5 Must-Read Books for Quarantine
Tired of reading dreary news article after article about the coronavirus? Here are 5 books to revitalize your imagination and add color to your life.
Before quarantine started, we all had a million balls to juggle: school/work, extracurricular activities, social obligations… The list is endless. Now, especially with summer approaching, our schedules are much more open. With all this time on your hands, you can choose to bake yet another batch of bread, rewatch The Office, or maybe… crack open a good book.
Here are five books that I’ve enjoyed during this quarantine, and hopefully, that you will enjoy, too!
- The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clementine Wamariya and Elizabeth Well
With seamless storytelling and a compelling voice, Clementine Wamariya details her experiences fleeing the Rwandan massacre, living in countless refugee camps, and her life in America. Throughout these horrific experiences, Wamariya and her sister survived through sheer determination and a strong will to live. Wamariya’s story is truly inspiring and helped put my everyday struggles into perspective.
2. Dry by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
In the midst of a devastating drought, California suddenly turns into a dystopian society, straight from the movies. Alyssa and her brother are left to fend for themselves when their parents don’t return from collecting water. Dry draws us into dystopian California as Alyssa, along with a few other teens, fight to survive in this unusual world.
This book becomes much more thought provoking when you realize how much it parallels today’s situation. While people in Dry fought to get the last few bottles of water, people in real world America urgently stockpiled toilet paper when lockdown first started. Dry is a cautionary tale of the extreme society our world could soon look like.
3. Project You by Aubre Andrus
Filled with actionable tips on how to maximize wellness and achieve peace of mind, Project You is a useful book for those looking to transform their mindset. I love how simple and applicable the activities in this book are. Though this book is marketed towards teens, the majority of the activities can be implemented in all of our lives. We’ve all heard that a book can truly be healing, and Project You is a literal interpretation of that saying!
4. The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
After years of hard work dedicated to building a prosperous future for herself, Lakshmi Shastri’s life is overturned when her estranged husband suddenly finds her. To her surprise, he’s also brought along a sister she never knew she had. The Henna Artist follows Lakshmi as she navigates her newfound duties as a henna artist for the queen along with the joys and challenges her sister brings into her life.
Though I’ve been stuck inside my house in America for the last few months, The Henna Artist transported me all the way to 1950s Jaipur with detailed descriptions of authentic Indian delicacies and picturesque street settings. Throughout this novel, Joshi addresses mature topics with grace, sealing The Henna Artist as one of my all time favorite books.
5. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
In this murder mystery, 10 strangers are each sent an invitation to Soldier Island by a mysterious benefactor. Of course, they accept. However, the first evening at Soldier Island, the guests are accused of committing murder in the past. Soon, the systematic killing of each member of the group begins. Each character had a unique, fascinating backstory that kept my attention rapt throughout the book. Filled with suspense and plot twists, this psychological thriller left a lasting memory in my mind.
Each of these books found a special place in my heart during quarantine by opening my mind to the struggles of others, helping me calm my racing thoughts, and best of all, transporting me to a new, vivid world.
I’ve inserted links into the book titles so you can buy them on Amazon! Let me know in the comments what books you’ve been reading during quarantine.
