The books I’ve recently read and loved to distract me from another Canberra winter
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I love Canberra. But as soon as that first frost hits my car, my motivation to leave the house plummets and I’ve embraced full hermit mode.
Think hot cuppa in hand, my favourite hoodie on, and a dog on my lap as I plough through the pile of books on my bedside table for the foreseeable future.
If you’re also leaning into cosy season and need some reading inspo, here’s what’s been keeping me company lately (and why you should add them to your list).
Famesick by Lena Dunham
I’ll be honest, I picked this up purely in the hopes of behind-the-scenes gossip from Lena Dunham, and it did not disappoint. This memoir was raw, funny, and occasionally uncomfortable in that signature Dunham way. She writes about fame, illness, relationships, and her complicated relationship with her own body and identity.
Although Dunham can be polarising – she is undeniably brilliant.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
If you want to be completely transported to another world while the wind howls outside, this is your book. The Night Circus is pure atmospheric magic, a mysterious circus that appears without warning, a decades-long competition between two young magicians bound by forces beyond their control, and romance that unfolds in the most enchanting way possible.
This book is perfect for when you have nowhere to be and a whole afternoon to lose yourself in something beautiful.
The Portrait by Danielle Steel
Danielle Steel’s books are the rom-coms of the book world. The Portrait follows Gwyneth, a successful art gallery owner whose life is upended when she discovers a mysterious portrait from her past. It’s a very easy read, and my paperback has a large font, which I always love (makes me feel like I’m reading quicker). This is the literary equivalent of comfort food; it’s familiar and satisfying – exactly what you need when the world outside is cold and uninviting.
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
Liane Moriarty has done it again. Here One Moment starts with a seemingly ordinary domestic flight, until a woman stands up and begins predicting the age and cause of death for each passenger. What follows is a beautiful exploration of fate, free will, and how we live when we think we know how it all ends.
101 Essays That Will Change the Way You Think by Brianna Wiest
This book of essays tackles everything from self-sabotage to relationships to why we stay stuck in patterns that don’t serve us. I found myself dog-earing pages and texting quotes to friends. It’s the kind of book you can dip in and out of, read one essay, sit with it, come back later.
Perfect for when your attention span is scattered but you still want to feel like you’re growing as a person.
A Rose for the ANZAC Boys by Jackie French (A comfort re-read)
Sometimes you just need to revisit an old favorite, and A Rose for the ANZAC Boys is mine. I’ve read this book more times than I can count. Jackie French’s historical fiction about four young people whose lives intersect during WWI is heartbreaking, beautifully written, and a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. In true Jackie French style, it’s easy to read and gave me all the feels.
Have your tissues ready.
Feature image: Paperchain Bookstore. Credit: Pew Pew Studio.
