How to weather the storm - a book lovers' guide!

 

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Storm Eunice is hitting the UK today (Fri 18 February), with gusts of 90mph being predicted in places, and many are being told to stay at home, to make sure all their doors and windows are firmly shut up, and only to travel if they really need to do so. 

So, with that in mind, make sure you're safe and secure, and think about how you might weather the storm; literally and figuratively. In today's post, let's take a little look at how the book lover can be kind to themselves when there's a storm battering the windows . . .

1. Comfy clothing

There's not much point in settling down with a good book if you're uncomfortable - discomfort is a distraction that will keep pulling you out of the story. So, take out your most comfy clothing. Who cares if it's full of holes? You're stuck at home. You do you, baby!

With the risk of power being lost to some during intense storms, having comfortable and warm clothing, at least at arms length, might be a necessity for those who lose any heating.

Above all, stay safe.

2. Comfort reading?

To weather a storm is to see yourself through a bad time without taking too much harm or damage. So, be good yourself. Maybe that book full of symbolism, complex themes, and a dark subject matter can wait. Maybe today's a good day to return to an old favourite. Or something light and breezy.

Personally, I like a bit of Agatha Christie. But maybe your comfort reads look completely different. Maybe you're comfort reads are those long and complex novels!

You weirdo . . .

3. Consider the scene . . .

Some of us are lucky enough to have our own little space, a little library or study, where we can take ourselves to with our current read.

Oh, to have a room of one's own! Somewhere that is your own little reading space, a cosy little corner of the world that's your very own. With your favourite pictures on the walls, and the shelves are arranged just as you like. Something that you've created for yourself.

You lucky sod!

Go somewhere that, when you look up from the page, having just finished a pleasing passage, chapter, or entire book, a wistful smile on your lips, but satisfied, you aren't jarred by harsh reality. Go somewhere where you can land softly.

4. Candles and pleasing aromas

Make your world as much of a warm embrace as you can, and the storm can rage outside all it wants.

If you've got some scented candles, dig them out. Can I recommend orange, spice, and chestnut scents? I can't help but associate those particular aromas with wintery but cosy evenings, those festive days at the end of a year. And that's exactly the aura I want when clouds are rolling overhead.

If you find yourself in the dark, and you reach for the candles for their more practical purpose, do be careful.

5. Blankets, blankets and, just in case, more blankets!

Well, this one is just self-explanatory really. Wrap yourself in blankets, and forget the world for a while; you're a human cocoon now!

6. Coffee and cakes? Bottle of water? Glass of wine?

Go on, indulge. If nothing else, it's important to stay hydrated when you're between the covers of a book. Who knows when you'll reenter the real world!?

To see yourself through a storm, you've got to be good to yourself. Maybe that means a bottle of water with a squeeze of lemon. Maybe it means a coffee you've brewed carefully and patiently. Or, maybe that means a little something stronger.

Look after yourself.

7. The 3B's

Book. Bath. Bed.

At the end of the day, take your book, run yourself a hot bath - unless you're lucky enough to have someone that will run it for you - and immerse yourself into the story as you immerse yourself into the water.

When you emerge, and take yourself to bed, hopefully, any storms in your sky will be passing, and things will look better in the morning.

Thank you for reading. Just before you go, please consider supporting this blog with a coffee from ko-fi.com - the caffeine keeps me cosy as I turn the pages.

Although Monsta Reader is affiliated with booksellers, I resist ad space as much as possible, wanting the passion and joy books to be the focus for this space - I would prefer to generate conversation, rather than sales!

So, I ask readers, if they can, to consider supporting the blog with a small donation through ko-fi.com - it really does make a difference.

Thank you again for reading and, before everything else, stay safe.