Books to read when you're feeling wobbly
Sophie Lombardi
Books have the potential to take you to another world, but what if that world is just not one that you want to be part of right now? When you’ve got the wobbles, there is nothing better than curling up with a comforting book. However, I find it hard to find something to read that will hit the spot and not irritate me with a silly waffley story line. Reading is deeply personal, but these four books that have made me feel less scrambled blancmange and more champagne jelly. None of these books are particularly challenging, wise or profound but you may find them soothing and gentle, the perfect tonic.
David Nicholls crafts beautiful love stories. His books are very real and tragic but there is a constant sense of goodness in all of his novels which is warm and comforting. ‘One Day’ is my favourite. It follows the relationship of Emma and Dexter, each chapter taking place on the 15th July (St Swithians Day) for twenty years. We witness the characters enjoying the hedonistic fun of student life and then facing the responsibilities and disillusionment that inevitably occur later on in adulthood. This book will probably make you cry, but it’s a bittersweet tale that will ultimately leave your cockles warmed.
The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy
This is a fabulous riot of a book. The Dud Avocado tells the tale of a young American girl taking a year out in 1950’s Paris. She dies her hair pink, struts around in inappropriate outfits, loses everything and gets involved with totally the ‘wrong sort’. Written with sparkle by Elaine Dundy, you can’t help but fall in love with her gorgeous protagonist.
I find David Sedaris’ dark humour hilarious, however he is absolutely not everyone’s cup of tea. This particular book gives us twenty one personal essays centered around his eccentric family. He covers a wide range of subject matter from the banal (his Fit Bit obsession) to more serious issues such as addiction, suicide and death. ‘Calypso’ is perhaps the most serious of Sedaris’ books to date however it isn’t gloomy or depressing. His wry ‘warts and all’ account of family life is honest and warm, leaving the reader with a sense that life and relationships aren’t perfect and that‘s ok.
Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding
I love dipping into Bridget Jones’ Diary every now and then for a little pick me up. There is something so familiar about our Bridge, that gobbling up a chapter feels like such a nice treat. Not only do I love the 90’s nostalgia (smoking, answer machines, office computer messaging etc) but the characters are fantastic and the one- liners are solid gold. (“Is Skirt Off Sick?”) When this book came out I was a care free student and so it reminds me of my Pinot Grigio Days. If this is your era too, I can highly recommend an afternoon on the sofa with Bridget Jones.
Which books do you turn to when you’ve got the wobbles ?
Sophie xxx
