Quarantine Reading

It was mid-March India went into quarantine and you know what? I was ready to grab this lockdown by its horns and finally try to read the endless books that have been sitting on my shelves and in my Kindle. 

I. Was. Ready.

Two days into the lockdown, I was hit with a massive book slump. My "quarantine binge list" went out the window as I was physically unable to pick up a book. 

I spoke to a few friends in the community and unlike me, they all were reading like it was going out of style. Their Goodreads Reading Challenge numbers were going up while I was cutting down from 80 to 50 books. 

Rereading my favourites were a bust and picking a brand new book was out of the question, so I gave myself the much-needed time.

A little over one and a half months later I picked up a book that light, easy and fun. Far away from the emotionally charged romance that I usually go for. 

It was one book, then another and then another and before I knew it was back into the fame and enjoying every book I was picking.

So, to ease away from the heavy and bring more of the feel-good, laugh-out-loud romances, here are my 7 favourite picks! 

1. The Allure of Julian Lefray by R.S. Grey

I picked up The Allure of Julian Lefray when I was enjoying a fairly new-to-me author but Romantic Comedy as one complete genre all the while trying to overcome my first-ever book slump. 

I loved the banter and flirting between our leads Jo and Julian. The two together were hilariously perfect for each other. 

This book also had me doing something for the very first and as of now, only one time and that is highlighting an entire chapter. The story is easy, quick, contains one of my favourite characterizations done by R.S. Grey and lots of fun. 

If you are looking for a book that is angst and drama free with endearing main characters and engaging side characters, this one should definitely be on your TBR.

2. The Locker Room by Meghan Quinn

Meghan Quinn is one of the best indie Romantic Comedy authors out there. Her stories are not only well-plotted but also have the right amount of angst (not the punch-you-in-the-gut-and-cry) and emotions. 

Chemistry is a high-factor in any book in the Romance genre but in Romantic Comedies, you simply cannot rely on that one thing. What you need is an interaction between the leads that keeps you on your toes and has you laughing your butt off. Meghan Quinn? She delivers both of these and then some every book that I've read so far. 

The Locker Room, for me, was the complete package. Sure, there was a thing or two that I wasn't a huge fan of but overall it made me smile, laugh on numerous occasions and root for the leads. 

3. Remember When Trilogy by T.Torrest

Ah! This trilogy! <heart eyes> Now, this is an exception to every rule I've made in regards to coming out of a book slump. This trilogy is possibly the only series that I can recommend to anybody and not go wrong. I know! 

I know you're thinking "Rohina, this is a very tall claim" but guess what? I have yet to encounter someone to whom I've recommended this book and they said they didn't like it. 

Set in 1991, Remember When transports you back in the time of scrunchies, video stores, perms and love letters. Each chapter is named after a film from the 80s and the narrative as a whole is an ode to that era with a few subtle nods to Shakespeare. 

One of my favourite things about the story is the characters. They are real, relatable and memorable. This story is an ode to first love and navigating that through the high school years and second chances.

Trip and Layla's love story spans three decades (three books). Book 1 is all about young love, Book 2 is about their passion for each other, the people in their life and their craft. Book 3 concludes with second chances at first love, commitment and compromise. 

T.Torrest has managed to create a trilogy that has been a top favourite since 2014 and honestly, I don't see this see coming out of that category ever. 

4. The Wedding Photographer by Sakshama Puri Dhariwal

Do you have a book that you've read multiple times but still can't seem to get enough of it? Sakshama Puri Dhariwal's The Wedding Photographer is that book for me. 

I was given this book as a "reward" by Penguin Random House, India after I interned with them (Major life moment?) but before that, I was given this book to get a feel of the India Metropolitan Reads that PRH publishes. Best. Decision. Ever. 

You want to experience the Big Fat Indian Wedding that includes all the pomp and circus? I can't recommend a better book for you. Quite the quintessential Romantic Comedy, this is your cliched Bollywood movie, without all the angst, in a book and it is so much fun! 

The writing is simple and flowing and the dialogues are a mix of English and Punjabi adding more to the fun factor. The characters are real. Like, I know a few people from my family and friends that resemble these characters. 

Light-hearted and fun this book was exactly what I look for when I need a little pick-me-up. 

PS. Drunk Nani, her way of talking and her wild escapades for the win! 

5. A Place in the Sun by R.S. Grey

Set in the seaside village of Vernazza, Italy, A Place in the Sun painted a picture so stunning in my head that I was ready to pack my bags and move there. The setting is fabulous! 

The story is just happy and light and full of sunshine and I adored reading every single minute of it.

The writing is fresh and detailed where it needed to be allowing my vivid imagination to run wild. The characters are amazing and easy-going and R.S. Grey did a fantastic job of making me fall in love with the story. 

6. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch

I guess I'm not doing anyone favours by recommending two books back-to-back that are set in Italy. Sorry! 

Love & Gelato is a captivating Young Adult Romance set in Tuscany. Delving into a vivid description of Italy — the food, the culture, the history, the people and places, Jenna Evans Welch created an atmosphere that I was not ready to leave. 

The plot is simple yet gripping and unnecessary complications have no place here as it tackles topics such as family, regrets, secrets, hopes and love. 

The leads are wonderful and their adventures are exciting. The book has an airy feel to it while hitting some serious topics that are usually dealt in YA. 

One thing I've learned from this book is that anything can happen over a tub of gelato. 

PS. This book will leave you a crazy yearning for gelato! 

7. There's Something About Sweetie by Sandhya Menon

Sandhya Menon has been an instant favourite since she released her debut When Dimple Met Rishi so it was a no brainer that I would pick the second book that was set in the same setting. 

There's Something About Sweetie is relatable on many levels. The constant body shaming, the rules and regulations, the arrange marriage scheme that is still very prevalent today, make for your everyday Indian family. 

There is "Desi-ness" to this series that is authentic and you get to experience the Indian immigrant families and how they are all about staying true to your old family roots and traditions. It's a part of their everyday lives and you as outsider gets to experience it second-hand. 

If you pick any book that is set in this universe then get ready for some major Bollywood movie references, active parents and their involvement in their kids' life but most importantly their arcs and the character growth of both the leads. 

The Desi rep is hard in Menon's stories and the want for the second-generation immigrant kids to be modern while still loving the traditional roots. 

That was a pretty long post but have you read any of the books listed? If yes, which one and if no, which books made it to your TBR!