I'm a little laid up with a cold. What books do you like to read when you're sick?

Definitely something that doesn't require any concentration!

Same thing I read when I am not sick.   Do people really have special "I'm sick" books?

I reread books when I'm sick.  Usually light or funny books.  I keep several just as comfort books.  That way I can fall asleep anywhere in the book without any suspense.  The worse thing for me to do is read a book with suspense or action as I'll get the adrenaline flowing and won't be able to sleep.

I'll also reread these books right before traveling.  I know I can put them down to deal with last minute packing and errands.  And there is no risk of staying up all night to finish the book.  As I know the end.  But a book is comforting with the stress of getting ready.

Short stories are also good. 

I'll read a comfort book like Jane Eyre or Two Against the North (I read that to some kids I was babysitting when I was single and we all loved it) or Men of Iron (ditto). Something familiar that I don't have to think about too much and I know how it turns out. 

I read short stories, too, Emily. 

I like comfort books like The Complete Tales of Beatrix Potter or The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh.

No books, but  magazines with many photos.

I usually can't read when I'm ill.  My alling moments are either spent in the bathroom hanging over the throne or with a Migraine not able to read in either condition.    But I like to watch The Princess Bride.  It was a tradition with my kids when they were younger to watch with them if they where home sick.

Stephanie Plum series.  Make me laugh.

I like to read young adult books when I'm sick. One of my favorites is the Mrs. Mike series.

The first book that comes to mind is "Pillars of the Earth."  I've reread it several times, and the writing holds my interest while still being familiar.  I always find it comforting.

When I am sick I like to read cheap, trashy romances.  Any one will do!

I cannot read much at all when I'm sick. Neither can DH, although we are both voracious readers when well.

He's been in the hospital, and people brought so many books, which was wonderful. But then they ask if he's read them yet---and seem disappointed when the answer is no. BUt he just cannot concentrate long enough. It's great to have them waiting, though!

Cozy mysteries.  They are upbeat, don't require a lot of concentration, don't have any upsetting plot twists, and always have a happy ending.

I can't read any kind of nonfiction if I'm not feeling well enough to concentrate for long periods of time.

Diane

i sleep or watch mindless tv. i'm lucky if i can motivate myself to watching a movie. i'm usually too out of it to read because i'm sure at some point i'll get sleep and have read half a page.

If I am sick, first of all it has to be large print.LOL    Second, it has to be something pretty mindless, like a good ole Harlequin with a kid, a woman and a guy who doesn't want to get married but can't keep his libido off of her.   These are the best sort of mindless reads for me.  I can usually skip anything wordy and get right to the dialog and still know what is going on.

I tend to read ones that I've read so many times before that I've almost memorized them, that the pages are wearing out and you can barely even see the title on the binding anymore.  They provide a level of comfort and familiarity, and it's like being visited by friends who cheer you up, except better because these friends won't be disgusted by your runny nose and constant sneezing ;P

My main "sick books" are the Howl's Moving Castle series by Diana Wynne Jones [which I also read when I'm having an emotional crisis and take with me when I'm leaving home for a prolonged amount of time], anything by Neil Gaiman [although they may not be good sick books for others because they are rather creepy and gross to some people], or something that I read when I was young or is geared towards younger audiences like the Bunnicula series by James Howe.