7 books to suit any mood

For many of us, the last few months have been difficult.

Coronavirus headlines flood our TVs, radios and social media feeds and we can’t even head to the pub and wait for it to all blow over.

So, how about a break from it all? We’re bringing you 7 books that will either make you smile, help you escape or at least get you thinking about something other than the pandemic.

If you want to work on your career: Try Love Your Job: The New Rules of Career Happiness by Kerry Hannon.

You might want to use your downtime to work on your career and if you’ve not been feeling the love for work recently, this is the book for you.

Love Your Job is here to help you make work fulfilling and fun again, or even for the first time ever. It will teach you to change the habits and behaviours that make work drag and have you counting down the hours till you clock off. It’s about making small changes, not a huge transition, so it’s perfect for the current climate when you might feel there are not many big changes you can make.

If you want to read with the kids: Try His Dark Materials by Phillip Pullman.

This series is made up of 3 books: Northern Lights, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass, and follows the journey of Lyra as she sets off on a mission to find her missing friend Roger.

This fantasy series will help you and the kids escape from reality as you read about talking polar bears, witches, daemons and the mysterious Magisterium. Plus, Pullman has written 2 new books in the last few years that accompany the series and there’s also an adaptation available on BBC iplayer so it will keep you going for some time!

If you need cheering up: Try A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon.

You might know Haddon’s previous work The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and this follow up is every bit as heart-warming.

You’ll meet recently retired George who finds a sinister legion on his hip and starts to quietly descend into chaos, his wife Jean whose having an affair with George’s former colleague, and their grown-up kids: Katie whose upcoming wedding causes her brother Jamie’s orderly life to spiral. It’s incredibly funny and will remind you that no matter how crazy your family can make you, they’ll be there when it counts.

If you’re feeling unfit: Try Running Like a Girl by Alexandra Heminsley.

We don’t blame you if you’ve become a bit of a couch potato lately but if after yet another night of excessive snacking you ponder getting into running, this is the book for you. It charts Alexandra’s relationship with running, from unsuccessful beginnings to completing 5 marathons.

Getting into running can be tough even if you’re generally quite active. Reading this book will give you the motivation you need to get off the couch and making the most of your daily outdoor exercise.

If you fancy a classic: Try Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

This classic tale by Dickens follows orphaned Pip as his life is changed by a series of events, from a terrifying encounter with a convict as a child to the sudden generosity of a mysterious benefactor who sets him up to become a gentleman.

‘Classic’ novels can be tricky to get into but this one is very accessible and is funny, gut-wrenching and terrifying all at once.

If you’re feeling a bit disorganised: Try The Chaos Cure: Clean Your House and Calm Your Soul in 15 Minutes by Marla Cilley.

We’re all spending a lot more time at home than we’re used to and some of us might be feeling stressed if said home is messy or unorganised. Housekeeping guru Marla Cilley is here to help you transform your untidy house into a sanctuary of calm.

She shares her tactical tips, quick fixes, innovative uses for sticky notes and a wee bit of armchair therapy so that your home can be a place that you actually enjoy spending time in.

If you’re looking for even more ways to feel at home, check out the s1homes blog for ideas.

If you’re looking for a challenge: Try Les Misérables by Victor Hugo.

You’ll no doubt be familiar with the musical, but you might not know that it’s based on this novel by French author Victor Hugo. It follows the fortunes of escaped convict Jean Valjean as he attempts to put his criminal past behind him and live as a respected citizen.

It’s epic in its scale and at over 1,400 pages it will be an epic challenge to complete, but since we have nothing but downtime right now why not give it a bash?

If you’re looking for a new job, search the latest vacancies on jobs24.com.

Posted on April 24, 2020