December is one of the most stressful times of the year. And, this particular month is more chaotic, maddening, and depressingly stressful than most years in recent memory. But, in celebration of Jane Austen's birthday, Laurie Viera Rigler wrote: "It is a truth little-known that Jane Austen novels and works inspired by the great author are an effective cure for holiday stress."
Do you allow books to offer solace at stressful times in your life? Books always offer an escape--a brief moment of reprieve to forget the worries or troubles of the day. But, books are also old, familiar friends. Cradled in your arms, a book can take you back to bygone days, be the voice of reason, and offer sage wisdom or life-changing experience.
So, what do books mean to you in stressful times? Does reading help you deal with stress?
Whatever the reason for your reading, take a look at Rigler's novel: Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict (website).
Cover Art © Penguin - Dutton.
Comments
Yes, reading helps take the edge off stress or anger. It takes you away from the source and gives you time to cool down. By the time you’ve read for awhile and then go back to whatever is stressing you, you should be calmer. Since you can’t always drop what you’re doing and go read for awhile, you should read beforehand – like Thanksgiving Eve or Christmas Eve.
Thank you for the shout-out, Esther, and most of all for keeping the classic literature flame alive in your wonderful blog. For me Jane Austen’s novels are definitely a trusted friend, a wise counselor who will never let me down, always makes me smile, and always leaves me feeling that everything will be all right. And that’s something we all need to hear in these crazy holiday times!
I recently came across your site and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Susan