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This week all I've wanted to do is hug my cat (and my kids). I am dedicating this week to highlighting other blogs that I love. I have learned so much from becoming a book blogger, not just about books, but about being supportive to others, writing honestly while maintaining civility, and thinking carefully about what kind of energy I am sending out into the web when I post.  I know that what I am doing this week is not going to change anything.  But in the face of tragedy I choose to respond with kindness.  I hope we can all try to be a little nicer to each other; no matter what color, what religion, what citizen status, we are all the same.

Here are three more wonderful blogs that you should check out.

1.  It Starts at Midnight:

One of the best organized book blogs I have ever seen, this blog is run by Shannon.  She reads and comments on all kinds of YA books.  She has some great opinion pieces, reviews, blog tours, and giveaways.  Everything is laid out so well, it makes you want to meander around and look at everything.  Shannon also seems to be heavily involved in connecting to other bloggers through challenges such as the 2015 Discussion Challenge, The Shelfie Hop, and the New Release giveaway hop.  When I go to this blog, I feel like I'm "In the know" about all the cool happenings among book blogs.

2.  Reading Addict:

 I've gotten a lot of comments and interaction from a blogger named Crina.  She runs a blog called Reading Addict.  Her blog focuses on YA, NA, Dystopia, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary and Mystery/Thriller.  Whew, that's a lot of different types of books!  Crina does a BUNCH of blog tours, Book Blitzes, giveaways, and reviews.  Her blog is another place where I feel like I am getting the latest information on new books.  Crina is very friendly and kind and I am so glad I found her blog.

3.  Novel Ink:

Isn't this a lovely logo!  This is a beautiful Blog run by two bloggers, Christy and Erica.  They are both fun, happy people who absolutely love all things books.  They have book reviews, discussion posts, and unique features such as Trivia Tuesday, Hooked, and Inked.  Because there are two bloggers, you get twice the amount of books, genres, and styles.  Erica focuses on Contemporary and Romance, while Christy loves Dystopian and Mystery.  This blog has reviews that really personify writing with a voice.  I can learn a lot from how they show their personalities through writing.  They are also sweethearts who take the time to write comments on other blogs.  This is something I need to dedicate time to do each week.  It takes effort and I appreciate it when folks take the time to comment.

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My week of Spreading The Blogger Love continues.  I love how bloggers are there to encourage each other.  When I first started this blog, I didn't know the first thing about blogging and had tons of questions.  Thankfully, several bloggers came to my rescue.  Other bloggers have been very kind in encouraging me through their comments.  Here are a few more blogs that make me smile.

1.  Mikayla's Bookshelf:

This blogger loves YA, Fantasy, Dystopian, and Chic Lit.  I like her blog because her reviews are fun and filled with cool GIFs.  It doesn't hurt that I happen to have very similar tastes in books (Queen of The Tearling is one of my favs, too).  She has regular features such as Top Ten Tuesday, Waiting on Wednesday, and Feature & Follow Friday. I also appreciate that she takes the time to come to my site and comment on a regular basis.  This makes me feel like people are actually reading my blog and that I am getting to know them, which is why I started a blog in the first place.

2.  The Innocent Smiley:

When I first started my blog, I would go to other blogs and look with envy at all the cool gadgets on their pages.  One of the things that caught my attention on The Innocent Smiley's site was the Blog Roll on the side of her page.  I liked it so much, I got up the courage to email the blogger, named Valerie, to ask her how she did it.  Could she direct me to a website or reference that would explain how to do the coding?  She not only quickly replied, but explained (in a lengthy email) exactly how to do it.  She gave me example code and even offered to further explain it to me.  Such generousness  of spirit touched me greatly.  She gave me a great tool to show off the blogs I like, but also made me feel like I wasn't stupid.  Her site includes Top Ten Tuesdays, Reviews and posts about her life.  Her site shows how you can find ways to share about your life and connect with your readers (and be super nice along the way).

3.  Milky Way of Books:

Run by Alexandra, from Greece, this blog focuses on Paranormal Romance, YA Fantasy, and Dystopian books.  She is very active with blog tours of new releases, so if you follow her blog, you are sure to be in the know for all the latest books.    Her blog has a very lovely design which will make you want to just explore and explore all the goodies on her site.  I really appreciate Alexandra because she is another blogger who takes the time to comment on my site.  The more often you can visit and comment each week, the more you can get to know your fellow bloggers.

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With all the horrible world-wide events of this last weekend, I feel no motivation to just do regular posts right now. Amid the senseless violence there were many acts of courage, such as the man, named Adel Termos, in Beirut, Lebanon who tackled a suicide bomber to the ground, saving countless lives.  Sadly, he did not survive.   You can read more about this here in this news report. 

 I feel like many of us could use a big hug.  Please remember that there is so much good in the world, too.  So, in the spirit of warmth and comfort, I will spend the week highlighting lots of different blogs that I like.  Please check them out, leave a kind post, and just spread the love.

1.  Rather Too Fond of Books:









This blog is run by a woman named Hayley out of the U.K.  Because of this, she is spotlighting books that I haven't heard of before, but that sound amazing!  I think I can get these books through Book Depository, so I'm looking forward to ordering several of her recommendations.  I am particularly interested in the Christmas books she has mentioned.   They look fun and that is what I need right now.  She does Blog Tours, reviews,  giveaways, and a weekly wrap-up.

2.  Books Bones & Buffy:





 
The name of the blog pulled me in.  Any mention of Buffy and I'm an instant fan!  This blog is run by Tammy, who focuses on Fantasy, Horror, and Science Fiction.  She has lots of reviews and giveaways.  I really like these genres and so I am getting lots of great book recommendations from this blog.  She does Waiting on Wednesday, and her own twice-monthly book haul post called Overbooked (too cute, right?).  If you are a fan of Fantasy, you will love this blog!

3.  Inked Brownies:






This blogger, named Anne, is from Holland.  She combines two things I love: books and baking!  She focuses on Fantasy, YA and travel books (some of my favorites).  She loves baking and includes some yummy looking recipes to her blog.  I plan on trying out her Triple Chocolate Pumpkin cake for Thanksgiving!  I really love how some blogs seem to really embody the personality of the blogger.  I think Inked Brownies achieves this spectacularly! 

First of all, I want to express my deepest condolences to those who lost loved ones during the atrocious attack on Paris on November 13.  It breaks my heart to see such a beautiful city torn apart by fear.  Whatever the reasons these criminals have, it is NEVER justifiable to take lives.  How I wish problems could be solved peacefully.

Okay, back to books...

Synopsis (From GoodReads):

 A sumptuous and sensual tale of power, romance, family, and betrayal centered around four sisters and one King. Carefully researched and ornately detailed, The Sisters of Versailles is the first book in an exciting new historical fiction trilogy about King Louis XV, France's most "well-beloved" monarch, and the women who shared his heart and his bed.

Goodness, but sisters are a thing to fear.

Set against the lavish backdrop of the French Court in the early years of the 18th century, The Sisters of Versailles is the extraordinary tale of the five Nesle sisters: Louise, Pauline, Diane, Hortense, and Marie-Anne, four of whom became mistresses to King Louis XV. Their scandalous story is stranger than fiction but true in every shocking, amusing, and heartbreaking detail.

Review:

I received this ARC courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  My views are not influenced by anyone other than myself.

When I began reading The Sisters of Versailles, I was giddy with anticipation of a juicy read.  This books is filled with fashion, court intrigue, backstabbing sisters, fashion, fashion...  Oh, did I mention there's a lot of descriptions of dresses in this book?  This is obviously a well-researched depiction of court life at Versailles.  While it was fascinating, I felt like I was eating a steady diet of sweets, and not getting a full meal.

The story centers around five sisters, four of whom managed to become mistresses to King Louis XV.  That's a pretty astounding feat to be sure, but I was looking for a more well-rounded historical fiction book.  Even though the Revolution wouldn't occur until 15 years after his death, the events of King Louis XV's reign would put into motion the decadence of Versailles and the unrest of the masses.  Although the book did make vague references to a famine and the masses hatred of the King's mistresses, I didn't feel how the events in the book fit in to the larger history of the times.  I would have loved to read a few chapters from the point of view of some of the servants.  Their more simple lives would have contrasted well with the ridiculous luxury of the main characters and would have grounded the book better.

I did enjoy the letters between the sisters.  Each letter showed the characters' personality and there were many parts where one could read between the lines to understand more of what was happening than what was actually being said. 

I did like this book!  I just feel like it could have been even better with the addition of more depth.  If you like reading about the decadence of Versailles, you will enjoy this book.  This is supposed to be a trilogy about the many mistresses of King Louis XV.  I assume at least one of the books would center around the most famous of the King's women, Madame de Pompadour.  She apparently was very influential in running the country during the Kin's later years.  Perhaps then we will see a book with more history and less bedroom drama.

This is the season of parties:  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa,  New Years Eve.  They are all occasions to talk to your friends about books!  Asking someone what they are currently reading is a great conversation starter and is sure to bring about a lively discussion.  It is also a great way to get recommendations for your TBR list.   I am constantly whipping out my phone to jot down a title of a book that everyone (but me) seems to know about.  Here are three books to read and recommend to your friends:


Don't Let's Go To The Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller:

This is a devastating memoir about one messed up childhood.  The author grew up on a farm in Africa in the 1970's, but that is not the reason her early years were so twisted.  She had a mother who turned to alcohol after a tragedy and the effects of this were neglect and chaos.  This time period also coincides with a time of upheaval in several African countries.  It seems that as one revolution occurs, the family moves to another political hot spot.  It's a wonder she survives to adulthood, given what happens to her.  When I meet another person who has read this book, we knowingly nod as though we experienced these things ourselves.  To those who haven't read it, I will talk it up incessantly.  It is SUCH a great book!


The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II by Denise Kiernan:

This is the true story behind the Manhattan Project that built the first atomic weapon during WWII.  Usually, we hear about the male scientists who worked on the project.  But this book focuses on the women (and men) who were the support team working just as tirelessly to help end the war.  Most of the people involved never really knew what was being developed.  They only thought it would hasten the end of the war.  Since almost everyone had a family member in the military, there was a strong desire to do whatever it took to win the war and bring their guys home.  This was also a fantastic opportunity for women to enter the workforce for the first time.  This brought new freedom for women.  I like to recommend this book for it's unique perspective on an important time in American history.  It is a fascinating story that more people should know about.

 Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life of Huguette Clark and the Spending of a Great American Fortune by Bill Dedman:

This book has special meaning to me as one of the mansions is a home in Santa Barbara, California, where I spent my childhood.  We often wonder about the lives of the super-rich.  What must it be like to own a bunch of homes and just have them waiting for you to show up?  What would you collect if you had unlimited means?  How would you spend your millions? This is a story of one wealthy family and their attempts to deal with their good fortune.  At first, it would seem these people would have it made.  But what happens is that their vast wealth creates a barrier between them and  the rest of the world.  It would be difficult to trust anyone when you know that so many people want a piece of what you have.  Couple this with family squabbles, lawsuits, nannies, and con-artists, and you have a cautionary tale.  It is an intriguing read.

Synopsis (From GoodReads):

When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family. Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.

Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.


Review:

The Kitchen House brings to life the brutality and strange social dynamics of the slave culture of the American South.  The story takes place in the Virginia countryside between 1791 and 1810.  Lavinia, a  six year-old white Irish child becomes an indentured servant for a family after her parents die during the voyage to America.  Being so young, she is brought to the kitchen house of the tobacco plantation to help the slaves with the cooking.  Despite their color differences, the workers welcome the child and over the years they become Lavinia's family.  There Lavinia witnesses the harsh treatment of the workers and abuses going on in the main house.

I found this book very powerful and, at times, disturbing.  The book pulls no punches in it's depiction of the mistreatment of slaves, particularly the common occurrence of white men raping females slaves.  If you have a trigger for such things, be warned.  There is plenty of wrongdoing going on in the slave owner's family and we see how various people deal with the isolation and despair caused by their situation.

I was not very fond of the main character, Lavinia.  I am more used to books with take charge kinds of women.  Lavinia was very passive about her situation.  She also seemed to wait for men to save her.  This is probably how women behaved in that time period, but I still found it to be annoying.  The women who were slaves were often more active in protecting themselves than Lavinia.  In their small actions of defiance, these women found ways to survive the horrors of that time.

I believe the author, Kathleen Grissom, did extensive research on the workings of a plantation and the book reflects this in it's attention to detail.  I found it eye-opening to see how the overseer could manipulate certain situations to profit from a plantation owner's lack of involvement in the day-to-day running of the business.  The overseer could take some of the rations meant for the slaves and sell it, leaving just enough for the workers to get by.  So, even if an owner thought he giving sufficient supplies, the slaves may not have gotten it.  This increased the hardships for the slaves.  

This is a page-turner as events unfold and one can see a disaster looming ahead.  I stayed up late several nights, not realizing any time had gone by because I was so absorbed in the plot.  This is why I read lots of books.  I want to be transported to times and places I couldn't ( and wouldn't want to) actually experience.  It's one thing to read about slavery in history books, and quite another to be shown the human toll in a compelling story.  I hope you will read this book.  I was very moved by the characters and plot.

Synopsis (From GoodReads):

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all. 


Review:

A girl in high school who has never had a boyfriend instead has a series of impossible crushes.  Did author Jenny Han somehow peek inside my life?  It's been along time since those days, but this book brought me back to that wonderful, confusing time in my life.   Lara Jean is facing lots of changes in her life as her sister leaves for Scotland to attend college.  Margot always took care of all the details since their mom passed away six years ago.  Lara Jean will have to shoulder the responsibility of making sure her younger sister, Kitty, is taken care of, as well as running the household for her busy dad, a doctor.  This is also junior year in high school so she has a demanding work load.

As I read To All The Boys Iv'e Loved Before, I really felt connected to the main character.  It was much safer for me to have crushes on boys than really become involved with them.  Lara Jean is forced to confront several of her crushes when her letters to them (never meant to see the light of day) are somehow mailed.  One of her crushes is on her sisters ex-boyfriend, Josh, who lives next door.  In order to save face, she convinces another of her ex-crushes, Peter, to pretend they are dating.  But this charade may be more realistic than Lara Jean intended.

I loved the depiction of Lara Jean's home life.  Too often in YA books, the parents are regulated to background noise or are absent altogether.  This is not the case in this book.  Lara Jean's father and sisters are important parts of the story and explain much of her actions later in the book.  I also appreciated the ways in which the family tried to keep connected with their Korean heritage through food and family.

The romance in the book took a long time to simmer before boiling over, which was refreshingly realistic.  This book deals with the intense pressure teens are under to pair off and hook up before they are ready.  All teens, boys and girls, have sexual feelings, and I liked that Lara Jean started to understand that she was interested in getting closer to the boy (I won't spoil it by saying who) and how she would have mixed feelings about this.  We live in a culture that congratulates boys for scoring, while labeling girls who have sex as sluts.  These issues are a central point of the book.  I felt this was dealt with in a smart, realistic manner.

Now, I am trying to make time to read the sequel, P.S. I Still Love You.  These are entertaining, fun characters who I look forward to reading about again.

Synopsis (From GoodReads):

Kadence Sparrow wasn't born a devil's child—she was turned into one. Now, she's hiding from the truth, and running for her life.

For years, Kade's true nature has lurked behind an illusion, so when her dad gets another job transfer, she knows the drill: no close friends, no boyfriends, and most importantly: don't expose what she is. Ever. Keeping secrets is easy. Lies are second nature. So is the loneliness—and the fear, but when the Shadows attack, and Kade meets Cole Spires, she could expose everything she's trying to hide.

As one of the Celestial Children, Cole lives by an oath: defend the Ward, protect the Primordial race, guard the gateways, and stick to his own. Everything else is a distraction, and besides, he’s lost enough. Cole's job is clear, and no one his age does it better. So, when he meets Kade in a club downtown, he assumes she just wants his attention. Most girls do, but Cole soon realizes ... Kade isn't like most girls. 

The children of heaven and hell are living among us, fighting an age-old war. And falling for someone from the opposition is not an option. But a chance encounter between Kade and Cole will blur the rules, as Kade's journey to keep her truth hidden catapults them together and into a web of lies, forcing her to not only face the demon inside her, but to answer the hardest question of all. 

Review:

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

YA Fantasy is one of my favorite genres.  Books such as City of Bones, The Raven boys, and Daughter of Smoke & Bone, all have elements that are fresh and original.  Despite the fact that Crystallum seems to take aspects from all three of these books, I really enjoyed reading it.  It's like when a chef takes ingredients that are used for one thing, and then creates something else entirely.

The book begins in much the same way as City of Bones where the main character, Kade, sees something strange happen in a club, and finds out that there is a whole secret culture of people protecting the world.  Kade also has secrets in her life, secrets that isolate her from the rest of society.  When she arrives in Boulder, Colorado, Kade is befriended by Giselle and Lindsey.  Kade has never been allowed to have close friends, and especially no boyfriends.  Cole is the hottest guy is school and he knows it.  But when Kade is attacked by the shadows, Kade and Cole meet and the sparks fly!

One of the things I enjoyed about this book is that Kade is not a helpless female who needs to be saved.  She is far from being a wimp, as she fights off the shadows herself.  But, as she was raised with a dark secret, she has cut herself off from other kids her age.  She is clueless about boys and dating, and seems to be especially clumsy around Cole.

I also found that the relationship Kade has with her father could easily be an analogy to the dynamics found in family abuse situations.  At first, it looks like Kade's dad is just overly protective of his daughter.  But as the story progresses, one can see parallels to abuse.  When kids suffer abuse at the hands of their parents, they are often alone and weary of getting close to others.  They cover up for the abuser and blame themselves for their own mistreatment.  I found this aspect of the story is what changed it from being just another "girl finds out she has superpowers" story into something more.

The author created wonderful chemistry between Kade and Cole.  As they get to know, and trust, each other they form a tender relationship.  Cole is more than an arrogant pretty boy.  He has daddy issues of his own to deal with.  I hope Kade will help him confront some of those problems in the next book.

Another thing I liked about the story is that most of the other characters had a mix of qualities and were not all caricatures of good or bad people.  I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in the series!

This feature was originally started by Team Tynga's Reviews.  Please check out their wonderful blog.

I have been sick all week so I haven't made many new acquisitions, but I did read three books (Yay, me)!  I was also a featured blogger on Feature & Follow Friday, hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee .  Go check out their blogs, they are great.  

I was a busy bee with my blog, writing five posts (beyond Stacking The Shelves).  And I did a giveaway on my blog for the first time on Tuesday's post.  I will be giving away a copy of Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl.  I believe the giveaway ends at 12am next Tuesday.

Here are the books I acquired this week:












Monday, November 2nd:  October Wrap up

Tuesday, November 3rd:  November Game Plan & a Giveaway

Wednesday, November 4th:  Book Review: Armada by Ernest Cline

Thursday, November 5th:  Three 4 Thursday: Movies to watch when you're sick

Friday, November 6th:  I am the featured blogger on Feature & Follow Friday!!!



 

Happy Friday everyone!  Whoo Hoo!!!  I am a featured blogger for this week's Feature and Follow Friday!  I have been sick all week, but checking out new blogs on Feature & Follow Friday will make me feel better!  I am finding so many new blogs to follow and are making new friends, too.  Getting to interact with bloggers and seeing how others have designed their blogs is one of the joys of this hobby.  I will try to follow as many of the blogs on the master list as I can and hope that some of them will follow me back!  This is hosted by Alison of Alison can read and Parajunkee.  Go to both of their sites and check them out!

Here is an explanation from Alison Can Read:

How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!

What sets this Hop apart from others, is our Feature. Each week we will showcase a Featured Blogger, from all different genres and areas. Who is our Feature today? Find out below. Just remember it is required, if you participate, to follow our Features and ayou must follow the hosts (Parajunkee & Alison Can Read) as a courtesy. How do you follow someone? Well, if you have a preference, state it in your #FF post. A lot of blogs are transitioning to Wordpress in which they do not have the luxury of GFC, so an RSS subscription is appreciated or if you choose an email subscription. If you don't have GFC please state in your post how you would like to be followed.

 Here are the answers to my feature questions:




Question of the Week: If you could take the place of one author which author would it be and what changes would you make in his/her writing style? - Suggested by

NJKinny’s World of Books & Stuff

This is a tough question, as I respect authors and their writing choices.  I mean, they have gotten a book published and I haven't, so who am I to criticize!  

But, after much thought, I think I might choose to take the place of the author of The Invasion of the Tearling author, Erika Johansen.  Although I loved this book, I found it very confusing to read.  The main character seems to float between two different time periods, often in the middle of the chapter!  I understand what she was trying to do (it all makes sense at the very end of the book).  But I felt foolish while reading it, like if only I was smart enough, I could get what was happening.  Also, her style was so different between book one and book two of the series, that I didn't feel it was consistent.

However, having said all this, I still do not feel up to the task of actually changing even a punctuation mark of Erika Johansen's writing.  She is a genius and I love her books.

Now on to the Blog hop!

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Guess who's not feeling well this week?  Working with kids is fun, rewarding... and hazardous to your well-being!  This cold I have has come on so quickly and so strongly I just want to curl up in a ball and watch a few movies that will make me happy and comfort me while I am miserable!  Here are three of my favorites

Pride & Prejudice (2005):

 As far as I am concerned this is the most romantic movie of all time!  Everything about this production is perfect.  It boasts a cast of well-known actors as well as people who became bigger stars after this movie.  Keira Knightly and Rosamund Pike shine as two of the Bennet sisters. But the other three sisters are equally impressive and became bigger stars over the years.  Jena Malone as Lydia would later feature in The Hunger Games.  Talulah Riley plays the youngest sister, Mary, and grew up to be a beauty starring in such movies as Inception.  Carey Mulligan plays Kitty and grew up to be the star of movies like The Great Gatsby and An Education (and was nominated for an Oscar).

The movie is finely detailed and full of lovely cinematic choices such as the scene at the ball where Mr. Bingley follows Jane and plays with the ribbons trailing on her dress.  Or when Mr. Collins, normally played as a buffoon, is shown smelling flowers and tries to get up his courage to talk to Elizabeth.  One almost feels sorry for him.  I loved how sympathetic every character is and find new details to treasure each time I watch it!

Casablanca (1942):


The second greatest romantic movie of all time.  I love a movie where all the characters, even minor ones, get a chance to shine.  Besides the wonderful chemistry between Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, there is also a wonderful rapport between the characters of Rick (Bogart) and Inspector Renault (played by Claude Rains).  I love the minor characters such as Rick's boozy ex, Yvonne, who you can see is heading toward disaster as she dates a Nazi officer to get back at Rick.  Or the bartender Carl (played by veteran character actor S.Z. Sakall) who fidgets nervously whenever there is trouble, but then is one of the first to attend a resistance meeting.

For a studio film in the middle of WWII, the director was able to make use of shadows, fog, and a killer wardrobe for Ilsa, to make the movie into a glamorous delight.  I love being able to recite certain passages together with the players on-screen.  That, to me, is comforting when I am sick.

To Kill a Mockingbird (1962):

Even with the seriousness of the subject matter, To Kill a Mockingbird is like a warm blanket:  comforting, cozy, and warm.  I think this is because the character of Atticus is the most ideal father figure.  He is strong but quiet, firm but gentle; pretty much what I would wish for when I want to be comforted.

The Black and White tones to the film give it a dream-like tone that is mesmerizing.  You know how some people have a certain quality to their voice that makes you want to listen to then all day?  That is the feeling I get when watching this movie.

Of course, the story itself is compelling (and somewhat disturbing).  The main portion of the film deals with the trial of Tom Robinson, falsely accused of raping a white girl.  But the movie also has many minor themes about growing up, friendships, kindness, the changing relationships we have with our parents as we get older, and so much more.  This is another movie that I get more out of the more I watch it.  It comforts me when I am feeling down.