Books have always been more than just words on a page for me. They have been my refuge, my escape, and at times, my salvation. In moments of loneliness, uncertainty, or despair, certain stories have been a lifeline, pulling me back from the depths and reminding me of the magic, resilience, and hope that exist in the world.
Among the many books that have touched my life, three series stand out as the ones that truly saved me: Harry Potter, Inkheart, and CB Strike.
These books have been my steadfast companions. When life became unbearable, they offered unwavering support. They never changed, never judged, and never told me how to live my life. Instead, they anchored me when I needed them most, pulling me back from my darkest moments and offering solace when even the simplest tasks felt insurmountable.
Harry Potter: A World of Magic and Hope
I discovered Harry Potter when The Sorcerer’s Stone was first released. I was young, and it was a confusing time for me.
Raised by my devout Christian grandparents, I was a quiet child, hesitant to voice my opinions. I remember attending church one Sunday when the pastor, whom I admired, dedicated a large portion of his sermon to condemning Harry Potter as poisonous to our souls. He
then proceeded to tear a copy of The Sorcerer’s Stone in half. I almost cried. Out loud. IN CHURCH.
Even at that tender age, I knew that a fictional story, especially one so captivating, could not possibly condemn our souls to the devil.
I do not attend church anymore.
J.K. Rowling’s magical world provided more than just an escape—it gave me a sense of belonging. Harry’s journey from an unloved child to a hero surrounded by friends and found family resonated deeply with me. His friends became my friends, his enemies became mine, and every challenge he faced, I faced alongside him.
Hogwarts felt like a second home, a place where bravery, loyalty, and love triumphed over darkness.
“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light,” – Albus Dumbledore
Inkheart: The Magic of Stories
I accidentally stumbled upon Cornelia Funke’s Inkheart series in grade school. To this day, I still have my very first paperback copy. Though I have since upgraded to hardcovers, that battered old paperback has been through wars—stuffed in my purse, tucked under my pillow, left in the glovebox. That old copy has now also survived my daughter.
What better way to escape your own problems than by escaping into a book where the characters are escaping into a book? That irony is what drew me in initially.
This series is a love letter to the power of books. The idea that words could bring stories to life captured my imagination, and Meggie’s
journey through a world where fiction and reality
intertwined reminded me how books could be both
an escape and a source of strength.
“Books have to be heavy because the whole world’s inside them.”
The characters—especially Mo and Dustfinger—felt incredibly real. Their struggles, love for storytelling, and bravery in facing the unknown emboldened me in my own battles. Funke’s world reaffirmed my belief in the magic of stories and the solace they offer.
CB Strike: Mystery, Resilience, and Redemption
As I got older, my literary lifelines shifted to darker, more grounded stories. CB Strike, penned by Robert Galbraith (J.K. Rowling’s pseudonym), provided a different kind of comfort.
When I first picked up The Cuckoo’s Calling at a thrift store, I had no idea Rowling wrote it. As I read, something about the writing felt oddly familiar, and within the first few pages, I was hooked. Just as my reading preferences had matured, Rowling’s storytelling had evolved alongside me. Her ability to bring characters to life remained unchanged, and her signature dry humor added depth to the narrative.
I should mention—when The Running Grave was announced, I preordered it. I have never done that before! I prefer to “rescue” books from thrift stores, garage sales, and secondhand shops. Buying a brand-new book was monumental for me. I haven’t preordered The Hallmarked Man yet, but let’s be real—I’m going to cave any day now.
Unlike the magical worlds of Harry Potter and Inkheart, the CB Strike series offered grit, resilience, and real-world struggles. It follows private investigator Cormoran Strike and his partner Robin Ellacott as they navigate complex cases and personal hardships.
“You’re not broken. You’re just… a little bit cracked. Like the rest of us.” – Career of Evil
Strike’s perseverance despite his physical and emotional wounds, and Robin’s determination to carve out her place in a world that often underestimates her, struck a deep chord with me. Their stories reminded me that healing is not linear, resilience is built over time, and sometimes, the hardest battles are the ones we fight within ourselves. These books helped me process my own struggles, providing both comfort and inspiration through their raw, unfiltered portrayal of life’s hardships.
Few books can draw me in so completely that I forget my own reality and lose myself in theirs. That is why these books are so special to me—they offer a solace that few other things in this world can.
I would love to know which books have offered you solace when you needed it most. Have you ever found yourself clinging to a particular story in times of hardship? If so, what was it about that book that spoke to you? Let’s celebrate the stories that have carried us through our darkest moments.