Five Perfect Books for Lockdown (2021 version)

While being told to stay at home for three months with endless tea and win on hand sounds like a dream for book readers — lockdown puts a different spin on it.

This isn’t the time for heavy reads, depressing narratives, or stories about murder, war or death.

It is however a great time to escape from this endless Groundhog Day of nothing for uplifting, light and funny reads that will lift your spirits.

Here are five reads from this lockdown that have been my literary mood enhancers.

The Offing — Benjamin Myers (2019)

Not since ‘A Man Called Ove’ have I wanted to hug a book this much after reading it. It’s beautiful, touching and really makes you wonder what you have in your eye at the end of reading it.

The Others — Mark Brandi (2021)

One for those who like their lockdown reads gripping but a little darker. From Australian author Mark Brandi comes this claustrophobic thriller; father and son… and the question of who are The Others.

Sorrow and Bliss — Meg Mason (2020)

Mental health is front and centre for everyone this lockdown — and this book takes a dark and funny look at one woman’s story of mental illness. Don’t shy away from this one, as you’ll love the characters (occasionally want to punch them), but also take time to pause and think about the mental health of you and your friends and family around you.

His Only Wife — Peace Adzo Medie (2020)

Looking for something that is a mix of Crazy Rich Asians and Pride & Prejudice? Then this debut novel from Ghanaian Peace Adzo Medie is for you. It’s all of the above with a dash of fierce feminism. This even was a Reese Witherspoon book club pick — and we all know she picks some fabulous reads.

The Night Watchman — Louise Erdrich (2020)

For those looking for something a bit meatier at this time, then dive into the winner of the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. One of the most accessible books of this prize, it is rich with fantastic characters and a gripping narrative around the fight against Native America dispossession in 1950s rural North Dakota. What’s even better — Erdich has another novel on the way this year!