I always say that if you can find something else to do instead of eating junk food it can really help your weight loss. I find reading is great for this as I get so involved in my book that the time just flies by. these books to read instead of eating chocolate should help.
Additionally, it generally takes two hands to hold a book, so you have no way of eating rubbish too! For that reason here are some great books to help you lose weight because you are not eating chocolate! Do you read happy books, crime books, autobiographies? What are your favourites?
There are many other things you can do to stop yourself from comfort or boredom eating, check out my guide to avoiding comfort eating for more ideas. Grab some books on a budget and get reading!
Books to read instead of eating chocolate
My recommendations and those of fellow bloggers are below. Some may just be what you fancy so I have also added Amazon links so you can click to buy them straight away before temptation hits and you buy chocolate! Simply click the image to view the book on Amazon.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
This has been recommended to me as being thoroughly enjoyable, thought-provoking and a true page-turner, very different to anything she had ever read before. It sounds great so definitely something I am considering.
Playgroups and Prosecco: The (mis)adventures of a single mum by Jo Middleton
This was recommended to me as a relatable and hilarious read sharing the chaos of being a single mum. I do love a giggle so this is also tempting me!
My sister’s keeper by Jodi Picoult
This is a book I have read and also been recommended by other bloggers so definitely one to consider. It isn’t new and there has been a film made based on the story so you may have knowledge of it already.
It is beautifully written and very emotive, it could well make you cry. If you like a book that really makes you question your own morals and how you would cope with a situation then this could be the one for you.
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
I have often seen this and wondered if it would be good as the reviews for it are very mixed. It was described to me as slow to get into, but once it hooks you in it is difficult to put down.
The Women who ran away by Sheila O’Flanagan
This is a book that keeps popping into my suggestions on Amazon so I have been tempted to order it. In fact, in writing this post I have now decided this is one I am going to put on my Amazon Wishlist that I share with people struggling with what to buy me for a gift!
The Freida Klein Series from Nikki French
These were recommended to me by a blogger who says “It’s a book about a psychotherapist who becomes involved with a particularly complicated case through a client of hers. It is incredibly thought-provoking and fascinating; a real page-turner.
At times it is pretty graphic and harsh too, so not for the faint-hearted I guess.” In my opinion, they look good but I would probably buy the first book and see how I got on rather than spending on the set, how about you?
Small great things by Jodi Picoult
This is one of the only Jodi Picoult books I have not yet read so it is definitely on my radar as one to read. It was recommended to me as being very thought-provoking and sad in places. Described as unputdownable from beginning to end it sounds like my kind of book.
Circle by Madeline Miller
This book is probably not the sort I would usually choose but was recommended so maybe it is your kind of book? Based on the world of Greek myths and legends it is a well-written historic style book that is described as very gripping.
My year of saying no by Maxine Morrey
This is a book about a lady who has a new years resolution to say no to all the things she wants to and never feel guilty about it. A book that sounds like you will laugh at times feel uplifted and generally a hug in a book. This definitely sounds like a page-turner.
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
I can’t say this is a book I have seen or been recommended before but a blogger friend really does recommend it with her description. It’s a lovely combination of fantasy, philosophy, thriller and adventure set in a world very similar to ours. It’s also beautifully written with great characters and makes you want to read just one more page every time you pick it up.
A Throne of Swans by Katherine Corr
This was suggested to me by someone who says she loves books involving a lot of escapism. Her description of this book is “something in another land and a great gripping story”. Would this be something you might enjoy? Take a look and see.
Risdaverse Tales by Ruby Dixon (four novellas)
Risdaverse tales was described to me as the perfect mix of romance and sci-fi. I am really not a sci-fi fan so it wouldn’t be for me but is this something you might enjoy? She says it includes strong heroines, honourable heroes and a believable planet. It is also really humourous apparently so sounds like quite a mixture.
Seeds of love: A Tymms’ Orchard novel by Libby Gastrell
“A sweet (and steamy!) romance set in a New Zealand Orchard… a surly orchard owner falling for one of us international pickers, despite their best attempts to stop the blossoming romance!” It’s Kindle Unlimited and available to download in ebook form. If you fancy a steamy book this might be the one for you.
The Fear by C.L. Taylor
This is a book I would really recommend because it is full of twists and turns and also really gets you thinking about what you would do and how well you know the people in your life. I really could not put it down and a few other people including my mum and sister also agreed. It had me guessing until the very end about what would happen!
Rescue Me by Sue Bordley
This has been recommended to me as a heartwarming story of a woman’s recovery after tragedy and the power of female friendship. She also has a spin-off called “Sort your life out Laura Bishoprick” which is also recommended.
Baby Daze by Sarah Davis
Whilst this isn’t fiction it is described as unputdownable and includes humourous and honest poems about early motherhood. Poems are great to read and not worry so much if you get interrupted, aren’t they?
Confidently curvy and Viva voluptuous by Sarah A Clark
These books are very much chick lit with a twist and the adventures of Ellie, a curvy girl with attitude. Fun to read books that were described to me as realistic with a really likeable heroine and a plot you can relate to.
The Settlement by Ruth Kirby-Smith
I am not usually someone who likes historical fiction but this did sound like something I would be interested in. This book is a historical thriller set on the Irish border between 1910 and 1920 – a fascinating period of history that is little explored and has great relevance to the border issues now.
The Catch by T.M Logan
I bought this for my sister for her birthday and was recommended it by Joanna Victoria. I keep meaning to ask my sister what she thought. It comes from the same author as a book in the Richard and Judy recommendations so I am inclined to think it will be good. Described as an escapist thriller it is definitely my kind of book!
Found by Erin Kinsley
This is a book that for some reason just keeps coming up in my recommendations on Amazon. It is a BBC Radio 2 book club choice so should be good and is an emotional thriller about a boy who disappears and returns months later with no clue as to what has happened and why. If you like things like Broadchurch this sounds like your kind of book!
Books recommended by
The above books have been recommended by the following people. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
Vikki, Josephine, Sarah, Vikki, Emma, Jo, Helen, Lauren, Emma, Catherine, and Jade.
What books do you recommend?
Do you have any favourite books I should read? Have you read any of the books above? Do let me know in the comments as I am trying to read more, and eat less rubbish! Anything you recommend could well end up on my bookshelf before long as I love recommendations!
