Today’s blog post is taking a look at what I’ve been reading in Lock down. It has been a long time since I have had the reading bug. All this extra time we’ve found ourselves with has to be put to some use right?
What I’ve been reading in Lock down
A wedding in December – Sarah Morgan
When you’re planning a wedding in December, this book couldn’t be left on the shelf. It was a tad predictable but I found this nice easy read really got me back in to the swing of reading again. If you like your books full of ‘will they, won’t they’ then this is totally the read for you.
Plus if you’re getting married in December of course it’s worth a read.
A wedding at the comfort food cafe – Debbie Johnson
Seeing a theme develop? A nice quick read that had plenty of fun characters to get behind. I can quite honestly say though, that I took NO ideas for the wedding from this book. If you’ve read it, you’ll know why!
Around the village green – Dot May Dunn
I am a huge fan of anything World War II related but I have yet to read any books based around that time. This memoir documented young Dot May Dunn’s childhood from 1939. It was a very different read for me but I really enjoyed reading about the reality of the war but through the eyes of a child. It was a quick read, but I think it would be one I could revisit again.
The Family upstairs – Lisa Jewell
Ohhh this is a good book! Again, this is not a genre I would ever normally read. It had me almost instantly. 3 dead bodies is quite the hook. Thanks to some flipping back and forth between present day the past, the story becomes so much bigger than I had expected.
I could not put this book down. The pessimist in me was worried that the story had been built up so much that it would have a disappointing end. Believe me, it didn’t.. at all! I loved this book and I would recommend to anyone who’d listen!
The Mothers – Sarah J Naughton
No picture for this one as I have already lent it to a friend to read. That in itself says it all.
5 women who meet at a parenting group, what could go wrong? A missing husband maybe! I knew there was a really good reason I never joined the local NCT group! Not that I was married so it would have been hard to lose a husband I guess!
Well worth a read, not a heavy going book and very easy to read and get lost in.
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine – Gail Honeyman
This book has been everywhere and came highly recommended. I am not sure how I missed it for so long.
I really didn’t have much clue where this was going to go. It has been such a long time that I have become completely absorbed in a character. Eleanor is fascinating, I don’t remember reading a book where I could ‘see’ the character so clearly. The reader is made to feel her pain, her joy and her sadness. I loved her development as a person, because honestly she felt more like a real person than just a character.
Closing the book felt like closing a chapter on a friendship.
Very excited to read that Reese Witherspoon has bought the rights to make the book in to a film.
Before I say I do – Vicki Bradley
OK I promise no more wedding related books now. Not that this book can be mistaken for a love story. But as I am only half way through, who knows what could happen!
So far so good though, this one doesn’t hold back though. It goes straight in with the drama within a few pages.
Reading in lockdown
Picking up a book at the end of a day at home has been the perfect form of escapism that is needed during this time.
I honestly feel that I lived the books so much more than I normally would because life in a bubble can appear very 2D, quite flat. Disappearing in to a book bought action, drama and ‘people’ in to my life.
Books have always played a big part in my life, but I lost my way. Too wrapped up in life to find escapism between the pages of a wonderful book.
Plus all the extra money I have saved can now be spent on books, much to the delight of Rob!
Have you been reading more during lock down? What would you recommend to me? Drop me a link to your book reviews in the comments as I am keen to increase my library.
These sound like some great books to read. I love reading ww2 books as well and have featured several on my blog. I’d definitely recommend reading some books by Annie Groves because she is such a brilliant writer. She does little series of books so you can follow the story.
That’s a nice stack!
I think I’m downloading “The Mothers” today 😉
I absolutely ADORED Eleanor Oliphant. I know the book was Marmite for many people but luckily I love Marmite too. And your description about closing on a friendship is spot on. I also very much like the sound of The Mothers – will have to look out for that one. Great reads for lockdown, Claire, thank you for sharing! Lisa x
Thanks Lisa. I can see why Eleanor Oliphant is a bit marmite because you either ‘get her’ or you don’t. I’d imagine in real life she could rub people up the wrong way or be very endearing x
Brilliant post, the family upstairs was already on my to read list, I will buy it now thank to your recommendations. I’ll also try, before I say I do.
I’ve spent most of the time in lockdown reading romance, as I didn’t want to read anything sad in an awful time. But I’m now ready for some thrillers.
Thanks for sharing
They are both brilliant, I have loved them x
These are really good book titles. I am interested in a few of them and would most likely add them to my reading list for the next quarter of this year. Hopefully they have an eBook version, because bookstores are closed due to the lockdown. 🙁
Great post Claire! I’d love to see more bookish content from you. I literally started reading The Family Upstairs an hour ago so REALLY glad you thought that one was so good. It sounds great and I’m excited to get stuck in. Although do not get me started on Eleanor Oliphant. Words can’t describe my hatred for that book haha! Although saying that I worship the ground that Reese Witherspoon walks on so I’d definitely still see the film.
Thank you, I enjoyed doing it. I always fancied doing book related stuff but I just never made the time to read!
How are you getting on with the family upstairs?
I really think Eleanor Oliphant is like marmite, love it or hate it, there is NO middle ground at all. Like you though I love Reese Witherspoon. I have just bought Little fires everywhere after watching the series, if you haven’t watched it, it’s a must! I loved it x
You have been reading quite a lot and that’s awesome! ‘Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine ‘ looks something that I’ll enjoy, i’ll add it to my cart now. Thank you for sharing your reads 🙂
I am so glad that you are reading more books! Reading books is always nice and a good way to relax! I need to think of some books to read haha
The family upstairs sounds like my kind of book, I’m adding it to my ever growing list of recommended books. I need some time at the beach to get some reading done 😂
I have hardly had time to pick up a book during lockdown, there are a few on here I would love to read though x
Ooh The Family Upstairs sounds like a really good read. My reading has totally dropped in lockdown because I’ve not had a commute – I’ve got so much I want to be reading right now! Fantastic post and I hope the reading buzz continues for you!
Lindsey | https://aramblingreviewer.wordpress.com/
That is a nice variety of books you have read, its always nice to get recommendations of books to read from others. Will add these to my reading list.
I’ll have to check out the wedding books!
I loved Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, it took a few chapters for me to get stuck into the book but I would recommend it to anyone! The other books you’ve recommended sound really good too! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
What some great sounding books, I think The Family Upstairs sounds like it could be up my street – I might have to see if I can get that on audible.
I have been doing a lot more reading in lockdown. I read the Family Upstairs but only gave it 3 stars as I guessed what was going to happen
Oh I’m so excited to read some of these! I’ve been seeing The Family Upstairs everywhere so I’ll probably pick that up soon, and I already own Eleanor Oliphant so that’s one of the nexts on my (admittedly very long) list 😊
My list just keeps getting longer. I have started using the site Storygraph to keep track of what I am reading and what I want to read next. It’s really good x
Great post! I actually wasn’t a huge fan of Eleanor Oliphant- it was a good book but maybe a little too random for me. I’m excited to hear about Reese Witherspoon making it into a film 🙂
These sound like great reads! I will have to look into them when I am done with my current book. Thank you for sharing!
Amber – The Unpredicted Page
This is actually really handy, as I am running low on reads, so I will be trying a few of these. thanks x
Wow….. you read good books during lockdown. I am interested to read book no.3.
I loved Eleanor Oliphant, hoping there is a sequel. Try Rachael Lucas Red Telephone Box Library, you would love that is it is set at Bletchley Park
I need a few more books to add to my summer reading list! The Family Upstairs sounds exactly like something I’d like 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been going through ebbs and flows of reading during lockdown – I’ve had weeks where I’ve read a book pretty much every day and then gone two weeks without reading anything. These books definitely all seem right up my street though!
I’m always looking for good book recommendation! I have definitely added some of these to my list!
I really do like Sarah Morgan books, they are always such a nice read. A wedding in December sounds magical
You have read quite a number of books there. I have added A Wedding in December by Sarah Morgan as this looks like a book I definitely want to read
I love to read. While I prefer mysteries for the most part, I do enjoy a nice light red that doesn’t require thinking from time to time. School just ended for my son so now I hve a little free time where I my try to read.
I have eleanor oliphant on my shelf to read in July and I could not be more excited!! I am seeing so many great ratings for it and people seem to love eleanor as a character so much. You’ve read loads and it’s so awesome that you’ve got the reading bug. Xxx
I hope you enjoy it, She is a really likeable character x
I’ve had Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine on my tbr for so long now! I really need to get it!
I hope you enjoy it x
I also read so many books during lockdown. I spent almost all my time reading literature and poetry. I can see you read many books during lockdown period too.
Great list. I’ve heard that The Family Upstairs is really good – I’ve got the book I just haven’t got around to reading it yet. This has made me look forward to starting it. 🙂
These sound like good ones! I’m reading a fictional account of the life of Anne Boleyn right now.
You have been busy! I haven’t read anything for so long. Months I think, I have just been so busy but I have two books in my to be read pile that I want to get around to soon. Thank you for the reminder! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Lauren, I have probably read two books in the last 2 years so it has been a long time coming x x
Great post! I haven’t read any of these books but I’m definitely going to check them out!
I love seeing what people have been reading at the moment! Love the sound of Around the Village Green!
Tash – http://www.agirlwithview.co.uk/
All of those look like wonderful and interesting books to check out. Thanks for sharing and it’s been a while since I last read some books.
I haven’t read any of these books yet, but I see that changing in the near future! They are definitely being added to my To Be Read pile. Thanks for the good honest reviews!
Wow you’ve been doing a lot of reading! I told myself I would, but so far I’ve read two books this year.
Great post, thank you for sharing! Unfortunately, Eleanor Oliphant wasn’t my favourite- but it’s still a great, light read and I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂 I’ll have to check out these others.