Introduction Post

[petra]

If you're joining us, please comment with:
1. Your name (your pronouns)
2. Experience with being stuck inside: newbie, been not around the block a few times, Grizzled Veteran of the Indoors Wars
3. Self-soothing: Favorite way to self-soothe at the moment
4. I hope: What you hope this community can do for you
5. I can offer: What you are bringing to the party

For example:
Petra (she/her)
Been not around the block a few times
Self-soothing: reading long fanfiction & Stardew Valley
I hope: I want to add structure and enjoyment to my days of being stuck inside, and bring the same benefits to other people
I can offer: an open, sympathetic mind and suggestions of ways to cope, e. g. "connect with new people on the internet for new perspectives"

Comments

[starshipfox]

I've been recommending "The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating" by Elisabeth Tova Bailey, which is a memoir... about being stuck inside due to illness with a snail in a terrarium for company... but hear me out -- it's a wonderful insight into spending time alone, and the unexpected beauty of small things, and it also lets you enter the world of a snail, which is a great escape from the world of a human.

Also suggest "The Hazel Wood" by Melissa Albert as an incredibly gripping creepy strange novel that takes many unexpected twists... about a young woman who discovers she is being stalked by characters from fairytales.

Also "Heartstopper" by Alice Oseman, the CUTEST and kindest love story about two British teen boys.

[petra]

I think I need escapism that's a little farther from reality than listening to a snail eat, but as time goes on it may sound more comforting to spend time with someone else who's spent time alone.

Stalked by characters from fairytales is a great hook. It reminds me of how sad it makes my mother that I can't read Jasper Fforde, a combination of his writing and his being disparaging about fanfiction while writing what he does.

*takes notes* Thank you!

[starshipfox]

Do you have any particular flavour of escapism you most enjoy? I can probably give you better recs if you do! And "Hazel Wood" is great, definitely one of my top reads of 2018, even though I'm not always hugely into YA.

[petra]

My brain defaults to P. G. Wodehouse or Lois McMaster Bujold as maximally escapist literature, so -- sheer fluff or space opera?

[starshipfox]

I assume if you're a Wodehouse fan you've read "Three Men on a Boat", but I wonder if you've tried David Lodge? I find his style of Brisish absurdist humour to be similar to Wodehouse's, but he's writing about more modern situations. His first two books are the best -- "Changing Places" and "Small World". He made me laugh so much I got kicked out of the library!

[petra]

I think I tried David Lodge at one point and didn't finish Small World, but I can see how there would be some parallels there.

I haven't reread Three Men In A Boat in a very long time, so it might be just about time to give it another go. Thanks for the reminder!