A friend asked me ‘What was the most interesting book you have read in the past year?’

The past year was a big one in regards to books. I had been living in London, engaging in European travels, recording various notes to myself eg, ‘Iceland in early spring- take more than one jumper, what were you thinking?’, and racing through two books a week. How much of my budget went into the buying of books and the mailing of books home to Sydney does not bare thinking about. I break into a sweat trying to figure out a ballpark figure.

However, one book stuck in my mind for months after reading it, and I still find myself thinking about it. Escape by Carolyn Jessop is a true story about life in the polygamous sect of the Fundamentalist Church of the Latter Day Saints (FLDS), and her lucky escape.

I have always been interested in stories behind such sects and cults. I suppose it is the psychology and effects of brainwashing vulnerable people that fascinates me (from a distance, mind you). I was aware that the FLDS existed but I didn’t know many details beside the fact that they were ‘one of those weird polygamous communities somewhere in America’. I didn’t think they were as extreme as I found out.

So imagine this: You are raised in a community where men are viewed as Gods, that the duty of a woman is to serve her husband (and thus serve God), that to obtain the highest level in heaven a man must have as many wives as possible who give him as many children as possible- and in the background a constant fear of the evil, outside world. Members of this community strive towards this ideal of a large family working towards God and salvation but the reality is strikingly different. This is a community filled with fear, abuse, underage marriage, lack of education and daily survival in conditions of extreme poverty.

Carolyn Jessop found herself at 18, married to one of the most powerful men in the cult and her story is an amazing and honest account of her life in this hidden community. It is hard to believe that this can happen in modern day America. I can’t do the impact of this book justice in a simple review. If you need a book that gets you thinking, that lets you look into a different world, let it be this one.

Claiming flashbacks to school exams, I’ve delayed reading The Scarlet Letter this week and spent most of my spare time cooking. Well, they don’t call me the Queen of Procrastination for nothing.

(Actually they don’t call me that at all- the most I’ve been able to conjure up for myself has been a tie between ‘Hey You’ and ‘Do You Know The Time?’)

Anyway, I like cooking. Let’s talk about cookbooks.

Being winter I’ve spent most of my time cooking homely, comforting meals like stews, soups and buttery cakes. The stews and soups have been immensely delicious and warming. The buttery cakes I blame on my recent blood test results that showed my cholesterol was brilliant and obviously giving me a license leap head first into my favourite food group: Baked Goods.

I’ve found the following cookbooks to be reliable in the above departments:

Jamie’s Dinners, Jamie Oliver- Great for family cooking, even better for the Pesto recipe which goes with everything. I have used it for flavour in soups, I’ve put it on roasted veg, I’ve had it on plain toast. I cannot fault this one.

The Return of the Naked Chef, Jamie Oliver- I love Jamie, I’m happy to admit it. I’ve even converted staunch non-foodies into fans with his recipes. The tried and tested in this one is his Chocolate Twister Bread. It’s even better than it sounds, especially straight from the oven.  Especially with marshmallows. No, no, don’t lose me here. Give it a chance.

Everyday, Bill Granger- When you want simple comfort food without the heaviness, Bill always has the answer. His delicious Tomato and Lentil Soup is easy, delish and makes enough that you can freeze the rest for later in the week. Ahh, cooking in batches. Eating the same meal for a month. Simple pleasures.

Apples For Jam, Tessa Kiros- I was really surprised by the recipe for Honey Cake in this book. I only picked it up for a casual read- the book is a feast in itself. When I saw this recipe I couldn’t not make it. It’s a traditional honey cake, with cinnamon and rosemary. Try it, you’ll be surprised.

How To Be a Domestic Goddess, Nigella Lawson- I’m going to recommend the entire book. Even recipes I haven’t tried. This is the best book for baking, it hasn’t failed me yet and it will turn you into a domestic goddess. Even if you’re of the male persuasion.

And now, back to the kitchen.

I have been very busy at work. You know, the kind of busy that wears you down, prevents you from sleeping, encourages much consumption of unhealthy food and halts any exercise regime you once adhered to.

During times like this I don’t, generally, stop reading. My reading menu, does, however, change dramatically. A friend of mine once said to me that she could tell what frame of mind I was in from the book I carried in my handbag on any given day. This is true. During sleep-deprived overly stressed periods of work insanity or pre-exam anxiety, my reading menu of choice is heavy on comfort.

Comfort books – books you are already familiar with, which you already know you love, by authors whose writing you already know lulls you into a warm state of contentment.

So a week and a half ago, when I was close to tearing my hair out from stress, I bought This Charming Man by Marian Keyes.

It was perfect. It did the job. And, even though I have ostensibly had no time to think about anything other than work, I have fit in enough reading time – on trains, in cabs, during brief coffee breaks, before falling asleep late at night – to have finished the book, which is not insignificant.

I will review it properly next week, when I am able to give it my full attention. For now, though, a gift from me to you: a list of my top five comfort reads of all time (in no particular order).

1. Pride and Prejudice – Jane Austen

I know it’s predictable. I know some people won’t agree with me that Austen is comfort reading. But I defy you, once you are truly familiar with the story, to pick up the book during a stressful period in your life, turn to the scene in Mr Collins’s parsonage during Elizabeth’s visit to Lady Catherine’s Rosings estate during which Mr Darcy proposes for the first time, and not become truly absorbed. It is heady, romantic reading at its mannered best.

2. Fiona Walker

Author of Between Males, Well Groomed, French Relations among many others, you can always count on Fiona Walker to provide humour, sex, romance in a well-written package. I love good chick lit as much as the next chick, but I can’t bear badly written chick lit – and Fiona Walker is always on target, both in her writing and her subjects.

3. Georgette Heyer

“Historical Romance” – that is the official genre of Georgette Heyer. Every novel – and there are many to choose from – is filled with debutantes, the vivid colours and fashions of ‘the Season’, foppish men who spend more time on their appearance than the women do, and the requisite damsels in distress (‘distress’ in these cases generally equating to the threat of living life without a society husband). Utterly diverting.

4. Barbara Trapido

Brother of the More Famous Jack. Temples of Delight. Noah’s Ark.

I can’t bear to write more about Trapido without the space to do her justice, but let me just say this: if you love books and you love language, you will adore her writing. Temples of Delight is my favourite. Any scene involving Giovanni, the man of letters, will transport me from the realms of earthly stress in a matter of seconds.

5. Enid Blyton – especially The Magic Faraway Tree books

I am a woman in her thirties, yes. But there is something about The Magic Faraway Tree – the pure fantasy of it, the true escapism (quite literally!) that is incredibly satisfying. The Wishing Chair stories and the Twins at St. Clare’s books also carry me away to a different place.

When I am feeling ill or fragile and just want to curl up inside with a cup of hot cocoa, Enid Blyton is just the right thing.

In writing this list, so many other comfort books come to mind. But I promised you five and there they are. Feel free to write in and share your own preferred comfort books with me – it is a list I am always very pleased to add to!