Off-topic request

[isaytoodlepip.livejournal.com]

This is really an off-topic request. I've always thought that the Housefic community, be it H/W or any other ship, is remarkably tasteful and discerning for the most part. This is an off-topic request in that I'm looking for recommendations of any genre/medium, be it H/W fic, gen fic, or just a really appropriate novel that you've read in your life that you think will speak to this situation.

My father died. Two weeks ago. I've been trying to distract myself from the fact that my best friend and home is gone, but I can't seem to latch on to anything. I don't know what sort of book or fic I'm looking to read. Probably not something featuring a main character or father dying, or even recovering from cancer, but beyond that...I don't even know if I want something dramatic or funny or pornographic or what. So, I know this is a remarkably personal request, but if anyone has ever been in that sort of mindset where you know you'd feel completely empty if not for the backbreaking burden of grief and has read something that is marginally cathartic or distracting or mind-blowing or...something, please let me know.

Comments

[blackmare.livejournal.com]

Oh. Wow. I actually started writing fanfiction in the wake of the sudden death of my dad, so, yeah. I get it.

I think you've read most of my own favorite stories already; I recognize your name well from comments in various places, though we've never gotten to know one another. In RL I read to escape, and I love fantasy and also Carl Hiaasen, whose Double Whammy and Sick Puppy are crime/mystery/satire/comedy and twisted and wonderful.

I also highly recommend the Jeeves and Wooster stories by P.G. Wodehouse. His language takes a little time to fall into -- the rhythm and expressions are so different than anything else you'll ever see -- but once you get the hang of his voice, he's delightful, hilarious, always surprising. And then you can watch the Jeeves and Wooster BBC series with Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry, and if that's not a balm for the soul, I don't know what is.

[nemesishamartia.livejournal.com]

I second Jeeves and Wooster.

I also highly, HIGHLY recommend G. K. Chesterton's The Man Who Was Thursday.

[isaytoodlepip.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I've actually read The Man Who Was Thursday and I agree, it's a great story. How did it open, again? "Blessed are they who did not see but, being blind, believed." Something like that. I wish I had my copy here with me.

[isaytoodlepip.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have the looming Big Bang challenge and I don't know when my head will be in the right place to get the thing done. Or started. We'll see. Maybe working on a story featuring House's daddy issues might be cheap therapy.

You know, I've never read anything by Carl Hiaasen, which is odd considering I was born and raised in South Florida. And I adore the Jeeves and Wooster books. I've read them all, but who better than Bertie to brighten your day? Thanks so much for commenting.