8 Books to Read When You Want to Escape

There are a lot of difficult things going on in the world at the moment, and a lot of us have that feeling of needing to “escape”. Whether it’s world events or covid- a good book is a great place to escape. One of the best things about fiction is its ability to introduce us to worlds, people, and places completely new to us.

And while it’s not possible to travel, I love being able to dive into a new book and explore the world of books and stories.

Whether you love reading childhood books, or you always opt for a light romantic read- this list has some reading suggestions that are bound to keep you hooked, or make you laugh, or even help you escape into a world where nothing truly bad can ever happen.

So while things are a little difficult in the world outside, curl up inside with a great read- and briefly escape from reality with these book choices.

Below, find 8 books to read when you want to escape- and let me know your favourite reads if you’re feeling a bit down, or you need a good book to enjoy!

‘The Flat-Share’ by Beth O’Leary

This is a romantic-comedy about two roommates, and it is about finding love in an unexpected way. I’ve actually never read this book before but I’ve heard so many good things about it- and it sounds like just the right kind of fun, light read to help me escape from reality.

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‘Backpack’ by Emily Barr

Emily Barr is a brilliant author, and she writes books about realistic characters with fast-paced, gripping storylines that never fail to help me escape. ‘Backpack’ is about a young woman who goes travelling around Asia.

She wants to get away from her toxic relationship in London, and the book tells the story of her travels around Asia- chronicling the places she travels and the new friends she meets. Alongside this storyline there is a gripping “murder” mystery. I loved viewing Asia through her eyes, and I recommend this book as a light but very gripping read.

‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ by Judy Blume

I don’t know about you, but I always like to read childhood reads when I comfort read and Judy Blume really reminds me of my childhood reading habits!

I really recommend her books for honest discussions of female coming-of-age stories, sex and relationships. She’s a great author, and she stands for important ethics when it comes to censorship and openly discussing taboo subjects.

‘Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone’ by J. K. Rowling

I’m not a big fan of Harry Potter- but I know this book is a comfort read for a lot of fans- and reading this childhood book is a great way to escape into a world that couldn’t be more different to our reality.

‘Harry Potter’ also opens us up to an engaging and colourful world, and I love that many adults read this childhood book in order to relax.

‘Exciting Times’ by Naoise Dolan

I recently read this book, and I recommend it as an interesting, realistic read about romance and love. It’s one of the most unusual books about romance that I’ve read, and it really kept me hooked to the end.

It’s about ordinary characters, but the exploration of the main character’s thoughts kept me interested, and I think this is a great choice to escape into.

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‘The Bees’ by Laline Paull

I love ‘The Bees‘ by Laline Paull! It’s such a great read, all about a fictionalised tale of what happens in a hive. It’s so unusual, but I love the way Paull describes the world of bees.

If you need to escape reality, this is the perfect book to escape with. It discusses the class hierarchy of the hive, and this book creates a world that is surreal and strange.

‘One of Us is Lying’ by Karen M. McManus

I’ve heard a lot of of good things about ‘One of Us is Lying’ by Karen M. McManus- and so I really want to try it this March!

Focusing on a central mystery, this book sounds very gripping- and I love that it is from four different perspectives, which really builds the suspense. This book sounds brilliant for a thrilling read to help forget the realities of the world.

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‘To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before’ by Jenny Han

Me and my sister have recently watched all three films in this trilogy over on Netflix, and I recommend this story for a storyline that makes you feel all warm and cosy inside. I’ve not read the book yet, but this story follows Lara-Jean and Peter Kavinsky, two unlikely teens who start a cute romance.

This is the perfect, light-hearted book if you want to escape, and I love that nothing particularly bad or dark happens in this tale of first love.

What book do you read when you need to escape? Do you prefer gripping reads, or light-hearted fiction? What books do you have on your list at the moment?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x

83 thoughts

  3. I have just started The Flat Share. At the moment, it is great good. I will be adding One of Us is Lying and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before to my list. Thank you for sharing.

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  4. I loved reading the flat share it was such an escape. I also love reading the Harry Potter books but I haven’t read them in such a long time.

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  6. Aw, great list! I had this series that I adored when I was a teen but now, I can’t remember what it was but it was the most perfect escape! A lot of the books were trips during summer vacations and were romance novels. The Flat Share sounds great! I’d love to try that one. Thanks for sharing Eleanor x

    Lynn | http://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com

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  7. Lovely review. I gravitate towards murder and mysteries so it’s one of us or backpack def sounds like the two of this list that I would love to read!! Will add them on my book list 🙂

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  12. I loved The Flat Share, I read that book so quickly because it was such a lovely read. I would definitely read that book again one day. I like the sound of Backpack, that’s going on my read list!

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  14. The Flat Share has been on my TBR pile for aaaaaaages but I keep picking up other books first! And I very much like the sound of The Bees, that kind of novel is right up my street. I recently finished The Starless Sea, which was the ultimate fantasy escape!

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  16. I’ve read to all the boys I’ve loved before and I really enjoyed it. The flat share and one of us is lying have been on my TBR for a while, backpack sounds like a good book too. Great suggestions

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  17. I’ve got Jenny Han’s trilogy To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before on my reading list also Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. I turn to books too to escape the current situation around us which I hope will finally come to an end soon enough.

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  23. Love this list! I read The flatshare and loved it, such a great story and great to come out of a reading slump! One of us is lying has been on my TBR for so long, but I read The cousins from the same author and loved that! Thank you for sharing x

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  26. I think I find everything here interesting, like mostly are my kind of books hahaha ❤ I want to emphasize 'One of Us is Lying’, if I have free time I'll likely read this first! ^^,

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  30. I really need to get my hands on Flat Share, I’ve been dying to read it for so long now. Backpack also sounds like a fab adventurous book. I’d recommend How to Stop Time by Matt Haig, it’s an excellent read, one that definitely takes me away from reality x

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  34. For me, nearly every book is an escape. The type of books I read to truly escape depends on my mood at that moment but usually, it’s either fantasy or an old favorite – which also often happens to be fantasy. That being said, I always love to hear what others for an escape. I’m only familiar with a few of these books and some of those are already on my TBR. Some of these sound quite interesting so I will add them to my TBR and hope that I can get to them in a timely fashion.

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  40. I have been wavering on The Flat Share – it sounds like such an adorable story to read when you just want to escape and enjoy! I am going to have to grab it for something to read when I’m relaxing at camp this summer… I don’t read too much during the colder weather but when it warms up and I can kick back in my hammock, it’s reading time!

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  41. Thanks for these recommendations. Going to check out the Flat Share. I’m not also a fan of Harry Potter. Used to be, when I was a kid. Not sure if I am now.

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