Comfort Reads and Comfort Foods: The Big Tasty Read Staff Picks
At The Reading Agency, we know that food and books both have the power to comfort, connect, and nourish us. So, as part of the Big Tasty Read, we asked some of our staff to share their favourite comfort reads and the foods they love most. From classic novels to childhood dishes, these pairings show how stories and flavours can bring warmth in every season.
Alex
Senior Marketing & Communications Manager
Favourite comfort read: Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
“A psychological thriller is probably not a typical ‘comfort’ read but I can be completely immersed in the shadowiness of the story and the description of the cliffs and crashing seas remind me of home.”
Favourite comfort food: marmite on toast
“I don’t have a story for this but marmite on toast is a cure for any ill!”
Amy
Programme Manager, Reading and Health
Favourite comfort read: Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
“My favourite comfort read is probably Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. I’m not usually into coming-of-age stories, but there’s something about Anne’s imagination and optimism that just resonates with my inner child!”
Favourite comfort food: chocolate gâteau
“My favourite dessert growing up was always chocolate gâteau, and then when I moved away to go to university, every time I felt run down or homesick, I would always get myself a chocolate gâteau. Now as an adult, whenever I’m feeling unwell, I always end up buying myself a chocolate gâteau and will eat the full thing to myself which always seems to help me get better sooner, or at least that’s what I like to tell myself!”
Becky
Research and Evaluation Manager
Favourite comfort read: Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien
“I specifically listen to the audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis to help me fall asleep. I’m going to buy the illustrated version of the Lord of the Rings trilogy soon because the pictures in them are beautiful and very soothing to look at.”
Favourite comfort food: Earl Grey tea with krówki
“My friend’s mum made Earl Grey tea for me on a camping trip when I was in primary school – she put plenty of sugar in it, and I’ve loved the sweet perfumy taste ever since (Parma Violets are delicious and I will die on this hill). Krówki are a type of Polish fudge with a liquid centre; I tried them when visiting my son’s grandparents in Kalisz and I can’t get enough of them. Thank goodness they sell them in England!”
Emma
Programme Manager, Community and Schools Engagement
Favourite comfort read: Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
“Life After Life is a book I return to again and again, for despite its harrowing depictions of war and violence, it’s such a comforting idea that we could travel back and try to live life again. We might not literally be able to reset, like Ursula, but we can learn from the past, trust our instincts and ultimately make the world a better place.”
Favourite comfort food: tuna pasta bake
“Creamy tuna pasta bake, with peas and sweetcorn, topped with crushed crisps and cheddar cheese- the taste of my 80s/90s childhood!”
Hannah
Programme Officer, Reading and Health
Favourite comfort read: I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
Favourite comfort food: tinned fruit cocktail
“A bit of a retro one! My gran used to give this to me and my sister whenever we went to her house after school as a treat. We both liked the cherries best and she always made sure we got exactly the same amount each (there were never many in the tin, so she’d often have to cut them in half to avoid any arguments!)”
