A few years back, emotional support pets became a thing. More recently, TikTok influencers gave rise to the concept of emotional support water bottles.
And I have no problem with any of that.
If Fluffy or Fido or a fifty-dollar water bottle is what it takes to get you through the day, it’s no skin off my nose. You do you, darlin’.
However, on days when the car breaks down, or the kids miss the bus, or your boss starts talking about “doing more with less”, or you get an email saying that your personal financial information was reveals in a data hack (again!) and the news is so dang depressing you start googling for cheap real estate in foreign countries with good weather, the thing that gets booklovers like me (and like you) through the day is books.
But not just any books; I’m talking about the special ones that wrap around your heart like a hug, stories offer a mental vacay on days when you just can’t adult anymore and the only thing you want to do is build a blanket fort and crawl inside with your flashlight, your book, and a box of ginger snaps. Books like that are our personal cheerleaders, therapists in hardcover, and partners in crime when life gets a little too real or a little too hard
Look, I’ve got nothing against Stanley cup. I’m sure it’s very useful. It keeps you hydrated, comes in all kinds of pretty colors, and keeps the water super cold/hot. Those are all good things.
But when it comes to emotional support, my book beats the heck out of your water bottle.
Every. Single. Time.
That’s why I’m on a mission to spread the word about Emotional Support Books. They might not be trending, but I really think they should be.
What qualifies as an Emotional Support Book, you ask? Well, that’s going to vary from reader to reader.
It might be a heartwarming homespun tale of friendship and found family (I’ve written about twenty that fit that description; feel free to check them out) or an epic fantasy that transports you to magical worlds populated with dragons and fairies, or a laugh-out-loud romance about a hapless heroine who you can’t help but root for. Whatever the genre, a good emotional support book can chase away your worries away faster than you can say "plot twist."
But perhaps the true magic of emotional support books lies in their ability to remind us that sometimes it's okay to not be okay.
In a world that often values productivity over self-care, emotional support books serve as a gentle reminder to take a breath, slow down, and indulge in a little literary TLC. Whether you're navigating the ups and downs of love, grappling with the complexities of family, or simply trying to figure out what the heck you're doing with your life, emotional support books are here to reassure you that you're not alone.
Moreover, emotional support books have the power to spark change within us, even transformation.
Yes, books can help us cope, but they can also help us thrive, inspiring us to embrace our authenticity, to confront our fears, and chase our dreams. They can challenge us to see the world through a different lens, too. Books encourage empathy, compassion, and a deeper understanding of ourselves and others.
When’s the last time a water bottle did that for you for?
Yeah. That’s what I thought.
So, the next time life throws you a curveball (or an existential crisis), why not reach for an emotional support book. It won’t keep you hydrated, but it might just help you bank on hope when the world feels bankrupt. Remember, no matter what life throws your way, if you’ve got a good book by your side, you’re never truly alone.
Speaking of being not being alone….
If you know somebody who’s going through a rough patch, lend them a copy of your favorite book, one that helped light up your life during a dark time. While you’re at it, help spread the word about Emotional Support Books.
Emotional Support Book might not a trending hashtag yet, or even a thing. But it should be.
When not curled up with a good book, Marie Bostwick can usually be found in her office, trying to write one.
A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of eighteen uplifting works of historical and contemporary fiction, Marie’s books are beloved by readers across the globe.
Drawing on her lifelong love of quilting and her unshakable belief in the power of sisterhood, Marie’s popular Cobbled Court Quilt series has been embraced by quilters and non-sewers alike. Her standalone books have also found a passionate following among lovers of women’s fiction. Marie’s novel, The Second Sister” was adapted into the 2018 Hallmark Hall of Fame feature film “Christmas Everlasting”, starring Patti LaBelle. Marie’s most recent novel, Hope on the Inside, was published in March 2019 and was chosen as a Reader’s Digest “Select Editions” book.
Marie’s latest endeavor is Fiercely Marie, a lifestyle blog that encourages women to live every minute and love every moment. She is currently working on her next novel, “The Restoration of Celia Fairchild”, which will be published by William Morrow in the spring of 2021.
Marie lives in Washington state with her husband and a beautiful but moderately spoiled Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
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