Personally, I think it more important than ever to keep our minds busy and active. Especially during these unprecedented times we find ourselves in. I recently fell back in love with reading, so much so, I have read about five books this week. Not that I'm bragging or anything.
Reading has quickly become one of my favourite past times, and for the first time since the age of about 13, I have hours to dedicate to the sport. Now is the time to truly invest in good literature, and even challenge ourselves to read more books than we have done before.
Last year I was sent a Kindle by my mum whilst in Greece, who felt the same as me in the sense that she didn't agree with an electronic device to read from, but then eventually caved at the idea of storing thousands of books in one tiny device. I do still love the feeling and the smell of a new book, but for now, my Kindle Store is more accessible than Waterstones.
Here is a list of some of the great reads which I have been enjoying during this strange time.
Airhead - Emily Maitlis
Funny, sad at times and inspiring, this account of life as a journalist from award winning Maitlis is one of my favourites. I devoured this book just before the start of lockdown, and it even made the cut in my dissertation. As an aspiring journalist myself, I found it comforting to know that not everyone finds it as easy as others, and although now an excellent journo, even Emily has been knocked back once or twice. This book shows how broadcast journalism is often tricky to navigate, with things sometimes only coming together, or falling apart, moments away from live broadcasting. I really recommend this book to anyone interested in journalism, or anyone who admires strong women in a mainly male dominated occupation.
Call Me By Your Name - Andre Aciman
Yeah. I know. Really predictable, but let me argue the point. Firstly, if you know the controversy surrounding this book, and especially the problematic author, don't think that I don't too. I believe that we can love the art, but not always the artist. That being said, Aciman sure knows how to write about yearning for someone who always seems close, but is just a moment or two ahead. Whatever you want to call what Elio and Oliver share during their long summer together, somewhere in Northern Italy, Elio's narration resonates so clearly with me, it sometimes feels as though I have written parts of passages myself. This book has been annotated SO many times, I'm surprised there is room for me to read the words. Whatever I say about this book, I don't think I can do it justice, so I just urge you to read it and try to love it as much as I do.
White Fragility: Why It's So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism - Robin DiAngelo
For someone who thinks they are pretty clued up about social issues and injustices, this book has already taught me a lot. I think, especially as we are living through this politically challenging and important time, educating ourselves about racism which lives within the foundations of our society and therefore how we, as white people, are socialised, is one of the most important things we can do. I am still in the middle of reading this book, but it has already taught me a lot. It is taking me longer than usual to finish because I really want to engage with the writing, alongside actively trying to better myself. One of the examples from the book of how white people are almost socialised to be scared to talk about race and racial difference really struck me. DiAngelo gave the example of a mother shushing her child in the supermarket who, on seeing a black person for the first time, exclaimed: "that man's skin is black!" The mother instantly scolds the child for making the exclamation, and hurries away, embarrassed. To not cause offence to the black person, it seems right to shush the child, but on reflection, DiAngelo explains how by quietening the child, the mother is encouraging the idea that black people are to be not spoken of, their existence is embarrassing and it is shameful to talk openly about a difference in skin colour. All, of course, completely untrue and highly racist. It ties into the statement often made of "I'm not racist, I don't see colour." By not seeing black people for who they are, we are actively ignoring their struggles, oppressions and individuality. We fail to see them as human beings with individual experiences, which in turn leads to us to have a very generalised view of what we see racism as. Just for the record, white people do not, and will never, experience racism. Period. It is not for us to dictate what we see as being racist. If someone of colour says something is racist, it is. If a black person says something is racist, it is. I highly recommend this book, and encourage white people to educate themselves on the issues at hand today. Black Lives Matter is not a trend, it is not a hashtag and it is not something to be capitalised on. Black lives matter, today, tomorrow and always.
The Silent Patient - Alex Michealides
This New York Times Bestseller and rumoured future film was an absolute brilliant read. If you enjoy well thought out plot lines with jaw dropping twists, this is the book for you. I quite literally could not put this book down, and was sad to see the end of it. This physiological thriller follows the life of a therapist who wants to get to the bottom of the reasons why a, otherwise civilised woman, murdered her husband one night. I can't recommend this book enough, and I have been begging my friends to read it since I finished the last page.
The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
Chefs kiss!!! This is a classic and is one of my all time favourite books. I always find time to go back to this book again and again. The way Fitzgerald transforms the slightest, mundane, everyday activity into the most beautiful and poetic thing you have ever read is beyond me. Beautiful writing, beautifully tragic, beautifully Fitzgerald. This book captures the epitome of a summer filled with champaign, parties, love and secrets, and leaves you wishing to be one of the socially elite in Gatsby's 1920's New York.
Normal People - Sally Rooney
Annoyingly, I am one of those people who will insist on reading the book before watching the film, or in this case, TV drama series. Normal People touched me the same way that One Day by David Nicholls did. The time lapse and the coming and going of a friendship that was desperate to be more is what I see as the similarities between these two books. Capturing first loves, separation, loss of oneself, class difference and unhappy endings, this book has it all. Watch out for the ending!