Lockdown Reading List

So it’s official! South Africa’s lockdown has been extended by a further two weeks. Instead of worrying about what this means for my university and for the economy, I’ve decided to create a list of book recommendations for you to read in lockdown/quarantine. I hope you find some comfort in books during this time. Happy reading!

The Wayward Children Series by Seanan McGuire

I’ve seen a whole lot of booktubers talk about this series, so when I saw the audiobooks on Scribd I knew I had to give them a shot. This is a series of novellas following children who went to other worlds and then came back to our world. Think of what happened after Alice returned from Wonderland or the Pevensies returned from Narnia. Each book follows a different character, but some familiar faces pop up here and there. The first book is by far my favourite, but I recommend this entire series.

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophie Gonzales

It’s no secret that I read mainly fantasy, however these uncertain times have made me branch out a bit. Only Mostly Devastated is a queer retelling of Grease, and if that hasn’t convinced you yet, it’s also hilarious. Read this for a good time to forget about all the doom and gloom outside.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

What would this list be if I didn’t recommend you my favourite book of all time? Six of Crows is a must read. Follow criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker as he attempts the greatest heist of all time. This book has everything you could ever need, a smartass, emotionally and physically unavailable bad boy, a diverse cast of characters and several tattoo-worthy lines.

Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I only finished this book recently, but I’m absolutely still hooked. Seriously, I want to be a Daisy Jones and The Six groupie. This book follows the fictional 1970’s rock band, Daisy Jones and The Six, and chronicles their rise and fall. There’s a lot of sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll. It is a must read.

Small Spaces by Sarah Epstein

This YA thriller made me not sleep for a week. This book is the perfect thriller with an unreliable narrator, scary twists and turns and scenes that will have you sleeping with the lights on. Who needs sleep during a lockdown anyway? You’ll have plenty of time to recover from this book, so get started. You can check out my review for Small Spaces here.

Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

This is one the list because it’s a comfort read. Let’s not all pretend like we weren’t the biggest fans of Twilight when it came out. I prefer looking back fondly to the midnight movie premieres and the unhealthy obsession I had with Edward Cullen. Rereading an old favourite such as Twilight is the perfect way to block out the world outside.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

If you want to read a dystopian during this time, at least read one that was brilliantly written. The Hunger Games series is one of my favourites, even though I’m still pissed at the ending. However, it’s an amazing YA dystopian that defined the genre and it’s the only dystopian I would consider reading again.

There you have it! Some book recommendations for your Lockdown Reading List. Happy reading!

+1

0