2020 was the year I found a love for reading, and there were five books that helped me to find a new love for reading. Prior to 2020, and covid for that matter, I simply didn’t read that much. The books I wanted to read were gathering dust in my book case, and I didn’t have the time to read. If I did read it was for uni (undergrad and masters), and not for pleasure. In 2020, I decided that I wanted to read more and I set myself the challenge of reading a book a month, which did actually happen. For me, five books really stood out.
The Boy who Followed his Father into Auschwitz by Jeremy Dronfield
2020 started off by picking up this book. It received it for Christmas, and suddenly the heartwarming but equally painful true story captivated me. So much so, I finished the book in less than a week, as I couldn’t get enough. I don’t know if it was the true story pulling on heartstrings, my love of history, or the painful account of just one family’s story from Aushwitz.
The Little Coffee Shop Of Kabul by Deborah Rodriguez
Brought back in 2019 to read on the beach, or on a plane, it was a book I never got round to reading. Okay, I did start it in 2019, but just couldn’t get into it. After finishing The Boy Who Followed, I decided to pick it up again and give it another chance. I had the time to read with uni not starting again to February, and realised how much I had enjoyed not looking at my phone from the previous book. It’s safe to say it’s a book I truly loved, and thinking about it now nearly a year on, I’m considering re-reading it again. It’s such a lovely story, set in a war torn country. It’s about friendships, hope, every day horror and the realisation to the reader of how lucky they are to live in a country where women are not prosecuted for simply being a woman.
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Possibly one of my favourite books of all time. A book I simply couldn’t put down. From the story, to the characters to the independence and free love of the main woman characters. Set in New York, it’s scandalous, sexy, unconventional for the time (1940s). The book explores women’s sexuality and the idiosyncrasies of true love whether that’s in a loving relationship, family, or friends. It’s a love story, but it grips you, and a love story like no other. Honestly, if it was made into a film I would be very happy indeed.
The Lido by Libby Page
Between end of June to end of August I went through a bit of a rut with reading. Writing a dissertation and landing an internship, suddenly I had no time to read again. Then after eventually finishing Our Stop, I picked up The Lido for my daily commute on the train. Like any book, it takes me a good few chapters to get into, but suddenly I couldn’t but it down and the hour journey to and from work flew by thanks to a story of friendships, love, swimming pool, community spirit and a journalist. I would like to thank The Lido, because since completing it I went on to read another 6 books in 2020, which probably wouldn’t have happened without The Lido.
What book or books made you fall back in love with reading?
Life of Alicia 