, brilliant dialogue, and possibly the funniest piece of writing in English.

Patrick Leigh Fermor: A Time of Gifts. Fermor was a travel writer who seems to love everyone and everything. Amazing antidote to the blues.

Aldous Huxley:Crome Yellow. Huxley at his best - sharp, clever, witty and brilliant.

I can dip into any of those three and random, read them out loud and feel happier.