Four of my Favorite Comfort Reads 

By Jay Flood

Rereading books is something I do quite often. Getting to go back into a world I love with characters I love and knowing what will happen is the most comforting thing. Rereading books can remind me why I love them and sometimes can show me a new way to love them. A lot of details and foreshadowing are missed the first time you read a book, but every time you reread it after, you will always find things you missed and come to new conclusions and realizations. Refalling in love with a book and its characters is so comforting and can make me feel so happy. Here are four of my favorite comfort books and series’ to reread.

1. The Selection Series by Kiera Cass

I have reread this series at least once a year since I was in eighth grade, which was 8 years ago. So much happens in all three books, The Selection, The Elite, and The One, that even though I’ve read them so many times, there’s so much I forget and get to re-experience during my reread. The Selection Series is a YA dystopian novel, where 35 girls are selected to compete for the prince. The main character, America Singer, doesn’t want to be selected, but signs up anyway because of a deal she made with her mom and a promise she made to her secret boyfriend. Once at the palace, America becomes friends with some of the girls, treats her maids like they’re her equals, and forms an unexpected friendship with the prince. Honestly, if I read this series for the first time now, I probably would find it mediocre. But the characters are so special to me and the nostalgia is unbeatable.

2. Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Combined, this is ten books total, but it feels so short. The Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is another series with lovable characters and nostalgia. The Heroes of Olympus series takes place after the last Percy Jackson book and introduces new characters and new dangers. All of the books are so fun, the characters are so funny, and the greek mythology influence is so interesting. I love being in their world and feeling like I’m best friends with all of the characters. Percy Jackson and his friends are 12 years old in the first book and are 17 years old in the last Heroes of Olympus book, so it feels like you grew up with them. These two series’ will never not be fun to reread because you feel like you’re reading it for the first time. So much happens in just one book, so remembering everything that happens for all ten books is nearly impossible, but makes rereading a new adventure every time.

3. The Giver by Lois Lowry

I can’t remember the first time I ever read this book, but I know it was in elementary school. Since then, I’ve reread it a couple times. To be honest, I’m not sure what makes this book comforting to reread. It’s not the characters or dystopian setting that makes it comforting to reread. I think what makes it comforting is its ability to make you think about humanity and the things we take for granted. In their society, everyone is content and perfect, but almost robotic. No one is different and everyone is equal. But, in order to do this, they strip away differences and emotions. There is no color, no pain, no love, no anger, and no longing. When the main character’s career path is chosen for him, he begins to receive memories as the ‘receiver.’ He learns about color, pain, love, anger, and longing. He learns about snow, hunger, dancing, summer, and war. Rereading this book is a comforting reminder that it’s better to know loss and love and pain and pleasure than to not know of it at all.

4. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins

For a long time, it was difficult for me to put into words why this series was comforting to reread. There is so much death, suffering, and tragedy and can feel very real. But, I think that’s the point. For decades children have been put into an arena to fight to the death. The capitol thrives while the districts struggle to survive. Suzanne Collins draws many parallels between our society and the one she wrote about, which can make me feel hopeless and hopeful at the same time. There’s just something about knowing Katniss didn’t want to have children in the first book because she knew it wasn’t safe to her and Peeta having children in Mockingjay’s epilogue because they knew they finally were. Both Katniss and Peeta lose so much, but they see change and progress in their lifetime. Although I don’t think that will happen in my lifetime, it’s comforting to know that it did in theirs. It’s comforting to pretend that I am Katniss and my fight for a better future was won. 

It’s common for people to reread their favorite books for the same reason it’s common for people to rewatch their favorite tv shows and movies. Knowing and loving the characters, knowing what will happen next, and feeling like you get something from it are all reasons people tend to reread books. Not every book is rereadable, and what qualifies as rereadable differs from person to person. But it’s true for everyone that if they have a comfort book, it’s highly likely they’ve reread it multiple times.