Isolation reading recommendations

[SorchaMumsnet]

Hi all

If you're self-isolating, or indeed just spending a lot more time at home now, what are you currently/planning on reading and why?

We're creating a page with recommendations so would love your help - whether you're doing any of the following (or something completely different):

-Seeking out time-appropriate dystopian reads (ie Station Eleven mentioned on this topic already)?
-Steering clear of that and plumping for escapism/light reads?
-Deciding it's time to tackle that 600-pager you've been putting off?

All the best, and happy reading

MNHQ

My ultimate comfort read is My Family and Other Animals - I am going to re-read and imagine I am sitting in the Mediterranean sun!

Books I have finished recently and enjoyed:
The Familiars - Stacy Halls
The Light Between Oceans - ML Stedman

On my list are:
The Rosie Result - Graeme Simsion
Normal People - Sally Rooney
Wakenhyrst - Michelle Paver

I absolutely love Natasha Pulley's novels The Bedlam Stacks and The watchmaker of Filigree Street. Beautifully written books that have just a hint of the extraordinary.

Dorothy Koomson - gripping standalone books
Angela Marsons - police procedurals that you will read in a Dudley accent
Faith Martin's Hillary Green series - a bit like a female led Morse

I am currently reading Alan Bennett's charming 2005-2015 diary Keeping On Keeping On. It is very rooted in his normal day-to-day activities, so it is a good distraction from everything and a reminder of what the world was like until very recently.

As a PP said, I also normally enjoy dystopian fiction but I'm avoiding it at the moment. I'm sure I'll be tempted to reread Station Eleven quite soon, though.

I meant apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic fiction as well.

I’m rereading A Song Of Ice And Fire. By the time I’ve finished that, GRRM will have finished the final edit on The Winds of Winter, he says. He’s observing rigorous self-isolation, according to his replies to all the not-entirely-disinterested fans who’ve written to him with concerns for his health.

Also on the pile are the new Rivers of London (False Value), and Wolf Hall/Bring Up The Bodies, which Sainsbury’s are selling for £4.50 each (I borrowed them from the library the first time around). Having looked at the hardback for M&TL I’m going to leave that for the paperback or until I’ve done some weights.

Eliza Graham, Thé One I Was. Kindertransport child and forbidden love, with a twist

L C Tyler Herring series — wry reinterpretation of Agatha Christie.

Deborah Swift — Pepys series. Topical but female protagonist take.

The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne is quite possibly the best book I have ever read.

I’m going to read all the books I had got stashed up for holiday reading.

Educated
Little Fires Everywhere
I am Pilgrim
The Night Circus
Milkman
All the Light we Cannot See
The Little Friend

I have just finished The Nightingale, recommended on here. About life in occupied France during WW2. If you think self isolating is hard, try reading this!

Anne Frank's diary seems an appropriate read for these extraordinary times.

But maybe it's time to get to work on that book that you were always meaning to write.

Or simply to start journalling. You can't say you've got nothing to write about.

PS: I'd like to second dipping back into Cold Comfort Farm or Three Men in a Boat for some much needed fun!

I've been rereading Lionel shriver's The Mandibles for light relief. First time I read I I thought it was quite shocking but reality has since become more shocking.

Can somebody remind me of the name of the book of the family (from Liverpool?) whose fortunes go from good to dire, but their wealthy family won't help.

That sounds like Helen Forrester 'Twopence to Cross the Mersey'.

Thank you for this thread.
I'm going to recommend Simon Armitage's Walking Home and Walking Away.

I’ve said him a couple of times but Nevil Shute’s On the Beach is brilliant.

But also chillingly about the end of human life. Yet they party, work and carry on rather than riot.

Recently I have really enjoyed:

The Confessions of Frannie Langton
The Familars
Things in Jars
Crooked Heart and Old Baggage (OB is the prequel it is heart warming and beautiful)

Dare I say....Stephen King's the Stand? Have a morbid urge to re-read it myself.

As for me, I have got into the Preacher Graphic Novels after reading the first two volumes I have ordered the remaining volumes and hope they manage to arrive!

1984

Have just finished the new Natasha Pulley (wonderful) and The Foundling (ok) and am reading False Values. The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave is another recent one (fabulous). I've caught up with sequels of old favourites too which has been less good. I read The Strawberry Thief which catches up with Vianne of Chocolat fame but found it Meh. Also started The Labyrinth of Spirits and I've not got far at all, I adored the previous ones (The Shadow of the Wind et al) years ago but cannot get into this one.

Maybe if I do have to isolate I'll get there but I'm busy busy working.

Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones is next to be read.

Some great books here, this is teh time for reading series of books in between.

I've just finished the four book series of Cemetery of Forgotten Books.

Rivers of London is good too

My favourite author is Robert J Crane and his books are on Kindle Unlimited. Sanctuary has seven books, Girl in the Box coming up for 40.

Don't read The Road. Brilliant book but wait for happier times.

I'm at the start of my period of self isolation and I can finally get to start on my very extensive 'to read' list.

Authors include Jasper Fforde, Malcolm Pryor - the Aberystwyth series, some David Sedaris books. I shall also be reading selected Terry Pratchett and David Eddings and shall be buying the Skulduggery Pleasant books.

Currently reading All The Light We Cannot See and not really gripped by it so far. Best reads this year have been The Heart's Invisible Furies, Circe and The Stationery Shop of Tehran.

Is that why Gavin was looking for the laptop while Kirsty was in the bath?

Ah wrong thread! 😆

I love Year of Wonders

Me too.

Also:

A Town Like Alice
Trustee from the toolroom both by Nevil Shute

anything by Menna Von Praag, they are a hug in a book.

Lesley Pearce books about women in various life situations
Tor Udall's A thousand paper birds is one of the best books I've ever read.
The Queen of Subtleties by Susannah Dunn is a must read

Also The Overstory by Richard Powers. Powerfully told, and environmental themes for our times

I found the perfect antidote to C19 anxiety and self isolation, is Jeremy Hardy speaks volumes. I've laughed so much. I'm trying to ration my reading of it to make it last. Another antidote today was watching Dinner Ladies, the glorious comedy by the much missed Victoria Wood. What a cast of actors, everyone of them is a gem. (My dad was a dessert rat)