The CBII Book Club: The best books to read during lockdown and why

Our team share their favourite quarantine reads

According to a study by cognitive neuropsychologist, Dr. David Lewis, reading for just six minutes a day has been proven to reduce stress by 68%. That’s pretty impressive. However, reading requires you to switch off which is something a lot of us struggle to do. But that doesn’t mean it’s not important. In fact, it means it’s more important than ever.

There are many benefits to reading during lockdown. Not only is it a great stress-reliever but it’s also great for improving the vocabulary. Read for just 20 minutes a day and you’ll get through 1,800,000 words a year. Reading also contributes to normal cognitive development and helps to prevent cognitive decline. Interestingly, as reading involves imagining ourselves in the narrator’s shoes, it builds our emotional intelligence and makes us more empathetic.

Searching for a good book to read during lockdown? The team at CBII and Health & Happiness Group share their favourites:

Blood Orange follows a young attorney as she investigates her first murder case. It's a gripping read! (Murder Mystery). 

Recommended by Helen, E-Commerce Manager

All the Light We Cannot See is a hauntingly beautiful story of a blind French girl and a German boy who meet during World War II. (Historical Fiction)

Recommended by Holly, Senior Account Manager

Everything I know about Love is an oh-so-relatable story about adulthood, love and heartbreak. (Humour/Biography)

Recommended by Alicja, E-Commerce Manager

The Heart's Invisible Furies is an epic tale of one man’s life, filled with humour, heart and pivotal events from Irish history. (Novel)

Recommended by Romina, Senior Digital Producer

The secret diaries of a junior doctor – a great read to get a real sense of appreciation for our NHS, not just during times like this but always. (Medical Autobiography)

Recommended by Holly, Senior Account Manager

Red Notice is a true story of high finance, murder, and one man's fight for justice. (Biography)

Recommended by Libby, Regional Business Director

The Flatshare is a tale of two people who live in the same flat and share a bed but have never met. (Romantic Comedy)

Recommended by Helen, E-Commerce Manager

Sapiens is a fascinating read about everything from evolution to religion and science. (Non-fiction)

Recommended by Lauren, Content & Community Manager

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck is a great book to read during lockdown to put the things that take up space in your head into perspective. (Self Help)

Recommended by Lauren, Content & Community Manager

I am Pilgrim is a thrilling action-packed page-turner about crime, terrorism, suspense and spies that tells the tale of an American secret agent and a fearless jihadi terrorist. (Spy Fiction)

Recommended by Phoebe, Marketing Manager

Historian Charles Spencer explores a pivotal event in British history when parliament chose to execute the King of England in Killers of the King.  The king’s son, Charles II seeks retribution for his father’s death. (Biography)

Recommended by Libby, Regional Business Director

• Girl, Women, Other by Bernardine Evaristo (Domestic Fiction)
• Three Women by Lisa Taddeo (Fiction)
• The Unbearable Likeness of Being by Milan Kundera (Romance Novel)
• 1984 by George Orwell (Science Fiction)
• Two Sisters: A Father, His Daughters, and Their Journey Into the Syrian Jihad by Åsne Seierstad (Biography)
• The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov (Romance, Fantasy)
• Normal People by Sally Rooney (Novel)
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Fantasy, Fiction)
• The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer (Novel, Fiction)
• Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney (Novel, Fiction)
• Do Not Say We Have Nothing by Madeleine Thien (Historical Fiction)
• A God in Ruins by Kate Atkinson (Historical Fiction)
• American Marriage by Tayari Jones (Domestic Fiction)
• Educated by Tara Westover (Memoir)
• A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara Domestic Fiction)
• The Truth Behind the Harry Quebert Affair by Joël Dicker (Crime Thriller)
• The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris (Historical Fiction)
• The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony (Non-Fiction)

Don’t have time to read during lockdown? Audio books and podcasts are a great way to include stories as part of your everyday routine – while you’re working on admin or cleaning the house. If you haven’t used it before, now is a great time to tap into Audible's 30-day free trial that includes two free audio books and access to thousands of podcasts.

It’s also a great way to keep the kids occupied and off the screens so you get some free time - Audible is offering free access to kids’ stories during the school shutdown.

What's on your lockdown reading list? Share your favourites with us on Instagram to unlock an exclusive #quarantineroutine discount code!