Books For… When You Have the Day Off!

For many of my Canadian and American readers, Monday, 20 February is a day off! And for anyone that it isn’t, today is still Sunday and a day off for most. Sure, Netflix is always there for a good binge but it’s time to step away from Netflix and grab a book. While I love digging into a lengthy and winding book, sometimes I prefer a book that I can dive into for the day to escape and finish my journey before I have to head back to the real world. I think that each of these could be read in a quiet day (or less)  and will keep you reading! 

The Uncommon Reader, Alan Bennett
This will certainly not take a full day as it’s a fast novella, but it’s sweet and entertaining and a kind of clever that is rarely seen nowadays. Her Majesty the Queen comes upon a mobile library, and quickly discovers a new love of literature! Although arguably HM has a most extraordinary life, Bennett masterfully shows that anyone, no matter who they are, can be changed by literature.


Let’s Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir, Jenny Lawson
I cannot sing the praises of this enough- this book will make you snort your tea, laugh out loud, and probably embarass yourself out of hilarity. Jenny recounts much of her childhood and adolescence in Wall, Texas, and adulthood with her husband, Victor. If you haven’t read about a teenage goth getting her arm stuck in a cow’s vagina, I don’t know that you have lived. Jenny is incredibly relate-able, and has an incredible way with words! If you are in the mood for it, or have things to do on your day off, you could also snag the audiobook version- it’s 13 hours long, but by my thinking, that’s essentially an entire day off…

The Runaway Princess, Hester Browne
I’ve written time and time again about my love of chick-lit- it’s wonderful for escapism, and a break from everything we deal with on a daily basis. Amy meets Leo, who turns out to be a prince of a small European country, and has to deal with everything that comes along with it. Hester is one of my favourite authors; she can take a fantastical story and ground it in reality to make it believable. The Royal We is entertaining but can be a little odd when you recognise that it is a William and Catherine fan fiction- this is distanced from real people but still an adventure!

Rivers of London, Ben Aaronovitch
I know that people are often divided on fantasy books, they either seem to love them or hate them. Often set in far off times and places, they can be difficult to relate to. Enter the urban fantasy genre! Peter Grant is a shiny, brand new constable with the Met police force in London who happens to have a talent for magic. He joins Inspector Nightingale investigating a supernatural case that is woven into the fabric of London. If you have ever visited London, or even thought about it, this book will grab you immediately. The magic plays a large role without feeling incredibly made up, it’s a natural world built up that surrounds you and makes you want to keep reading!
So, dear reader, what are you planning on doing with your day off?
Until tomorrow,
The Historian!