We’re all guilty of watching some TV before bed, or doing one last scroll of social media before hitting the hay. But the light from our screens can interfere with our inner body clock - our circadian rhythms - and affect the quality of our sleep.
Swapping out your phone for a great book is guaranteed to not only boost your sleep quality, but introduce you to some awesome storytellers and memorable characters.
Here are some of our recommendations:
1. Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
A book club darling, Eleanor Oliphant is the debut novel of former university administrator Gail Honeyman.
Titular character Eleanor is set in her ways, and lives a modest but lonely life working a perfectly normal desk job. But after a chance encounter with a co-worker and an elderly gentleman, the three isolated individuals become the most unlikely of friends.
A movie by Reese Witherspoon’s production company is in the works, so get a head start and pick up the original novel for a feel-good read this summer.
2. The Woman in the Window by A J Finn
If you loved Gone Girl or The Woman on the Train, we have your next favourite book right here!
Following the same mystery-with-an-unreliable-narrator structure as those books, The Woman in the Window tells the story of Anna Fox, a woman too afraid to leave her house for the past ten months. Instead, she sits at her window and watches the world outside - an innocent enough habit until the new neighbours move in.
One night, Anna hears a scream and sees something terrible happen - but as she struggles to uncover the truth, will anyone believe her? And does she even believe herself? Read this one with the lights on!
3. Becoming by Michelle Obama
Setting a record sales week of 1.4 million copies in its first week of release, the former First Lady’s memoir has proven Michelle Obama to be just as compelling as her husband. Detailing her journey from the South Side of Chicago all the way to the highest office in the United States, Michelle’s memoir tells her story in her own words for the first time.
Prepare to be super inspired by Michelle’s revelatory and personal storytelling style.
4. Photos of You by Tammy Robinson
Local author Tammy Robinson has just scored a U.S. publishing deal for her novel, a romance in the vein of Me Before You and The Fault In Our Stars.
When she turns 28, Ava Green is given the devastating news that her cancer has returned. This birthday will be her last. So she resolves to have her dream wedding before it’s too late - despite not having a groom, much money or much time. As her story spreads and a handsome photographer shows up to document the process, Ava is forced to rethink her plans - does she have the strength to let love in… and to say goodbye?
Keep the tissues nearby to make it through this one!