With everything going on in the world lately, I’ve found myself retreating into stories that offer both comfort and deep reflection. I truly believe that fiction allows us to experience the lives of the past and draw parallels to our present. Here is what has been keeping me company:
Healing with Simon Snow
I recently turned to Rainbow Rowell’s Simon Snow series. If you haven’t discovered her work yet, I recommend starting with Fangirl. It’s a delightful story about a protagonist finding herself through writing fan fiction for a series similar to Harry Potter.
The Simon Snow series is that fan fiction brought to life.
- Book One (Carry On): The “Chosen One” meets his destiny and falls in love. Once the character Baz appears, the book is all heart.
- Book Two (Wayward Son): This feels like the author’s fantasy come alive—she brings these characters to her home state of Nebraska! I completely relate to this; what is the point of being an author if you cannot write your fantasies on paper?
- Book Three (Any Way the Wind Blows): This explores the real aftermath of the hero’s journey. How does one move on once the “evil” is destroyed? It was beautifully written and exactly what I needed to heal.
Anna Bushi 