5 books to escape to after a crazy shift

with Hospitality Life UK

We all need a little down time every now and then, to take a moment to step back when work and life get hectic and overwhelming. With venues across the UK reopening this week for service and the population desperate to socialise and get a round in, hospitality staff are preparing for an onslaught and will definitely be in need of a little relaxation and escapism! The wonderful folk over at Hospitality Life UK have asked me to put together a short list of books that are guaranteed to take your mind off the crazy fourteen hour shift you just pulled, help you wind down, get you thinking or maybe even transport you to somewhere new. So find a cosy corner, curl up with one of these books and give yourself some well deserved 'me-time'.

1. The Midnight Library - Matt Haig

Mental health and wellbeing is a huge focus at the moment within the hospitality industry and this novel by bestselling author Matt Haig has those things at it's centre.

When Nora Seed finds herself in The Midnight Library, a place in between life and death, she is given an opportunity to change her biggest regrets and live better. A chance to see what her life would be like if she had made different decisions. But how do you know what will make you happy, and what is the best way to live?

*Trigger Warning* Haig tackles some dark themes in this novel including addiction, alcoholism and suicide but the overwhelming takeaway is a message of hope. It is so easy to lose yourself in this book, to find a calmness and to feel inspired and uplifted. This novel is perfect for anyone in need of a little peace.

2. The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hugo - Stuart Turton

This novel is an all-round crowd pleaser! Turton's debut is an amalgamation of so many genres: historical, crime, thriller, sci-fi and it is delivered flawlessly!

Blackheath is a crumbling estate, full of secrets and unsavoury characters who have all been invited for a mysterious masquerade ball. At 11pm Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered. She has died before and she will die again. Aiden Bishop is doomed to relive this day again and again unless he can solve the mystery of who killed her, but each new dawn he wakes up in the body of a different guest making his momentous task even harder. On top of this there is someone desperate to see him fail, and they will do anything to stop him leaving.

A who-dunnit like nothing you've ever read before this novel will keep you guessing until you turn the very last page. Turton's spectacular cast of misfits and his sinister cat and mouse chase make this utterly unputdownable and completely mind blowing! I can promise that fussy guests and busy venues will be the furthest thing from your mind when you settle down with this book.

3. Little Scratch - Rebecca Watson

Little Scratch is an experimental and daring debut novel by newcomer Rebecca Watson, ideal for those looking for something a bit more unorthodox, thought-provoking and challenging that requires a quiet room and peaceful surroundings (exactly what you need after a busy shift).

*Trigger Warning* It follows an unnamed woman as she navigates the minutiae of a perfectly ordinary day in the aftermath of sexual trauma, doing her best to cope while her mind is muddled and her thoughts fly erratically. Through unconventional formatting Watson brilliantly isolates the external experience and the internal consciousness that come together to form everyday life, to emphasize the protagonist's struggle and distress. Its innovative structure and compelling narrative make this a powerful and unique work of fiction that is heart-breaking yet defiant. It isn't an easy read, but well worth it.

4. City of Girls - Elizabeth Gilbert

This novel will whisk you away to the glitz and glamour of 1940s New York, and keep you enthralled with its unabashed hedonism and shameless selfishness.

In 1940, 19 year old Vivian Morris is floundering through life, but when she moves to New York to live with her theatre aficionado Aunt she discovers her own personal paradise of drama, nightlife, alcohol and most importantly sex. Vivian befriends showgirl Celia and together they paint the town red, seeking out danger and trouble along the way. But when you live life fast eventually you're bound to crash. One night and one decision can change everything, but as she reels and recovers Vivian learns who she truly is and what is most important to her.

'City of Girls' is a captivating and immersive read about self-discovery, self-love and self-worth. It is about living life the way you want to and knowing what really makes you happy. Gilbert will transport you to the streets of Manhattan and you will feel her character's highs and lows as keenly as if they were your own, your own life a distant memory!

5. Go Figure - Tom Standage

Now not everyone is a fiction fan, so if you prefer to get the gears turning in your brain and are constantly looking to expand your knowledge, this is a great book for you. With the tag line: 'Things you didn't know you didn't know' you're bound to learn something new! Published by the informed people at The Economist this book concisely answers the questions you've quietly wondered about and the ones you've never even considered. Perfect for those with a curious disposition, dive in to a world of information that covers everything from 'Why pigs are so important to China' to 'Why people like pizza in hard times' and even' The seasonality and distribution of New York's dog poo'. (No, I'm not kidding!) This encyclopaedia of curiosa is sure to divert your attention from the stress of work and maybe even give you some truly bizarre facts to impress your co-workers during your next shift!

One of the things I love most about reading is the escapism, putting the stress and worries of your own life on hold to jump into a world that someone else has created. I hope in this list I have included something that appeals to all types of readers, and that in these books you too can take a break and find solace from the long shifts, difficult customers and sore feet!

H x