I am “generation Harry Potter” (and please, I really do not wish to discuss JK Rowling right now). What I mean is that I was just the right age when the books where first published and I grew up with them being a few years younger than the protagonists.

Now I did not have the most ideal childhood. My home situation was complicated and I was home alone a lot. I also was a sickly child and had to stay home from school often. I did not get much but I wish for a new book every now and then and when I was home alone because of a tonsilitis my mom bought me Harry Potter. I was 9.

Since then HP somehow became my comfort zone, my safe space. Whenever I felt like shit I would hole up in my room and read through the HP books. As a teen I never told anyone since I already understood it was weird to read a book again and again to flee from reality. But I figured it will phase out once I am an adult and “figured stuff out”.

Well, it didn’t. You can guess how old I am given the above information and through all my 20’s and then 30’s til now I kept turning to the HP books whenever something bad happened. Especially something grief and death related.

Yesterday my grandmother died completely unexpectedly (I mean, she was old but she was relatively well until now and she was out for a coffe and cake and then dinner the day before yesterday with my parents even. Sudden fatal heart attack not even 24 hours later. I missed the chance to see her again after months of not visiting. We had planned a day together on Dec 1st. I am incredibly sad and full of guilt).

I took off of work today and now I am at home, sudden crying outbursts all the time and it’s like my whole body and mind scream for my personal method of “relief”: Lay in bed with a hot cup of tea and HP and the sorcerers stone and just nope out of real life. I know this is not healthy and a little weird but it helps me so much.

I just wanted to know if others know this feeling as well… and what your comfort book and story is.

  • CanthinMinna@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    It is perfectly healthy to grieve in bed, with a book. When my dad suddenly passed away, I reread all the Moomin books. In Finland we call this “surutyö”, literally “grief work” - you do what you can to cope mentally and emotionally with the loss and everything involved with it. It is a part of the healing process.

    • Ruadhan2300@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I often feel that the english language really lacks for words to describe things we do for the sake of feeling or matters of the heart.

      Surutyö is a great word.

    • mcfearless33@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I love the Moomin books so much and have passed this on to every child in my life as quickly as possible in hopes that they will always have that safe space as well ❤️

      • Goodmmluck@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        Comet in Moominland was the first book I felt that weird feeling for. Absolutely. I still have my copy from the 90s, though the cover is ripped off.

      • Goodmmluck@alien.topBEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        Comet in Moominland was the first book I felt that weird feeling for. Absolutely. I still have my copy from the 90s, though the cover is ripped off.

    • ladyrockess@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Oh the Moomin books are such a childhood treasure! I need to see if I can find some cheap copies online, obviously Mom isn’t giving hers up lol

    • goog1e@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      My sad book is Lirael. It is excellent sad vibes right from page 1:

      “It’s my birthday,” Lirael whispered to her plate, her voice more full of tears than her eyes. “I must not cry on my birthday.”

    • goog1e@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      My sad book is Lirael. It is excellent sad vibes right from page 1:

      “It’s my birthday,” Lirael whispered to her plate, her voice more full of tears than her eyes. “I must not cry on my birthday.”

    • Vasevide@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I just got out of a very long relationship this year and discovered Moomin at the same time. I was grieving very much and Moomin has been so helpful for me. It’s just wonderful

    • HearTheBluesACalling@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I saw a beautiful YouTube doc on Tove Jansson last night. Was lucky enough to be in Helsinki the year of her centenary, so I saw the exhibit on her at the Ateneum. Her work is a treasure.