Five books to read in lockdown
Last week, on August 17th, I was celebrating my birthday with my husband when the unexpected happened. We were at our favourite local Italian restaurant, enjoying creamy seafood marinara pasta and lamb gnocchi paired with prosecco and old-fashioned. Earlier that day, news had spread that there’d been a positive COVID-19 community case in New Zealand for the first time in six months.
The TVs in the restaurant were all playing the 6pm government announcement, and we joined our fellow diners as we held our breath, awaiting what this would mean for us.
Lockdown for 7 days.
Over 5 days of lockdown, so far our national community cases have risen from 1 to 72. With most cases being from Auckland, it’s unlikely our city’s lockdown will be limited to 7 days. It’s hard to describe my emotions at the moment: a mix of anxious, discouraged, optimistic, restless, determined, devastated, and content.
If you’ve also been on an emotional rollercoaster, I’d love to share with you five books to read during lockdown - five of my favourite books, and words that are perfect for this strange time we’re in.
Where Hope Comes From - Nikita Gill
A beautiful, hopeful book. If I could recommend only one book for anyone experiencing anxiety during lockdown, it would be this one.
In this poetry book, published 2021, Nikita Gill explores our collective trauma through the life cycle of a star. She invites us, the reader, to feel connected to the universe, by taking us on a journey through the five stages of grief to the five stages of hope.
Nikita Gill has a way with words - I’m a big fan of her other books, Great Goddesses and Fierce Fairytales - and Where Hope Comes From is no different. The poems in this book will remind you that what you’re experiencing is normal. It will remind you that you don’t need to be productive every second of the day. It will remind you that it is okay if all you do is breathe, take it slow, and survive another day. It will reignite your hope.
The Comfort Book - Matt Haig
Another fresh 2021 publication, The Comfort Book is a collection of reflections on hope, survival, and the messy miracle of being alive. There’s philosophy, self-reflection and anecdotes, lessons learned from nature, animals and famous people, lists, and inspirational reminders.
The Comfort Book is, indeed, comforting. It doesn’t try to tell you that everything will magically get better. It doesn’t make you feel guilty for going through a tough time. It’s calm, patient, and hopeful - and allow you to see more of life’s beauty and possibility.
This One Wild and Precious Life - Sarah Wilson
In This One Wild and Precious Life, Sarah Wilson uses science, literature, philosophy, and her own personal journey to encourage us to overcome our collective despair and disconnection. Chapters of research and commentary are interlaced with stories of her travels to places like Crete, Los Angeles, Jordan, Australia, and Japan. Along the way, she explores our crisis of connection, loneliness, social media, capitalism, climate change, and coronavirus.
This is perfect if you’re feeling contemplative and in search of a deep read.
The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
‘To realise one’s destiny is a person’s only obligation.’
The Alchemist is an inspiring, fascinating novel that is always powerful and uplifting, no matter what I’m going through.
Paulo Coelho’s story follows Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy who travels from Spain to Egypt in search of a treasure. Along the way, he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom point Santiago in the direction of his quest. What starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within.
One of my favourite books, I re-read this novel often - sometimes when I like some light reading that’s also deeply evocative, sometimes when I need encouragement during tough times. Because of how simply it’s written, this is also a brilliant book for those who want to get into reading more often, but don’t know where to start.
Home Body - Rupi Kaur
Rupi Kaur named her latest poetry book ‘Home Body’ because, she says, these are synonyms for each other.
after being disconnected for so long
my mind and body are finally
coming back to each other
- home body
If I could describe this book in one word, it would be cosy. This book feels like a warm hug for the soul, full of short but captivating poems that will help you cultivate feelings of self-love. Rupi Kaur also addresses topics like racism, sexual abuse, and trauma, giving victims the knowledge that they are not alone, and that healing is possible. A beautiful, raw, and honest poetry book that will resonate with those who have gone through similar struggles, or for those looking for a thought-provoking, introspective read.
If you are looking for mental health support this lockdown, you can get help from the Mental Health Foundation. You can also follow them on Instagram for helpful tips to take care of yourself during this time - even if it is simply taking a deep breath.
As I write this, the government is due to release our latest COVID-19 update, with the decision on whether to extend lockdown being announced at 4pm tonight. Wherever you are, I hope you are staying safe and well. x
Love,
Sophia
