Lock-Down with a Good Book

Lock-down recommended reads for escapism during a difficult time- the old edit

As with the previous post, I have gathered together the books that I have read whilst in Lock-down. These books are ones that have been on my shelf for a long time and have never got round to reading, as I am trying not to buy too many more books, However the books covered in this post are older publications; Jane Austen's Emma, Jeff Vandermeer's Annihilation, R.J Ellory's A Quiet Belief in Angels, Victoria Hislop’s The Return, Khaled Hosseini‘s And the Mountains Echoed and Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Emma- Jane Austen

I read this Austen novel after i had read Persuasion for my degree and mainly beacuse of the film that came out earlier in the year which seemed to encapsulate the charm and wit that Austen writes so well. Emma as a character is both likeable and childish in her games of matchmaking which reveal pitfalls in her character and awkward interactions with other characters. I found this to be my favourite Austen novel and highly recomend reading and watching the latest film, where Miranda Heart plays Miss Bates with twittering humour and well meaning.

Annihilation- Jeff Vandermeer

With parallels that could be drawn to Area 51, the futuristic, sci-fi novel focuses on the unknown entity that is Area X. The principle character, the biologist, a member of the twelfth expedition into Area X, narrates with intensity, translating the unease and haunting atmosphere that she is exploring. The first in the Southern Reach trilogy leaves many questions unanswered and pulls you through naturalistic strangeness and the fear of the unknown. I definitely want to read the next two in the series and would definitely recommend if you are into sci-fi and thrilling environmental dystopian fiction.

A Quiet Belief in Angels- R.J. Ellory

Following the life of Joseph Vaughan in America in the 1930s and the impact and his relationship to the murders of little girls that afflicted his childhood home, A Quiet Belief in Angels, is an unsettling and haunting novel that tries to solve the murders that seem unsolvable. I found that it took me a while to get into the novel and at first I was unsure of Joseph, however I grew to like his character as the book progressed. This is my favourite genre of novel, and it did not disappoint, having read it in a couple of days, and would love to read more of his work.

The Return- Victoria Hislop

This is the first Victoria Hislop book that I have read and her style is very easy going, but I’m unsure whether it is quite my cup of tea. However, the bookend story line as way to plunge into the past is interesting as you’re aligned with Sonia, a dissatisfied wife who has found a love of dancing as an escape from her drunkard husband, as she learns of Spain’s civil war. It was interesting to read about a historic event that I knew very little about but had head of through paintings like Picasso’s Guernica and briefly in history classes. Hislop’s focusing on a single family pinpoints the fractures the civil war made on a small and country wide level. She was also able to follow each family member and the struggles each faced with brothers pitted against one another and torn apart through their political beliefs, a mother’s grief and a young girls struggle to find herself and love in the midst of war. I really like how she brought to light the difficulties that women suffered, largely at the hands of men or specifically Franco, who propelled Spain into war with itself.

And the Mountains Echoed- Khaled Hosseini

Set in Afghanistan, Paris, San Francisco and Tinos, Hosseini covers family bonds that cross generations following the lives of varies characters that intersect and cross over one another. Whilst this was brilliantly written, I still prefer A Thousand Splendid Suns and The Kite Runner. However the way Hosseini delves into the lives and minds and creates a world of so many interesting and captivating characters is exceptional and I couldn’t put it down. Khaled Hosseini is by far one of my favourite writers. The books opens following the relati

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Stieg Larsson

I have left my favourite book until last. A series that is well known for its film adaption and the novels brilliance, and i couldnt agree more. The journalistic recording of events intertwined with the thrilling unease and murder mystery made almost 600 pages light work. Mikeal and Lisbeth as character's are compelling and their relationship even more so. The thrilling, mysterious unease and the focus on sadistic assertions of male power, commenting on sexual violence towards women in Sweden was, whilst uncomfortable, was written about with a journalistic mind in order to reveal the truth for justice. Overall this is a compelling read and much much better than the Hollywood film.

The books I’m going to cover in the next post are The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas, Why I’m no longer speaking to White people about race by Reno Eddo- Lodge and Queenie by Candice Carty- Williams. These are some of the books, along with the podcasts and documentaries and films, I have been taking time to read to educate myself on why Black Lives Matter- and keeping the conversation going.