So, we’re locked in. What now?
Anyone who knows me well will know what I’m about to suggest: If you’re stuck inside, get stuck in - to a good book (or 3).
Life is tricky to navigate at the moment and, to me, reading is the perfect escape - even if only for a little while. When I was going through a particularly rough patch last year, I found books to be an incredible source of respite and calm. I hope that in our current situation, you’ll find that you feel the same way too.
With that in mind, I’ve come up with a list of 3 books I think are perfect to curl up with right now.
Cosied up in East London’s Libreria bookshop, 2018.
With the disruption caused by lockdowns worldwide, you may not have access to the books below, unless you own them (or a Kindle) already. That’s okay. I just hope this post inspires you to read more - perhaps you’ll finally pick up that book that’s been sitting on your shelf for far too long, or maybe you’ll re-visit an old, comforting favourite. Either way, you’ll get into - or back into - reading.
Here we go.
#1
The One About Self-Isolation
My Year of Rest and Relaxation BY Ottessa Moshfegh
Okay, I’ll admit I didn’t initially pick up this book for any other reason apart from the cover - yup, I literally judged a book by its cover - and I’m so glad I did. Set in the months leading up to 9/11, the novel is narrated to us by our unnamed protagonist, a beautiful, privileged twenty-something woman who is so deeply dissatisfied with her life that she hatches a bit of an extreme experiment. For one year, she isolates herself in her luxurious NYC apartment, armed with an elaborate cocktail of pills and endless (bad) coffee, and hibernates away from the world.
This book is unputdownable, but not in the conventional sense of the word. Don’t expect wild twists and turns, but do expect to be transported into a dream-like, hazy realm, far removed from reality while being oddly relatable at times. Peppered with eclectic characters and crazy sequences, this is one self-isolation read that’s worth getting sucked into for a few hours.
#2
The One That’s Like a Hug From Your Best Friend
EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT LOVE by DOLLY ALDERTON
This book. This is, by far, the best book I’ve read in the last 6 months. British journalist and podcaster Dolly Alderton takes us on a rollercoaster ride of living, loving, and learning her way through her twenties. In her part-memoir, part-self-help book (a genre I’ve recently discovered and adore), Alderton eloquently discusses love, friendship, and navigating the curious world of ‘adulting’, all through the lens of entertaining - and sometimes heart-wrenching - stories from her life.
Reading this book is like drinking a delicious cup of coffee that never goes cold. Full disclosure: I didn’t even know who Dolly Alderton was until I read this book. Although I am now officially obsessed with everything she writes, knowing who Alderton is isn’t a prerequisite to getting into this book. It’s easy to read, highly relatable, and just so comforting - and we could all do with that extra bit of comfort right now.
#3
The One To Remind You It’s Not All Bad
factfulness by hans rosling
I don’t tend to read a lot of non-fiction, but when I started Factfulness, the first thought that came into my mind was: why didn’t I pick this up sooner?! Through an intricate tapestry of fascinating research, quizzes, and anecdotes, Rosling highlights that, despite our setbacks, and despite our tendency to get bogged down by sensationalist headlines, the world is actually getting better.
One of the most important things I took away from this book is the value of objectively assessing the information we consume on a daily basis, before rushing to form opinions on it. I think that now - more than ever - it is critical to remember this.
Read this book to learn the life-changing power of true facts, backed by real, hard data. But most importantly, read this book to remind you that, no matter how slow, progress is still progress.
I hope this little list gives you what you need to power through the next few weeks of social distancing. Reading can definitely make our new normal just that little bit more magical, so - if you haven’t already - pick up a good book and get involved. 🌟
Stay home, and take care.
Until next time,
S
Want to follow my reading adventures? Check out my Goodreads profile.
Cover image captured at Sula Vineyards, Nashik, India. Book images courtesy Amazon.