'comfort reads'
For me, 'comfort reads' recently have been post-apocalyptic, usually set after a near-total pandemic, a nuclear war, a devastating flood or freeze. Probably not the best, but strangely good.
the authors have to have special outlook
One useful thing is Amazon Kindle Unlimited. 6.99 a month and you can borrow up to 20 titles at a time. Great for things that you want to read but aren't so bothered for buying.