Source: commons.wikimedia.org
From timeless to current, from real-life to fiction to memoirs and biographies, these are some of the few books that I have read from the time that I stayed home. They have kept me moving forward every day and have made my few hours worthwhile. Cure your boredom one day at a time and get a hold of these books now.
The Plague by Albert Camus. A friend of mine recommended a virtual book site where I can read this book from, and when I did, I found a lot of solitude in this author’s work. It was quite challenging to look for it in the online library because it’s one of the many classic books that the millennials have probably never heard of. But I tell you, the fictional county where the supposed plague happens is a picture of the future if you imagine this pandemic progressing for the long-term. The book conveys the hopeful message of taking one day at a time and embracing what the unknown future holds. As per Camus, “I do not know what awaits me or what will happen when all of this ends, but for now, I know this – there are sick people that need curing.”
The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. You can’t argue with me on this one. Harry Potter has been and always will be one of my favorite reads and movies forever! It’s classified as a children’s series, but I don’t know. I find it rather enjoyable. The magic steers my creative mind, and each time I read, I become more and more confident that I have the power to unlock a door using the Alohomora spell. I invite you to try reading the first book (if you haven’t still). It has been my 3rd reading, and yet I am again drawn to the magic. I am also encouraged to survive this crisis. Harry did, amidst the bullies and the ruthless enemies.
Source: usda.gov
Texas Gardening Almanac by Doug Welsh. Friends, so far, I find these times the darkest. We are often anxious and worried about our future, and we anticipate a coming recession. We won’t recover in just two or three months. I read this because I was thinking of learning to grow my garden and harvest a few fruits and vegetables that are safer and healthier. Plus, it’s going to help me save up big time. I wasn’t disappointed with the read, so why not read this on one of your dreary days? Perhaps after, you can share this with other community members so that in a way, you’re helping too.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. This is a happy book, so it can never go wrong, especially during these times. The main character, Eleanor, does not know how to act socially. The story is all about her befriending a filthy man at work. They become close, and in one of their walks together, they encountered an older man who fell on the sidewalk whom they decided to help. Soon, these three personalities became good friends and depended on each other in almost everything. It is a reminder of how friendship can lighten up even the dullest days. I love this. I love my friends.
Recollections of My Nonexistence: A Memoir by Rebecca Solnit. This is a new book which just came out last March. She is a brave and assertive feminist. She writes about social change, activism, and climate problems. Despite the negative issues that she writes about, she manages to end on a hopeful and inspiring note. You can feel from her essays the rage she has over the social and climate issues that we are experiencing right now.
Source: pxhere.com
Her Body And Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado. This I found interesting, and maybe you will too. When you’re stuck at home, you get bored pretty quickly. Lately, I tried experimenting on things, like migrating my kitchen to the outdoors, sleeping in the patio once a week, and putting paper decor on my ceiling. Maria Machado’s books are told in a highly fun and experimental way. It will make you realize that there is no one standard rule for writing something, and so with staying at home.
