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

Just read big sky by Kate Atkinson, didn't start it till Saturday lunch time . If you haven't read case histories ... nows the time ! I'm gutted that I finished it !

I’d like to recommend Fiona and the Whale by Hannah Lynn.

It’s a really easy read, but engrossed me, and I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s free on kindle unlimited. I’ve been recommending it to everyone and so far haven’t managed to get anyone to read it.

I haven’t read anything else by this author, and am in no way connected, but I loved it.

I’m doing a Henry James marathon I read The Portrait of a Lady years ago and loved it, so decided to tackle his best novels.
I started with The Wings of a Dove.
Then read The Ambassadors.
Now rereading The Portrait of a Lady.
Plan to read The Golden Bowl after that.

It’s a good time for James I think as his writing needs time, thought and attention. They are also so civilised that it is a pleasure to inhabit his world.

I'm re-reading just one damned thing after another by Jodi Taylor - very long series that gets a bit too far off topic as the series goes on, but the first 4 or so are great.

It's about time traveling historians

Do not read The Stand, Station Eleven or The Road right now. Seriously.

I'm currently reading The Salt Path by Raynor Winn. It's a true story about a couple who lost their family home and business, then the man received a devastating diagnosis. They set out to walk the South Coast Path with a couple of backpacks and 48 quid a week between them. I'm only halfway through but so far they keep on keeping on which in the circumstances is pretty inspirational.

I've recently read the Foundling, Wyckenhurst, the Silent Companions, all of Syd Moore's books, the Bronte Sisters mystery and the Binding.
Currently reading The Illness Lesson but it has quite an oppressive atmosphere so I'm finding it a bit tricky.

Self-isolation here as showing increasing signs and symptoms.

Currently re-reading "The Green Mile " by Stephen King.

I have the titles of David Eddings, R.A. Salvatore (both fantasy); the back catalogues of John Grisham and Wilbur Smith; finally Dan Brown.

I'd be very interested in books similar to the authors above, please.

Elizabeth Jane Howard - Cazalet series is a lovely, gentle read, about four or five in the series.
JoJo Moyes - I like most of hers but especially Ship of Brides and the last letter from my lover
Poisonwood Bible is quite long but a really good read
Dear Mrs Bird and Cactus are recent ones that are easy and short reads
I used to read a lot before life got busy. I'm hoping that one tiny positive of all this is that I can lose myself in a book.
I always used to search by Richard and Judy book recs. They always had some great and varied books on their lists.

I was going to mention The Cazalets too. 5 books in the series.

love in the time of cholera is superb and seems to suit today's climate too!

I might reread The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt as it's my favourite book and although I've read it several times I still don't quite get some parts of it (the bit with the gangsters in Amsterdam - does anyone else not get that bit?) and I love the rest of it. I downsized my book collection when we moved house a few years ago, so feeling a bit annoyed by that now! I also run a book swap in our village but we have closed that because of the infection risk (minimal probably, but not worth it).

I'm coming towards the end of The Mirror and the Light and dreading saying goodbye to Thomas.. I may re-read Wolf Hall to bring him back to life!

I've just devoured a series of three books by Nina Stibbes, a trilogy that starts with Man at the Helm. I loved the humour and rich characters, and am sorry to have finished them.

The Road to Zoe by Nick Alexander was a great read too. He is another author who writes very real characters and strong plots.

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid was brilliant too - a beautifully crafted story that touches on race and class attitudes in middle class America.

@totallydevoidofideas try Fake like me by Barbara Borland if you like Donna Tartt, I think you'll love it.

@ IrisAtwood I've pulled The Great Short Novels of Henry James off my shelves to add to my reading list just this morning. Been so long since I read The Turn of the Screw it's going to be great to revisit it
Just now, tho, been sitting in the sun reading a second hand bookshop find a while ago, Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris, the Chocolat author. Loving the mix of France and food!!

I've just finished In The Company of The Courtesan which was a most enjoyable read. Pretty much any Sebastian Faulks and will probably start rereading Pat Barker's 'Regeneration' trilogy.

Everything brave is forgiven by Chris Cleave

I am genuinely re-reading "Return of the Black Death" by Susan Scott and Christopher Duncan published 2004. The title sounds a little OTT in the current climate but it's actually a scholarly but very readable re-examination of the mediaeval plagues, suggesting they were not caused by Bubonic Plague but an unknown viral infection.

I haven't reached the end yet but from what I remember from reading it when it first came out the authors conclude that a previously unknown viral disease could emerge again and infect large numbers of people. Fascinating reading

I’m getting stuck into a new fantasy trilogy called ‘The Antonides Legacy’, by Charlotte Murphy.

Loving it so far. I highly recommend

I'm going to re read Barbara Trapido starting with Brother of the More Famous Jack

It sounds an insane read on a heart attack ward (having been CPR'd and shocked back to life following a heart attack) but I read First They Killed My Father by Loung Ung which was an incredible, incredible, incredible read. It made my recovery from my near-death experience a bloody breeze. It's a story of a Cambodian girl who survives impossible heartbreak and the trauma of life under the Khmer Rouge. Her follow-up book is equally amazing. Harrowing, moving, beautiful, and important.
My recovery gift to myself will be a visit to Angkor Wat two years from now, for my 50th (if we can travel by then!).

'One Hundred Years of Solitude' (Gabriel Garcia Marquez) ?

Yes, that's right Mirada