My Lockdown Reads.

Lockdown has been a crazy, surreal time for us all. I am fortunate enough to have been safe at home, finding myself with endless hours in the day to fill. It was simple, I turned to reading. I have loved reading from an early age, but with school and exams - the last year has blurred my concept of reading into being that of textbooks, set texts and work. Like many teenagers, I struggled to find any joy from reading, as it became a chore rather than a choice.

Fast forward to the present day; finishing school and having time during lockdown has re-established my adoration for books, for reading and for prioritising time every day to sit down with a book. Why are books so important? Books are more than just stories or words on a page. Books ignite our imagination and desires. Books provide tranquility and a sense of calm. Books highlight different perspectives on life. Books boost our creativity and memory. But the most important thing for me; they provide a powerful escapism.

Whatever you read and however long it takes you to read it, I hope it provides you with some comfort and joy. I have gobbled up books in lockdown, helping me to reduce the stress and worries about whats going on around us. There is no better time to pick up a book, no matter what it is, and find peace or stimulation, laughter or tears. Lose yourself in the stories. In the wisdom. In the narrative. Below are the books I have devoured with pleasure during the last month or so....

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

(beautifully written, page turner, powerful story of loneliness, love and survival, coming-of-age meets murder mystery, a must read)

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

(sharp and witty, laden with snappy, endlessly quotable one-liners, encompasses love, loss, betrayal and most satisfyingly, revenge, a must read)

Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan

(her debut novel, a contemporary love story with a similar style to Sally Rooney but with a queer twist, very hyped by the media but the ending not so sold on)

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

(such a classic, the best murder-mystery writer hands down, worth every minute, an easy read with a gripping plot, always worth a read)

Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

(gobbled this up, Sally Rooney undoubtably the voice of our generation, touches on relationships and all that they entangle: infidelity, the pleasures and difficulties of intimacy, our own bodies, a must read)

Normal People by Sally Rooney

(re-read after bingeing the TV adaptation, one of my favourite books, navigating relationships into the landscape of adulthood, love, intimacy and misunderstanding, so raw and emotional, I adore it, both the book and series are an absolute must watch for our generation)

Adults by Emma Jane Unsworth

(contemporary, satirical, the truth surrounding social media and our obsession of self-promotion, fearless, funny, compassionate yet savage, a comical, intelligently written book)

One Day by David Nicholls

(emotional, beautiful, friendship, love, the film does not do the book justice at all, I recommend reading the book before watching the film, which I failed to do)

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

(heartbreaking, based on a true story, life-affirming, courageous, unforgettable, love arising in the darkest of times, during the Holocaust)

I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

(never fails to provide sharp wit, wisdom and vulnerability surrounding life, love and ourselves, relatable, honest, hilarious, loved it)

The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary

(currently reading as I write, so far so good..)

Happy Reading,

Armorel x