Is there anything like the joy of a good book?
One of the few good things about the virus crisis has been the opportunity to finally make our way through a waiting stack of books – especially since the weather turned good and we've been able to read in the back garden. But more than a month into lockdown and with the libraries closed, your stocks may be running low. If you've already read everything that you have at home, or are seeking some fresh inspiration, here are three books that the Her team read and enjoyed this week...
Jade's pick (@jadehayden)
Once Upon A River - Diane Setterfield
Escapism has never been more palpable than it is in Once Upon A River. A fairytale that's as honest as it is heartbreaking, the story is one that you won't be expecting and that you won't be able to forget.
A drowned girl brought back to life, a case of mistaken identity, and a community brought together by the art of storytelling – it's magical realism that even the most sensible among us can get on board with.
The real world is broken, but the world in Setterfield's novel is not.
Anna's pick (@annalizdaly)
The Bear and the Nightingale - Katherine Arden
Set in a small village in the heart of Northern Russia, this fantasy historical fiction is a wonderfully written story about Vasilisa, a young girl who doesn't fit the mould of what a young girl should be in 14th-Century Russia. This story, steeped in Russian folklore and filled with intriguing mythical creatures and dark superstitions, will keep you immersed until all hours of the night. It's a tale of magic, family, suspicion, cultural expectations, and defying others in favour of doing what is right. Katherine Ardon's writing is atmospheric and absorbing; she creates an intricately woven plot with magical prose that complements the storyline and paints characters that are both lovable and detestable. Let yourself soak in the imagery and atmosphere of this book and be transported to an entirely different life and time.
Leslie Ann's pick (@leslieannhorgan)
Where The Crawdads Sing - Delia Owens
Where The Crawdads Sing has been on my 'to read' list for ages, but seeing the cover pop up all over my Instagram in recent weeks made me finally open it up. And I'm so glad that I did. Beginning in the coastal marshlands of Carolina in the 1950s, the story follows 'Marsh Girl' Kya Clark from an impoverished childhood through into her adult life. A nuanced and intelligent piece of writing, this novel speaks of what it is to be human, examining love and loneliness just as Kya examines the natural world around her. Best of all, the rich and evocative imagery Owens paints of the beautiful marshlands all but transports you there. A read that offers enrichment and escapism.
