Play Book Tag discussion

Not sure how others are doing (hope well) but have to say I'm struggling to read these days. Been thinking about it and thought I would share my thoughts. As I think thru my life, books have always been a refuge for me. A place to retreat and relax, gather my thoughts and think and escape. So depending on where you are with everything going around, I thought I would share those books that have meant the most to me over my life when all I wanted to do was escape, feel good, realize others had it worse or think about life. They are as follows:

Escape: Cyclops, Eye of the Needle, Blood Work and e: a novel by Matthew Beaumont.

Feel Good: Snow in August, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand and Lonesome Dove.

Realize Others Had It Worse: The Marines of Autumn, In Harm's Way: The Sinking of the USS Indianapolis and the Extraordinary Story of Its Survivors and Crossroads of Freedom: Antietam: The Battle that Changed the Course of the Civil War

Think About Life: For Whom the Bell Tolls, Plainsong and The Imperfectionists.

What are your favorites?

Be well and happy reading!

Feel Good: Little House on the Prairie Series (but The Long Winter fits under "Realize Others Had it Worse" as well) and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe Series

Karin wrote: "Feel Good: Little House on the Prairie Series (but The Long Winter fits under "Realize Others Had it Worse" as well) and the Hitchhikers Guide to the Universe Series"

Little House on the Prairie (the entire series) is what got me hooked on reading waaaay back in grade school. I re-read the series a few years ago and definitely comfort reading!

I'm having trouble reading too. Who would have thought a pandemic would make me more busy than usual?

Up until last weekend, I had real trouble reading. Even the one book I could always read: Frederica by Georgette Heyer. That is my number one comfort read. Persuasion by Jane Austen is another,

But last weekend, encouraged by my fellow Jade Dragons, I read His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik - totally outside my usual wheelhouse ... or so I thought. I was wrong! Teremaire will forever be an escape and joy.

Other escape reads - and some double as comfort ones -
Harry Potter
George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire
LOTR.
Various historical romances by Stephanie Laurens
Rest You Merry and The Family Vault by Charlotte MacLeod
Old favorites by Mary Stewart and Helen MacInnes

But mostly, I just turn to the latest contemporary or historical romance by any of a number of favorite authors.

I do not search out books on more serious topics mostly because my work as a lawyer can include plenty of those and that is often what I am escaping or needing comfort from.

@ Charlie-wonderful idea to share books that may help us all to escape if only for a short time. We are all having difficulty concentrating on reading (and other things I am sure).

Here are some ideas, some of my favorite reads

Escape: anything by Vince Flynn, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan series, anything by Robin Hobb, Ninth House

For Fun: The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich a book I just finished Dog on It,
His Majesty's Dragon

Other Who Have It Worse: Madame Fourcade's Secret War: The Daring Young Woman Who Led France's Largest Spy Network Against Hitler Gods and Generals, We Were the Lucky Ones

Think about Life: The Map of Salt and Stars

Amy wrote: "I'm having trouble reading too. Who would have thought a pandemic would make me more busy than usual?"

I would have thought that it would given your profession :)!

We just got bad news. My husband lost his job (after 30 years with the company). They don't have enough work to keep everyone busy, especially with the travel restrictions.

Before the merger, when someone left there was always a lunch or some way to say goodbye. They've already cut email access, and his phone will be next. He's had a company cell phone for so many years, people won't know how to contact him now. He's scrambling to contact people asap before his cell service is cut. It would be nice if he could keep the same number.

NancyJ wrote: "We just got bad news. My husband just lost his job (of 30 years). They don't have enough work to keep everyone busy, especially with the travel restrictions."

I'm so sorry to hear that.

I have never been a re-reader so there aren't books I go back to, but my go-to comfort genre is horror.

I read Paperbacks From Hell: The Twisted History of '70s and '80s Horror Fiction this weekend which is a non-fiction encyclopedia chronicling horror paperbacks from the 70~80s. It was a blast. First time I couldn't put something down in a while and now I am reading When Darkness Loves Us which is similarly great escapist horror.

NancyJ wrote: "We just got bad news. My husband just lost his job (of 30 years). They don't have enough work to keep everyone busy, especially with the travel restrictions."

Nancy - So sorry to hear this!

NancyJ wrote: "We just got bad news. My husband lost his job (after 30 years with the company). They don't have enough work to keep everyone busy, especially with the travel restrictions.

Before the merger, whe..."

Nancy, I am so sorry to hear that. :(

@Nancy, so sorry that to hear about your husband's job and the poor way that it is being handled :(

I’m so sorry, Nancy. So many people loosing their jobs now, it’s just awful. I just agreed to a 10 % salary cut for the next 4 months in solidarity to all of the people being temporarily laid off in my company (of which there are many). That is a small price to pay compared to not having a job, so I consider myself lucky to still get a good paycheck (as long as it lasts).

NancyJ wrote: "We just got bad news. My husband lost his job (after 30 years with the company). They don't have enough work to keep everyone busy, especially with the travel restrictions.

Before the merger, whe..."

Ugh, sorry to hear that, Nancy. I just glossed right over your post, a bad habit when I am trying to catch up on a thread.

Hearing some rumors my job will stop paying us next week. Until now I have been working from home, but of course if there is no pay I won't be working at all.

NancyJ wrote: "We just got bad news. My husband lost his job (after 30 years with the company). They don't have enough work to keep everyone busy, especially with the travel restrictions.

Before the merger, whe..."

How dreadful! They could at least have provided a transition time! So sorry for what both of you are going through with this NancyJ.

That is such a crud deal Nancy! I am so sorry. My daughter just was told all the reporters are going to have to take 1 week off, unpaid, for the next 3 months. She is fortunate to still live at home and not have a lot of expenses.

Nancy, Like everyone here, I am so sorry that your husband has lost his job. 30 years on a job is something to be proud of. I hope that he's on Medicare or can get COBRA benefits ( another worry aside from the loss of salary). Stay well.

Nancy - I am heartbroken for you both. So sorry. Its such a tough time for everyone out there.

Karin - its true. I have learned to zoom and so many folks really need to connect right now. I have been very busy on the work front, and its been exhausting. Plus, there is managing the children's work, and now preparing for Passover. At least however, I did finish Harry Potter Two!

NancyJ wrote: "It would be nice if he could keep the same number.."

You should be able to arrange this! When my dad retired (rather abruptly because he was eligible and just had it) he worked with his office and the cell company to transfer his number to a personal account.

Also, I am so sorry to hear this, especially as I bet he was close to retirement. Did he happen to ask if they would work out an early retirement deal? I know that is not always an option, and I guess really only matters if you have a pension.

Either way, unsolicited advice is not what you need....I am sorry. That totally sucks. I fucking hate coronavirus.

Meli wrote: "I have never been a re-reader so there aren't books I go back to, but my go-to comfort genre is horror. "

Hahaha! This statement cracks me up.

NancyJ wrote: "We just got bad news. My husband lost his job (after 30 years with the company). They don't have enough work to keep everyone busy, especially with the travel restrictions. ..."

Oh, Nancy. I'm so sorry to hear this. Sending you virtual hugs, and prayers that things work out for you both.

NancyJ wrote: "We just got bad news. My husband lost his job (after 30 years with the company). They don't have enough work to keep everyone busy, especially with the travel restrictions. ..."

Oh no... I'm so sorry.

NancyJ wrote: "We just got bad news. My husband lost his job (after 30 years with the company). They don't have enough work to keep everyone busy, especially with the travel restrictions.

Before the merger, whe..."

Like all your PBT friends, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband losing his job. Both my adult daughter and stepson are in the same position. We can help out for a few months by helping them pay their mortgages but not forever. It's depressing and the only thing that makes our days bearable is......you guessed it, Oliver. We live in an over 55 community so there are lots of at-risk people here, many of them alone now. I feel sorry for those who are spending so much time by themselves. It's like that all over I'm sure, and we can just hope that one day we can all look back and joke about the days no one could find ramen noodles and toilet paper in the stores.

Amy wrote: "Nancy - I am heartbroken for you both. So sorry. Its such a tough time for everyone out there.

Karin - its true. I have learned to zoom and so many folks really need to connect right now. I have b..."

Yes--Zoom has made it easier for my kids with their college classes so they still feel connected, and that's how I'm taking my voice lessons for the rest of the semester. It's been great for music teachers and professors, et al.

Nicole R wrote: "I fucking hate coronavirus."

Same! I normally eschew swearing in writing, but sometimes it fits, and that line is one of those places.