Your 10 perfect lockdown books: Blind Date Edition

[@bohobeauty550123]

So much work was put into this and WE APPRECIATE IT

[@leenanorms]

Haha aw thank you - you can gauge how stir crazy I’m going by the style of my editing I think!

[@theHanilu]

LEENA - your content has just been *chefs kiss* recently. it has always been great, now its just even better!

[@leenanorms]

aw thank you that means a lot x

[@meghanj28]

Agreed!! She’s become my absolute favorite KZbinr in this last year 🙂🙂

[@sophiecreamer8796]

Am I a gumption club member and therefore have already watched this video AND purchased and read several books off this list? Yes. Will I watch the entire video again now that its on the main channel? Yes, yes I will.

[@leenanorms]

WE STAN A STAN

[@fatemazamanbegum7534]

how can one person be so articulate. it’s not fair

[@intellectgrime]

Hahahah “you’re just gonna leave me in this museum of confusion??” THE most quotable description of poetry anthologies.. Loved the video! Thanks Leena :)

[@katarinakidd9450]

Was just about to comment this!!! Hahaha, felt the exact same way.

[@daysleeper1989]

" the event "

[@miriambettamin6317]

For Stephen King I recommend the collection of short stories called Different Seasons! The second and the fourth one are more graphic let's say, but the first and third one are not, nothing horrific or scary! On the contrary, they are truly incredible. AND they were adapted into the movies Shawshank Redemption and Stand by me which I guess most people of have seen Alternatively The Green Mile is also really good: set in prison, talks about racism and magic abilities and the death penalty I also loved 11/22/63 which is this crazily long time travel adventure about the Kennedy Assasination Or if you want more of a mistery set in an amusement park that is somehow not so scary then I'd say Joyland

[@suziejmm]

The editing in this is brilliant leena! Going to add a few of these to my now completely unweildy and ever-growing reading list :) Also, as a little aside - I'm 25 and have moved back in with my parents during lockdown, which is a whole thing in itself to get used to (with the acknowledgement that I am v v lucky to have a loving family and a safe home), but is meaning I am spending the most time with my family since I moved out at 18. Mum said something the other day about thinking that dirty dancing was overrated, and I showed her your video on the film. She was really impressed by it and came into my room while I was working to show me a sort of 2 page page response she'd written about your video and about me moving back home and how she was feeling. We had this really cool chat about all sorts of things, somehow managing to cover my mum's 20s and abortion and cinema (she did a film masters) and being a mother and youtube and I told her how you'd written this poem addressed to an earlier Kathleen Normington in your family, wondering what she would have thought of you, and my mum just said "oh how lovely. I think she would have been so proud"

[@leenanorms]

Omg STOP this is gunna make me cry 💜

[@lexa1850]

From Stephen King I would 100% recommend Bag of bones! It’s about a writer, whose wife dies unexpectedly. He’s got the biggest writes block that I could imagine, but also he has these nightmares about their weekend house and his wife ofc. It’s...very emotional, grief from a husband’s perspective. I love King’s writing because in many cases he shows you a man’s soul in such naked ways. Those 100 pages of grief... for me who has lost a significant other, it was hard to read, but..ah,so true! Very realistic,really on point. It’s about more also, a big dark secret lays there, waiting to be uncovered. I don’t want to give out spoilers, but It’s about a lot more. It’s amazing - and not that scary.

[@claireeden8069]

I am still laughing at the sunflowers falling down. Such an unbelievably relatable moment, and the video capturing not only it falling down but your face is everything.

[@aliciamuriel5044]

My goodreads tbr list cries every time it feels a new Leena Norm's book video is going to be published. Also I screamed when you mentioned The Elegance of the Hedgehog, I love that book so much and it has a special place in my heart.

[@leenanorms]

It's so unusual and wonderful I'm so glad I found it!

[@rominagarrido7919]

You talk about books in such a passionate way that I always end up wanting to read every single one, even the ones I normally wouldn't think to try. As always, your videos are a comfort during this weird time.

[@theangrymob8231]

Okay, here me out but The Shining is so worth a read, and is definitely more sinister than out-n-out terrifying. It's got psychic kids, it's got a haunted hotel, it's got sentient hedge animals, and it's big on in-depth character analysis. Perfection!

[@dr-pq2du]

also, Safran Foer is so good and Eating Animals is worth it, it turned me vegetarian when I was still living at home in rural Texas

[@jennylomax1112]

Leena you’re singlehandedly getting me through lockdown, a thousand thankyous!

[@leenanorms]

hahah aw I'm glad it's helping, WE CAN DO THIS

[@Ohmahlanta]

"We are the Weather" is on my library's app, so I immediately downloaded the audio book :)

[@leenanorms]

Excellent work!

[@Hillary429]

Thanks for mentioning it, available from my library app too! 🤗

[@sarahkelly6024]

Love love love Stephen king and think you’d enjoy The Green Mile, not scary but v hard hitting. Carrie is one of my favourite books and 110% recommend too

[@ameliamorris3031]

my english department has a third year module called ‘Brexit and Literature’ and Ghost Wall is one of the set texts for it!! The other ones include: Autumn by Ali Smith, Middle England by Jonathan Coe, Exit West by Mohsin Hamid and The Cut by Anthony Cartwright

[@pia2902]

That module sounds super interesting! I've read Middle England and as a German I found it super interesting to get a British perspective on some fairly recent events.

[@Mimi-xi1bm]

I think we went to the same uni! I remember my housemates taking that module last year

[@shutupcharli483]

You are such a dream leena, I cannot thank you enough for the content you continue to share on this platform. Every time I watch one of your videos I come away more informed and motivated to make changes and I genuinely think I am changing as a person for the better as a result

[@funfuz]

"You're so lucky to be believing" ♥o♥

[@mouse72x]

A renting alternative to blu tack is command strips. I was sceptical at first and fearful for the deposit but they do actually work! You just have to pull them downwards when you take them off

[@ellaflood7991]

Leena, for your tapestry, try '3M Command™ Large Picture Hanging Strips'! They're magic special sticky velcro things that hold heavy things up without pins or nails or damaging your walls. Also, instead of Blu Tack, try Scotch Magic Tape, it doesn't damage walls and (as long as you peel it off gently) doesn't damage prints and things you're putting up. Trust me, those two things will change your rented accommodation life. ;)

[@elenathegreat]

I absolutely LOVE Hope in the Dark. I think I read it a year ago and it such a galvanizing read as you say haha. I love how she discusses so many social movements.

[@staciefields]

Command hooks are brilliant if you remove them properly they don’t leave a mark on the wall. If you just pull it takes the paint but if you stretch it down you can’t tell anything was there better than blue tack even. They do loads of different types of hooks and picture fixings.

[@brigidcreswell7998]

This is Day 3 of knowing this channel exists and I am so in love!!! Uplifting, relatable, funny, educational.... the list goes on!

[@chloerixson7867]

I love the tribute to 90's Saturday night telly here! And the wall hanging falling down made me chuckle because it just felt like a bit of a metaphor for life in your 20's/30's, trying to be your own person and make decisions and doing okay for the most part and then occasionally just falling flat on your face and how sometimes your pick yourself back up again straight away and it's fine, or sometimes you pick yourself up and immediately stack it again or sometimes you just CBA to get back up so you wallow in self-pity/wine and chocolate for a while before eventually resuming trying to adult. I'm just in love with this video, Leena you're amazing, thank you!!

[@Harrison_J_T]

Command hooks will sold the pins and nails issue

[@Starrysong]

On Writing is a really good book. My sister and I listened to the audiobook a few years ago. We both enjoyed it very much.

[@lorna_alice]

As a Northerner I haven't actually read Skellig which is shocking. We done Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, Roneo and Juliet and The Crucible a lot. I've just started rereading Harry Potter for the hundredth time. POA is still my favourite. Also finally got round to reading The Selection Series by Kiera Cass which had been recommended umpteen times and I kinda fell in love with it. The digestable side of dystopian and not as half as traumatic as some dystopian stuff we had to read in school.

[@ExploringthWorld]

You are the most charismatic person I've ever "met." Luv your channel soooo much.

[@ThatGeekCatty]

Love love love this video! So lovely! Just a note: the preferred phrase at the moment is 'completed' suicide rather than committed suicide. Committed is tying it back to when it was a crime and prosecuted by the church and state. Completed vs attempted is currently accepted in the mental health community.

[@clairepaley6735]

The editing blew me away, and your recommendations are always wonderful what a generous piece of art that you have gifted us with- THANK YOU

[@elina1707]

a good Stephan king book i would recommend is the long walk which he wrote with the pseudonym Richard Bachman :)

[@margaret5166]

Leena!!! As a recovering audible addict myself I want to recommend to you (and anyone else who’s interested) the subscription service scribd... I still buy the odd book on audible (for the non-subscriber price) when they don’t have it on scribd but they have MOST things, both audiobooks and e-books, and a lot that audible doesn’t have. Tbh I actually don’t know if they are any better for publishers/bookshops etc than amazon but with Jeff bezos now being a trillionaire and whatnot it feels good to no longer be subscribed to audible and other amazon stuff (mostly...... like I said I am ‘recovering’ it is a process). ALSO-it costs less each month and there is no limit on how much you can read or listen to, no credits, no paying extra for a second or third or fourth books that month..... so good. (PS I really truly thought of this bc these are great recs but I’m trying not to buy more than I have to during quarantine. Thank you for making these books known to me!!) (PPS I don’t work for scribd lmao)

[@emeline_4]

I discovered Scribd a few months ago and second this, I have about 50 audiobooks bookmarked on Scribd that I haven't had time to listen to yet 😆 Such a good catalogue

[@converse036]

After I read On Writing (also my first book by King) I read Carrie next because his description of his writing process for that book was so interesting. I absolutely loved it, and it wasn’t too scary, I think you’d enjoy it!

[@ella5452]

You should definitely start with Carrie, it's nice and short aswell compared to his later more chunkier books. I really enjoyed it and think it's a good start into King's work.lovely video, cool how you split it into categories,very useful. Cheeers Leena 🌻🙂

[@TundraBlue11]

I love Stephen King and I’d recommend picking up Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. It’s not too long, and has a good ending (not actually a given with King). Carrie is good, and Joyland is very atmospheric with some spooky elements, but no horror.

[@CharlesHeathcote]

I borrowed The Elegance of the Hedgehog from the library a decade ago, and returned it unread. In a similar fashion to you, I know that I am going to like the book when I eventually get around to reading it, but haven't yet done so. Indeed, seeing you talk about it made me think I ought to do so. I read Ghost Wall in February and found it more tense than the horror fiction I've read in the past - I think Moss captured the father character incredibly. I never planned to read Stephen King because I always worried it would be too terrifying. However, last year I read a few of his books and didn't find them fear-inducing. I started with Christine, a book about a haunted car. Either way, King has tons of books and I've yet to be completely blown away. His writing is compulsive, but it's a bit like reading a thriller with added haunting. Also, (to make this comment even longer) I want to commend your editing on this video. I am absolutely astounded at the skill and inventiveness. Thank thee for the recommendations and for the visual splendour.

[@Mrsjow]

Carrie is IMO, the best way to start King !! It's short but you already sense his writing style.

[@fionagraham4338]

First of all I have FINALLY picked up Geek Love on your recommendation and I have to say it’s bloody brilliant! Love how diverse your choice of books are, would never have discovered some of these on my own. Also would say the Green Mile is brilliant and heartbreaking and touches on race and class and a mouse called steamboat willy.

[@coldplayfan2417]

command hooks with bulldog clips. best rental tips!!!!!!!!

[@TheLadyRochester]

The Elegance of the Hedgehog is such a gem!!! I’m glad you (finally) got around to reading it :)

[@luisarombach683]

Hi Leena, I feel exactly the same about Stephen King's work, but Shawshank Redemption was a good introduction for me. It's not gruesome at all and very entertaining. As for literature dealing with Brexit, I highly recommend Amanda Craig's The Lie of the Land (also there's also a crime mystery in there) and Middle England by Jonathan Coe, which has a lot of social commentary. Thanks for the great video!

[@RunyaAikanaro]

Such a good phrase - "galvanise me"! Love it! Gonna have to start using it. 😆

[@PriscaL]

You introduced me to Mhairi McFarlane and I'm so grateful!! I've read 3 of her books so far and they're great escapism. I listened to the audiobook of If I Never Met You (great accents) and at the end I actually learned how to pronounce the author's name lol (Mhairi is said like Vari)

[@natalyaporter5730]

I bought one of her books last year which is how I discovered her - I bought “don’t you forget about me”

[@PriscaL]

@@natalyaporter5730 also a good one! I've also read who's that girl. Need to read her new one!

[@natalyaporter5730]

@@PriscaL ooh maybe I should look into her other books. I wasn’t aware she had more

[@enialb]

Just watching this gives me a similar feeling of comfort that a good book provides. Thank you for all your effort leena!!

[@cheleywilliams7438]

I recommend Stephen Kong’s Duma Key. It’s great and more suspenseful than scary.

[@eleonorebanton]

OMG, this is the best video ever! To add to your "Galvanise me!" but also "Escapee" and "Art eater" lists (it does check all the cases), I strongly recommend "Martin Eden" by Jack London. It's about class, socialism, our relationship towards culture, and the purpose of seeking beauty in life. It's also about the life of an American sailor at the end of the 19th century who falls in love with an upper middle-class girl and decides he wants to become a writer. Give it a go!

[@xxfrancesnthomasxx]

Holy mother of god I just had the biggest throwback when you said SKELLIG! What a spoopy book.

[@Linaker22]

I'm not a book person but I love listening to you talk about books. And the editing of this video was STELLAR

[@aliciaguzman3031]

I would suggest to start with The Shining.

[@miaarndt9501]

I’m sure I’m not alone in watching all categories because I want ALL of your recommendations! I read Ghost Wall right at the beginning of quarantine but I will definitely check out the audiobook because, as an American, I have no idea what the accents are supposed to sound like which makes them difficult to read. Also, re your newsletter (which I love 💕) you’ve gotten me addicted to house shopping on Zillow (the US version of Zoopla) - many, many hours well spent.

[@booksandbordercollies]

You are so good at describing We Are the Weather! You are amazing and funny!

[@carlylanning826]

I loved all the recs but the editing of this video made me laugh out loud. The hard drive tribute was ACE!

[@ErinLouisee]

Leena all your hard work is not going un noticed your editing is *chef kiss* atm! Making me want to up my editing game on my channel haha 😂 x

[@MsAprilsky]

Omg i had to read skellig in secondary school and i still get nightmares about it... hated it😂😂

[@CarolynsReadingRamblings]

Leena- I was subscribed to your channel years ago, like maybe 6 years ago now, and somehow I stopped seeing your videos and I've only watched 2 tonight but they were enough for me to be like "how did that happen? I have been missing so much not seeing these!". You are a joy 😀. I have a dilemma- I have audio access to Elegance of the Hedgehog just for this month but I've been deeply depressed this week and remember people telling me it was depressing when I bought the physical copy, so I thought that I shouldn't read it right now but after you talked about here I'm thinking maybe I should? Amazing video and I am now subbed to your channel again thank goodness lol😀❤️.

[@leahgray4338]

I am completely adoring your videos at the moment! As someone who is devouring books during lock down too, they are brilliant! Thank you for making them! 🥰

[@PageswithPaige]

Added Set Me On Fire to my wishlist straight away! That sounds absolutely wonderful!! Argh I want all of these now! Also Skellig! Need that for Believathon III in November. Also movers tip you've probably heard; command hooks + stationary bull clips = no damage to your wall/tapestry and the tapestries stay if your command hooks are strong enough to hold it. I hung my tapestry 2 weeks ago and love it! Was hilarious and also heart breaking seeing you try and fix it.

[@Bean_Box_Knitting]

Absolutely loving this - got a couple or new downloads now. Thank you!

[@SophieCS94]

Thank you for being our very own virtual Cilla Black! Brilliant video! Soooo need some new books to read :D P.S. Totally unrelated to books. Just admiring the sunflowers in the background. Who is the Van Gogh fan in the household?

[@nathpollen]

I tried reading The Uninhabitable Earth after you mentioned it in a video.... and I couldn't get past the introduction because it made me feel so hopeless. It was honestly a relief to hear that you had similar difficulties with it and I'll definitely be checking out We Are the Weather! Thanks for so many wonderful book recommendations, I'm pretty sure 90% of the books that I read come from your videos :)

[@nursemain3174]

Carrie and firestarter u should try and the green mile. I think you’d like them

[@sarahsummers207]

Wow. When i was a child in primary school, we went on a school trip (I’m from Durham) somewhere I don’t remember and met an author. For years I’ve never remembered who he was or what book it was. I remember getting his book signed and also weird snippets of the event like him explaining to us he was balding because he would scratch his head a lot when thinking 😅. As soon as you said SKELLIG I knew that was it! I googled the cover I had, and a photo of David Almond. Omgosh! Mind. Blown.

[@sarahsummers207]

I also weirdly remember something about a blue bottle fly 🧐

[@yvonnebouwhuis9419]

i have been meaning to pick up the Elegance of the hedgehog for years. i pick it up all the the time and it put it back down. maybe ill give it another shot. i think ill wait till this passes though. i haven't been able to read during lockdown unless i am reading subtitles on Kdramas.

[@wanderingoff13]

1. Steven King grew up down the street from my parents' house! 2. Leeeeeeeena I think you just convinced me to read We Are the Weather and I'm not, like, thrilllllled about it (see: your reaction to Eating Animals). 3. That poetry anthology sounds brilliant

[@alisonjane7068]

i read the overstory earlier on in the year, off your recommendation, and i really enjoyed it. i can honestly say that i've never read anything like it, and, while i already liked trees a lot, i've become a bit obsessed with them now. i'm currently reading empires of the word: a language history of the world by nicholas ostler (soooooo interesting!) and sentimental education by flaubert (not as good as i thought it would be but i like it).

[@aprilmakepeace8388]

The format of this video is great! Something for everyone. I am buying books left and right and I'm always looking for a good, engrossing read. Thank you for sharing.

[@thebugbear]

blue tack is useless and a lot of the others damage the walls. I was basically pulling my hair out until I found those slightly longer rectangular glue thingies. They come in pairs and have velcro in between. The important part is that they have a little flap on the short side, which you pull on when you want to get them off the wall. They work! Anyway, very much looking forward to reading several of these! I'm mostly in the escape category but I like variety so I watched all of the recommendations.

[@Hillary429]

I think “those slightly longer rectangular glue thingies” are Command Strips 😂 💕

[@Hillary429]

Another quick audiobook I stumbled upon in my library app: My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Brathwaite.. only 4 hours but the narrator’s silky Nigerian accent is a real pleasure to listen to

[@judybrown1624]

I just bought Set Me on Fire. I am still in disbelief. I RARELY willingly read poetry. You are such an influencer 😲

[@AprilRyan1985]

Thank you for the video and the book selection 👍

[@AshleyZieman]

Hi, I'm new here and I just wanted to say how intrigued I am by your videos, ideas and I am loving your content. Sharing your videos with my gal group because we need you and your vibe in our life, your brilliant love ♥️

[@itchystitchy]

The Elegance of the Hedgehog is on my TBR. They made a French film adaptation of it if you're interested--The Hedgehog--heartwarming.

[@BishyFiveSogafi]

i cant explain how much i love the editing of this video

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

😂🤣thank you for make by me laugh for the 1st time this week ( when your wall hanging fell down) 📚👋☘️

[@hlmorfei]

So, SK’s Dark Tower series is much more fantasy than horror. There are some scary elements, but it is definitely not typical SK on the horror scale. It is my all-time favorite series, and I highly recommend it.

[@katherinebruten3996]

Hey would love to hear your views on books and consumerism / collecting books - would you consider making a video on that subject?

[@carolinevervloet9345]

If you loved the Elegance of the Hedgehog, I think you'd like Hunting & Gathering, from Anna Gavalda, another French author :)

[@Clarisseinthesky]

What a first class video, thank you Leena for making me laugh and providing top notch book recs as always ❤️

[@Cecsilthepenguin]

This video has everything. Thank you. Also recommend the Penguin Lessons- so joyful and easy and heartbreaking

[@Anne_fka_XATM038x]

aaaaaa this is amazing!!! I just picked up Rebecca Solnit's memoir but I definitely have to read that hope book as well it sounds like just the thing to read for an ongoing full-life crisis. The Jonathan Safran Foer book as well, very interesting to read about this idea of belief and action being interconnected, (also when you connect that to the concept of gaslighting and overall the way news and knowledge and power are connected, I love foucault ok) thank you so so much

[@ShivangiBhasin]

Adulternants sounds very much in the vein of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, a book that has my heart

[@monarie7856]

Such an amazing video, editing, content and all. Thanks so much! I read "We are the weather" last Christmas and ate it up (...). I can recommend Jonathan Franzen's essay "What if we stopped pretending" to follow with, though that's a bit more depressing, I must say.

[@emma.greenwood]

Amazing fabulous video - loved this and really appreciating your content over the last few months!! It's awesome!! Funny you mentioned Skellig, it popped into my head yesterday after years of not thinking about it, and now here you mention it! Weird!

[@DrinkingByMyShelf]

Oh nooooo I had a hard drive die on me over Christmas too and it was the MOST heart breaking thing. Your sad montage hit me right in the feels.

[@leenanorms]

Aw no Emma! We're in a very specific heartbreak club, I feel you x

[@annab1422]

This was great! Loved that it catered to different needs, thanks for that

[@leenanorms]

No problemo, glad you enjoyed 🥰

[@late-start-vlogs]

So I've been reading "The Happiness Equation" by Neil Pasricha and also some of "Body Positive Power" by Megan Crabbe Doyle and a splice of financial advice from "the FInancial Diet" book by Chelsea Fagan and Lauren Ver Hage and also "Broke Millennial" by Erin Lowry. if that seems like a lot just know I read them each by individual chapter. so a chapter one day, a chapter another day.

[@nayyira2108]

AMAZING! thank you leena for this!!! as for stephen king recs, DIFFERENT SEASONS, stephen king is so good with short stories, and these four short stories have nothing paranormal or horror-y in them (except for the winter short story, it's a bit uhhh stephen king) and they're so nice!!! definitely one of my faves by him

[@KaraDouglasX]

I loved and needed this video!! If you enjoy the hunger games I’d definitely recommend Stephen Kings the long walk!!

[@alisonjane7068]

oh god, that book! i read the long walk when i was about 12, and it destroyed me. i cried (sobbed) for at least 20 minutes when i finished it.

[@mc63404]

Thank you for the video! I really enjoyed all of the recommendations. I feel pretty much the exact same way about Stephen King - would love to read one day but am just too wary at this point. I also really liked your point about 'We Are the Weather' and believing and knowledge. And I just finished 'If I Never Met You' - so good!!

[@sea_turtleee]

The editing made me giggle several times, thank you Leena!

[@MrToadRocks]

11.22.63 by Stephen King is one (perhaps his only?) non-horror novel and it’s beautiful! A high school teacher goes back in time to the 60s to prevent the John Kennedy assassination. There’s romance and humour and school plays and solving a crime he knows is going to be committed. It is a amazing. I cried at the end because I felt such a deep connection to the characters and I was sad the book was over!

[@vallentinac9513]

This video is so precious and I ABSOLUTELY love the way you talked about We Are The Weather!!

[@hauntedburgerplant]

You suggested The Elegance of the Hedgehog when I asked for recommendations to take to my work book club and the group chose it! We start reading it Monday. :)

[@TheGirlWonder23]

I just discovered your videos 2 weeks ago and I'm hooked. I've loved each video

[@user-hg7vr6uy3b]

I'm in the middle of reading The Institute by Stephen King. My first King novel which before reading, I had expected to give me the heeby geebys but it's actually quite the page turner.

[@soapyporridge]

Started on audiobooks at the start of the year as per your recommendation and, weird coincidence, I borrowed Ghost Wall just before I watched this! Also, my first Stephen King was Carrie and although it's been a couple of years since it sticks in my brain as good!?

[@linamekawatches214]

I'm also super easily scared, but I ADORE The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, The Colorado Kid, and Joyland! Especially Tom Gordon!

[@PollyChedgzoy]

Ahh so excited that you mentioned Skellig, was one of the big books of my childhood (have pitched Max Porter to many people as David Almond for grown ups). If you fancy more, My Name is Mina is the prequel and absolutely and completely delicious