Reading is a wonderful way to escape and relax. Having time to read when I’m wide awake (rather than just a few minutes before I fall asleep) is a luxury I usually only get on holiday. I have a break coming up and have been thinking about what I want to read – but I’ve found this curiously difficult. I usually love books full of intense drama: Scandi crime thrillers, war novels or tales of hardship and survival. But my heart feels weary right now, and I can’t face this sort of book. This sense of disconnection from the things I usually love is a sure sign I need a break – the burnout light on my dashboard is lit up and I need to pay attention.
My work is very emotionally intense, and it’s been a tough year. The news is depressing and just seems to be getting worse every day. So that I can really have a break to recharge my batteries I need books that are captivating enough to keep my mind off other things, but not too challenging (emotionally or cognitively). These are the kind of books that will help me achieve a state of flow, which also leads to a state of rest. They need to require just the right amount of effort, but also bring immediate reward.
With a little help from family, friends and colleagues I’ve have put together a reading list for all the weary souls out there – 10 fiction, and 5 non-fiction. I’m going to work through the recommendations I received so that I can add them here once I’ve read them. A big thanks to my mum (who is a librarian) for most of the little summaries.
The sort of book each of us finds rewarding will be different, but if you’re feeling a little lost when it comes to reading it’s a good time to experiment with new genres. I hope you find it helpful, and that it brings some well deserved rest.
(Note: I have included links to hive.co.uk as this is my go-to online bookstore. They offer a more ethical alternative to Amazon as well as a choice of free UK delivery, or collection from your local bookstore. Best of all a proportion of each purchase is passed on to the independent bookstore of your choice. I’m not affiliated with them in any way.)
10 Fiction Books for Weary Souls
- The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society – Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. Post WW2, a young woman journalist from London, looking for a story, corresponds with an unlikely motley group in Guernsey. Uplifting and funny.
- The Rosie Project – Graeme Simsion. A geneticist who is a little different from the norm embarks on a scientific test to find the perfect wife. Quirky and funny.
- A Month in the Country – J.L. Carr. Post WW1, a tale of lost love but also a reflection on the power of art to heal, and the consolation of memories.
- Cold Comfort Farm – Stella Gibbons. First published in 1932, this short novel has stood the test of time. When 19-year -old city girl Stella is orphaned she needs to throw herself on the mercy of her relatives, living on a farm in deepest, darkest Sussex. Somehow, amidst the rustic mayhem and threat of gloom and doom, girl meets boy, generation-old conflicts are resolved, and everyone lives happily ever after.
- Tears of the Giraffe – Alexander McCall Smith. Features Precious Ramotswe, owner of Botswana’s only detective agency. Gentle tales of misdeeds, resolved with wit, patience, a natural love for humankind and a belief in our innate goodness.
- The Thursday Murder Club – Richard Osman. The ‘murder squad’ is made up of those closer to 80 than 65 at an exclusive retirement home in Kent. Not as doddery as you might think, when a real murder is committed close to home. Lots of comedic capers – a wittily constructed piece of detective fiction.
- The Giver of Stars – Jo-Jo Moyes. While not classed as ‘great’ literature, this is a good read. Set during the Depression in Kentucky, it features five pack-horse (or rather pack-mule) librarians who brave the wilds to get books into the hands of the isolated, rural poor. A book about female friendship, nature and the magic of reading.
- The Tale of Desperaux – Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread – Kate DiCamillo. A children’s fairy tale that stirs the soul and reminds us that ‘Stories are light. Light is precious in a world so dark’.
- Hunting and Gathering – Anna Gavalda. This is a charming book set in Paris. It’s the story of four very different people whose lonely lives become beautifully intertwined.
- My Brilliant Friend – Elena Ferrante. This is the first of a series of 4 books known as the Neopolitan Novels. It is the tale of 2 friends growing up in 1950s Naples, following them through the many trials and tribulations of their lives. It is an immersive experience in friendship, growing up, and Italian life. These are books I wish I hadn’t read, because I’d love to be able to discover them all over again.
5 Non-fiction Books for Weary Souls
- Olive, Mabel & Me – Andrew Cotter. Scottish Broadcaster Cotter commentates unsentimentally and with caustic humour on life with his two Labradors. A good read!
- Becoming – Michelle Obama. Michelle’s story of her ‘rise’ to First Lady from her own perspective. Both humbling and inspiring.
- The Art of Rest: How to Find Rest in the Modern Age – Claudia Hammond. This one is a bit meta. A restful read about how to find rest through reading (and other things).
- Every Day Nature: How noticing nature can quietly change your life – Andy Beer. A wonderful book that encapsulates everyday mindfulness, while nurturing a deeper connection with nature. Each day offers something new to notice around you, following the seasons, and teaching some helpful facts along the way (like how dock leaves are actually useless for nettle stings!). Beautifully written with wit and wisdom.
- Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat: Mastering the Elements of Good Cooking – Samin Nosrat. This is such a beautiful and delicious book. If you love food (who doesn’t) this will bring you joy and make you hungry.
I hope these books bring you joy and rest. I’d love to know what you thought of them – email me to let me know!
