Finding yourself with a lot of spare time on your hands? Yep, that’s the quarantine life for now. If you’re looking for things to do, now is the perfect time to finally read all those ‘essential’ books you’ve been meaning to. We’ve rounded up seven of the best books to read in self-isolation.
From the absolute classics to modern masterpieces and an easy read or two, these books will get you through. We suggest you contact your local independent bookstore and see what their delivery options are to help support small businesses during the coronavirus.Â
Best Books To Read In Self-Isolation
1. All The Light You Cannot See – Anthony Doerr
This beautiful, stunningly ambitious instant New York Times bestseller is about a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War I.
2. Dubliners – James Joyce
Never got around to reading James Joyce? This is the perfect opportunity, and Dubliners is the perfect intro to the literary genius. It’s an exceptional collection of stories/portraits about some of the residents of Dublin, Ireland early in the 20th century.
3. Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
This is a story of love and race centered around a young man and woman from Nigeria who face difficult choices and challenges in the countries they come to call home. It raises universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.
4. 1984 – George Orwell
Written more than 70 years ago, 1984 was George Orwell’s chilling prophecy about the future. And while 1984 has come and gone, his dystopian vision of a government that will do anything to control the narrative is timelier than ever…
5. Little Women – Louisa May Alcott
You’ve seen the movie (and if you haven’t, then you really should!) so now read the novel. This iconic novel follows the lives of four sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March—detailing their passage from childhood to womanhood, and is loosely based on the author and her three sisters.
6. The Martian –Â Andy Weir
Now a blockbuster starring Matt Damon, The Martian follows astronaut Mark Watney as he’s stranded on Mars. He’s completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive – and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.
7. Hollow Kingdom – Kira Jane Buxton
When it comes to books to read in self isolation, this ticks all the boxes. What happens when a global pandemic leaves only the animals behind? One pet crow fights to save humanity from an apocalypse in this uniquely hilarious debut from a genre-bending literary author.
