Reading During Lockdown

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Since March 2020 one of the worst events in recent times, has been the Coronavirus pandemic, not only creating death, misery and a potential danger to the global economic system. The measures either enforced or instructed all by respective governments whose mantra ‘Stay Safe’ enabling a policy in making sure you don’t put yourself and others at risk of infection by introducing a ‘lockdown’. Everyone in all countries had to restrict their schedules, work, travel etc. There has been a positive by –product of this catastrophe. People across the world have been creative as having to remain indoors for weeks on end as this has been outlined in the media that some people have actually written and published books. According to a number of news articles, thriller writer Peter May had a manuscript at the bottom of his drawer for 15 years. The story, visualised a global pandemic that sent  London into lockdown, he claims to be the first fictional novelist to publish a fictional response to the coronavirus crisis, moreover other authors of similar dystopic works are beginning to dust off and
edit their previous works for publication. According to Amazon, dystopian themes have climbed the E-book charts. BBC website news have outlined that  libraries across England have noticed a surge of subscriptions in online borrowing of e-books, e-magazines and audiobooks. Libraries Connected  said that 120,000 people joined libraries in the three weeks after lockdown began, and highlighted that there has been an increase by 600% on last year.
According to the Reading Agency , the most popular genres have been Crime and Classics, moreover Books about fictional epidemics including The Plague by Albert Camus and The Viral Storm by Nathan D. Wolfe (up 1393.2%) are seeing huge sales. There is also the non-fiction category of self-improvement especially coping with the mental health crisis of what some describe as ‘enforced isolation’, and by absorbing positive steps in an attempt to avert negative thoughts and behaviours.

According to the Independent listed an example of top five books are:

Just Sit: A Meditation Guidebook for People Who Know They Should But Don't, Sukey, and Elizabeth Novogratz, The premise outlines that, whether you have thought about practising meditation or never given it much thought, perhaps this is the opportunity.

This Too Shall Pass: Stories of Change, Crisis and Hopeful Beginnings: By Julia Samuel

The key element is, in a moment where there is a lot of apocalyptic talk, it can be helpful to look back on past challenges and times of crisis and remember they didn’t last forever.

A Swear Word Coloring Book for Adults, Honey Badger Coloring

A cathartic way of combining the therapeutic elements of the somewhat recent innocent trend

in colouring books for adults, by having a F…You  element to make it less twee.

The Little Book of Mindfulness: 10 minutes a day to less stress, more peace, Patrizia Collard

promises to bring a moment of calm with simple thought exercises that only take 5 or 10 minutes of your day, and could even be shortened to a minute or two if necessary.

Notes on a Nervous Planet, Matt Haig

As with the media in all forms has, pending on your outlook and nature can be detrimental as

Matt Haig published this guide for coping with an unrelenting news-cycle and recognising its effects on our mental health – something it feels like we could do with now more than ever.

Forbes Magazine, has a list of recommended titles to read during the lockdown, curiously enough

the subjects relate in parallel for example.

The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz

Author: Erik Larson: This historical book tells the story of Britain during the time of Winston Churchill and the Blitz. The cinematic structure will make you feel as though you are reading fiction, though the story is real.

Acting With Power: Why We Are More Powerful Than We Believe

Author: Deborah Gruenfeld : Gruenfeld explains everything you need to know in order to execute power correctly. She looks at who has power, what it looks like, and the role it plays in daily life.

Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity

Author: Jamie Metzl : Discusses the future of genetic engineering and how it will change our wars, love, death, and more, and even if we have the power to do something- should we?

The Genius Life: Heal Your Mind, Strengthen Your Body, and Become Extraordinary

Author: Max Lugavere : The Genius Life discusses the human body and how we can make our brains perform better, and how to improve by integrating  healthy choices in all aspects of our daily routines: eating, exercising.

Why Read?

"It takes me to another, better place and allows me to escape the current situation for a while." said one avid reader in her 60’s

"It has been something I have gotten into, wanting to read on for excitement. It passes the time and I'm learning new things."

Female, 20