Book Reccos X Joanie Book Club: National Book Lovers Day Reccos

We’re Jess & Lauren, the best friends behind @bookreccos, the Instagram and podcast where we provide reading recommendations (or reccos!), and we’ve teamed up with Joanie to keep you all well-read and well-dressed.

This month, we’re bringing you a book by one of our favourite writers - fitting for National Book Lovers Day! Poorna Bell is an award-winning journalist and author who specialises in women’s issues, diversity, fitness, and mental health. She’s written three incredible non-fiction books, and her debut novel, 'In Case of Emergency,' was published last month and is an absolute must-read! 

Bel Kumar wakes up in hospital surprised and confused. Surprised to be told she had a near-fatal accident outside work. And confused as to why her ex-boyfriend is by her bedside.

Bel's HR record still lists her ex as her next of kin, but she can't think of a less appropriate person to nurse her back to health.

But who can she turn to in a crisis? Over-invested parents? A sister whose life has turned out perfectly? Friends she exchanges dating woes with over cocktails?

If this experience has taught Bel anything, it's that she should reconnect with the most important people from her past. But that's going to be easier said than done because Bel has never been good at asking for help.

And she's doing just fine on her own... Isn't she?

It’s incredibly readable, making it perfect for any August holidays, but also touches on some really important themes, including mental health, racism and the difficulty of relationships with immigrant parents. 

If you whizz through this book - and it’s highly likely that you will - then why not listen to our Podcast episode where we interviewed her on her book Stronger. She’s now a competitive amateur powerlifter, and she explores the topic of women’s strength and fitness in this book - and understanding the capabilities of her body was both so eye-opening and empowering. 

You can listen on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

More National Book Lovers Day Reading Reccos

As we’re celebrating National Book Lovers Day, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to leave you with a few more book reccos across a range of genres. Each book is linked to a platform where you can buy the books online from indie bookshops, so don’t forget to click on those and support a small business!

For fiction, you’ll want to read anything by Taylor Jenkins-Reid...

The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows the story of a glamorous movie star’s life through the '60s.

Malibu Rising tells the story of a group of siblings who had a difficult childhood that only brought them closer, but of course there is still drama!

If you’re looking for a thrill, then check out Dorothy Koomson’s books…

In The Rose Petal Beach, we see what happens when a woman’s husband is accused of sexually assaulting one of her best friends.

The Brighton Mermaid is a fast paced and thrilling novel about two teens who find a body of a young women washed up on the beach!

If you want more non-fiction, then we love Candice Brathwaite’s books…

I Am Not Your Baby Mother is part memoir, part manifesto about the black experience of motherhood.

For crime, we love Janice Hallet’s creative approach…

The Appeal is told through emails between an amateur dramatics group where the reader must play detective to read between the lines and solve the case!

The Twyford Code is told through transcriptions of voice notes as the characters try to solve a murder from forty years ago.

Don’t forget to check out our Instagram and website for more reccos!

www.bookreccos.com