Great books to tuck into during self-isolation

This post was written during the pandemic and contains information specific to it.

Each reader has their own interests in books. Mine is psychological crime thrillers. I love the tension, the mystery and the inevitable plot twist that each story gives. For me, this is the best way to spend the long hours we’ll be spending indoors for the upcoming weeks…

The Night She Died – Jenny Blackhurst

This novel had the biggest plot twist I’ve ever read – it honestly blew my mind. The tale is basically of a woman on her wedding night who disappears without a trace, presumed dead by family and police – but her best friend is left with clues and twists that lead her to believe something different. This is definitely the type of book to read whilst your curled up in bed with a cup of tea and a few snacks to get you through the crazy whirlwind that the plot takes you on. Simply gripping.

Fractured – Dani Atkins

I think I’ve read this 10 times, no exaggeration. If you’re a sucker for novels with a parallel universe vibe, and an underlying romantic connection that you route for the entire way then this is the book for you. One day changes a girl’s life forever and she finds her world shattered before her, but she can’t shake the sense of there being something more. I adore this book and remember reading it for the first time during the summer in my garden and it’s one of my favourite memories ever.

The House Swap – Rebecca Fleet

This book is crazy. With a capital C. This is a novel that needs your undivided attention and I sincerely recommend downloading Audible for this particular book – listening to it is certainly better than reading it because the voice gets in your head and immerses you in the story better than reading it ever could. Essentially, it is about a married couple who take a weekend away but learn that the house that they move into for the week has secrets embedded inside it, unraveling the wife’s long-hidden secret. There’s a huge plot twist at the end. I demolished this in about 2 hours, it was too good to put down.

Those are a few of my favourite books, and whilst they’re all in the same genre, I love reading into other genres too, like the Classics: Silas Marner by George Eliot is a fantastic and heart-felt Victorian Novel. If you like more realist novels, about pressing issues in society, try Jodi Picoult. She is a fantastic author and writes brilliant novels such as Nineteen Minutes or the better-known My Sister’s Keeper.

It’s important that during this time, you’re doing more than just lying in bed. Be active, get up earlier, be productive – and if you feel like having a lazy day, that’s okay! Consider sitting down with one of these books, by an open window with a coffee or a cup of tea and a blanket. Just enjoy having some time to reflect and catch up on some well-deserved ‘me-time’. This situation doesn’t have to be negative – think optimistically about how much you can do whilst you’re at home! You’ll be surprised at the result.