It has been a hectic, stressful day. Things are not going your way and you do feel a little bit sorry for yourself. Finally you have time to collapse on the sofa. Your brain is threatening to do a ‘stack overflow’ and your concentration levels are close to zero. What do you do?

This is where comfort reading comes in. Comfort reading makes you feel good and it helps you to relax and forget about the world around you. Ideally it makes you smile.

Importantly, it is an easy, uncomplicated read which does not provide much challenge for the brain cells and can be managed even with a tired head and failing concentration.

Mystery/crime fiction is my to-go-to comfort reading, but other genres might do as well. Below are some of the books I would grab, when trying to destress with a large mug of coffee in front of my imaginary fireplace.

1. The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie

Early in her career, in the 1920’s, Agatha Christie wrote some light-hearted novels, which differ in style from the Poirot and Miss Marple mysteries she later became famous for.

The Seven Dials Mystery from 1929 is one such example. Like several other Christie novels it features a feisty, adventurous heroine (in this case Lady Eileen Brent, also known as Bundle) who does not adhere to the social norms for women such as they were. 

It is the witty dialogue, the great characters and the sheer fun of it all rather than the quality of the mystery, which makes this one worth a read. You get the sense that Agatha Christie enjoyed writing it and amused herself with satirising certain archetypes including self-made millionaire Sir Oswald Coote with the strong need to show off his money, Lady Coote his mousy wife who secretly longs for the time before her husband made it, George Lomax the dry politician, MacDonald the intimidating, snooty head gardener and Socks the superficial young lady who is fond of using the word ‘subtle’. I also imagine Agatha Christie enjoyed putting her own slightly ironic spin on the romance genre (the ‘love scene’ between Bundle and Bill). 

In the impressive Agatha Christie catalogue, this novel is perhaps a bit of a light-weight. In the context of comfort reading it is just perfect.

2. A Quiet Life in the Country by T. E. Kinsey

‘And in the centre of the clearing, my dear Florence,’ she was saying, without apparently having broken her conversational stride, ‘we have . . . I say!’ ‘A dead body, my lady?’ I said. ‘I was going to say, “a magnificent English oak”,’ she said, somewhat distractedly, ‘but the body is definitely the more arresting sight’.

A Quiet Life in the Country is set in the English village Littleton Cotterell in 1908. Lady Hardcastle and her lady’s maid Flo are unusual women with an intriguing past, which is gradually revealed through the series.

Like The Seven Dials Mystery this should be read for the witty dialogue and the superbly drawn characters. The storyline is at times rather silly. But I must admit I quite enjoyed this cosy crime series, which now consists of five novels and a short story. It works well on audio, narrated by the excellent Elizabeth Knowelden.

3. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

You got to love Ove. A grumpy old geezer who likes routine and rules, but does not seem to care much for other people. He points his finger at people he does not like, approaches modern technology with deep-rooted scepticism and sticks stubbornly to the old ways of doing things.

Most of us know an Ove. Some of us believe we might turn into an Ove, when we get older. Fredrik Backman has certainly created a protagonist, which is utterly relatable. You can’t help but laugh at Ove’s observations as well as his interaction with the outside world.

Through flashbacks we learn about Ove’s past and the experiences which have contributed to making him the man he is today. This includes the meeting with his wife Sonja.

People said Ove saw the world in black and white. But she was colour. All the colour he had.

At its core A Man Called Ove is a love story. A beautiful one at that. Sonja was Ove’s everything and her death leaves Ove without much reason to go on living.

It is also sad story about old age and loneliness. And it is an uplifting story where we follow Ove despite of himself slowly letting other people – and a cat – behind his defences, although on the surface he is as grumpy as ever.  

A Man Called Ove is a charming read. It could easily have toppled over and become too sugary – or too depressing. As it is, it manages to find the perfect (bitter)sweet spot. You got to love Ove. 

4. Natural Causes by James Oswald

James Oswald’s Inspector McLean series, which is set in Edinburg, is somewhat darker than my typical comfort read. In my head it still qualifies as cosy crime. As I wrote in my recent review of Cold as the Grave, the latest book in the series, I believe it is due to the characters being so immensely likeable. Reading an Inspector McLean novel feels like meeting old friends.

The series mostly reads like traditional crime fiction, but it does contain an element of the supernatural, which I know is not to everyone’s taste. To me it is the perfect comfort read, made even better by Ian Hanmore’s soothing narration. 

5. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J. K. Rowling

I used to be one of those adults who could not bring myself to engage in children’s or YA literature, let alone admit in public that I read it. But I have given in. Harry Potter is excellent entertainment.

A highly creative universe. A diverse set of characters many of which are unusually nuanced and complex given the target audience. A superb storyline with such an intricate continuity that J.K. Rowling must have had the outline for all seven books in her head when starting out. Exquisite sense of humour. Stephen Fry narrating. Enough said.

6. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Although I much prefer murders to romance, I am not averse to the occasional Jane Austen novel. Pride and Prejudice from 1813 is another book on this list featuring a remarkable heroine. With her strong principles, relative outspokenness, modern views on life and marriage and eagerness to improve her mind, Miss Elisabeth Bennet was a feminist ahead of her time. I like to see myself as a modern Elisabeth Bennet. Obviously without the beauty. Or the wit. Or the poise. But still…

The world has changed a lot since 1813 when we first met the charming Mr. Wickham and the proud, unapproachable Mr. Darcy, neither of whom are quite what they appear to be. But Jane Austen’s classic romance, her well-loved characters and her sharp observations have stood the test of time exceedingly well. Presumably the underlying concepts, such as the many complications before ‘living happily ever after’, the idea of the ideal man and woman, and the theme of true love being based on fundamental rather than superficial values are truly timeless.

7. Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

The fantasy cult classic Good Omens is a parody of the 1976 movie The Omen, but I doubt it will make much difference, whether you have watched it or not.

There is a lot going on, but the core of the matter is that the Apocalypse is coming. Unfortunately Antichrist, who is meant to play a leading role, has been misplaced. Furthermore, the angel Aziraphale and the demon Crowley, who have been living amongst humans since the beginning of time, have become rather fond of this world and are not at all supportive of the Apocalypse.

The angel and the deamon are great personalities with an often hilarious dialogue. Aziraphale has the appearance of an English, conservative and rather camp gentleman, whereas Crowley drives fast cars and – involuntarily – listen to Queen’s Greatest albums.

Aziraphale collected books. If he were totally honest with himself he would have to have admitted that his bookshop was simply somewhere to store them… In order to maintain his cover as a typical second-hand book seller, he used every means short of actual physical violence to prevent customers from making a purchase. Unpleasant damp smells, glowering looks, erratic opening hours – he was incredibly good at it.

Good Omens pushes the limits for comfort reading. The references, the in-jokes and the sharp social commentary fall fast and furious and a wide set of characters are appearing in parallel threads, which all come together in the end. If you don’t exhibit some level of concentration whilst reading, you might miss out of some of the fun and risk – quite literally – to lose the plot.

Trigger warning: Good Omens is obviously not politically correct and does not hold back making fun of, well, pretty much everything, including religion.

These were examples of my preferred comfort reading, what would you opt for?