These are truly strange times we’re living in and it can be difficult to drag yourself away from constantly refreshing your news feed. The one thing I’ve found helpful for stopping my relentless thumbs is shutting myself off from the world and getting immersed in a good book. Setting a new Goodreads challenge for the year and making the ~revolutionary~ (for me, anyway) discovery of my local library’s nifty ebook app BorrowBox has really rekindled my love for reading. So, I thought I’d share with you some gems in case you’re looking for a bit of escapism too.
Ordinary People – Diana Evans
I’ve been shouting from the rooftops about this one and even had my mini-review of it read out on my favourite podcast! A sprawling love story, set in south London against the backdrop of Obama’s election victory, Evans captures in minute detail a couple at odds with each other as they navigate raising children and growing older together.
Our Stop – Laura Jane Williams
I’m a sucker for a romance set in London, you say? You’re not wrong! This easy-to-devour book got me out of a huge reading slump as I practically inhaled it. It follows the story of Daniel and Nadia, who get in touch with each other via the ‘Missed Connections’ section of the newspaper, and their consequent near misses as they both look for love (and each other) on the tube each morning. It’s sweet, funny and the perfect pick-me-up.
Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This is such an important read, its careful dissection of race in the UK and USA will completely change the way you look at the world. At it’s core this a love story (there seems to be a running theme here), childhood sweethearts Ifemelu and Obinze grow up together in Nigeria but eventually grow apart as they move to America and the United Kingdom seeking better lives for themselves. I could write so much about how Adichie covers longing, the sense of dislocation experienced by each character but I wouldn’t do it justice – so please go and read this book immediately!
Norwegian Wood – Haruki Murakami
In 2020 we’re reading the classics. Okay, I actually read this over Christmas and LOVED it. I know this is supposed to be the ‘least Murakami Murakami’ but what better introduction for the unfamiliar amongst you? Seeped in nostalgia, the story follows Toru Wanatabe as he reflects on his college days in Tokyo and his first experiences of love. The story touches on mental health and loss but is also full of lightness and beautiful descriptive passages.
What have you been reading recently? Let me know in the comments below.
