Thought for the day

 

    "In times of storm and tempest, of indecision and desolation, a book already known and loved makes better reading than something new and untried. The meeting with remembered and well-loved passages is like the continual greeting of old friends; nothing is so warming and companionable."

    Elizabeth Goudge, The Bird in the Tree.

Comments

[Mary]

Must say I totally agree with that statement. True for me, at least.

[Janet]

I think this is true for many people. It's a long time since I read and re-read any of Elizabeth Goudge's books, but I remember the characters and their stories quite well.(Although I don't recall particular quotes) They are the sort of books which stay with you for a long time..

[Jane from Dorset]

I have had a hankering to reread Elizabeth Goodge but am finding her books hard to track down these days. As a teenager I borrowed them all from the library.

[Toffeeapple]

That is a truism!

[Anji Brown]

So very true.

[Nan]

Such wonderful and true words.

[alix]

This hit me hard because it used to be my solution for getting over difficult times, but it's not working anymore. I've been battling severe depression and anxiety for the past 9 months. I tried to get over it by rereading old favorites (Austen and Angela Thirkell). Unfortunately it didn't help at all and even worse, as ridiculous as it sounds, just the words "Jane Austen" or "Angela Thirkell" act like triggers that send me back to that dark place. I've given away all my books by or about Jane Austen and Thirkell. It's devastating for me because reading was my greatest joy. I gave up books because I don't want to "poison" other authors by associating them forever with my current situation. I am in therapy and I take anti-anxiety medication, but since my depression is situational and the situation is unchanged, I'm not getting better. I hope one day I'll be able to read again. Sorry for this depressing rant..

[Cornflower]

Alix, no need to apologise.
I am so sorry that life is hard for you just now and literature isn't helping. I wish I could offer some suggestions, but in their absence you have my sympathy and my hope that healing will come and you will once again take pleasure in books.
Most sincerely, all good wishes to you.

[alix]

Thank you very much for your kind words and wishes!