You've heard of comfort foods - the things we eat when we're feeling alone or vulnerable that may not be good for us, but they sure make us feel better. Most of us have a comfortable old robe or pajamas that looks simply awful but give us comfort when we're sick or tired or sad. But what about comfort books? A good book can fill a place in our hearts when we need a boost. A really good book can do it over and over again when we need it most. Finding that book is a beautiful...

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When I get together with other literary types, which I manage less frequently than I would like these days, we speak in glowing terms of our current favorite books. We try to outdo each other with the scholarly works on our bedside tables and the caliber of our reading list. (James M. McPherson’s biography of Abraham Lincoln’s war years, Tried By War, is terrific, by the way.) When the discussion rolls around to all-time favorite, I normally tout J.R.R. Tolkein’s incredible Lord of the Rings as mine. Now, just between us, I have a confession to make. ...

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