Itβs been a slow reading year honestly, but before now, I put that down to having a busy summer in the best way.
Since then, the world has changed dramatically. Three weeks into semester 1 and I was forced to stay home, with the rest of the country following suit a week later.
With the spread of the coronavirus, life has been stressful and anxiety inducing. Pretty much the entire world is in lockdown with no end in sight.
But there are two main things that are a going to keep me sane during this period; books and Netflix.
Over the next few weeks Iβm going to share as many book-related and Netflix-related posts as I possibly can. Starting with todayβs post; 10 books I want to read during quarantine.
We will get through this tough time together if we remember to stay home and WASH OUR HANDS.
The Handmaids Tale – Margaret Atwood
Starting off with a solid recommendation from many people (and the internet). I got this book late last year. I know Iβm late to the game on this one, but the good news is I havenβt even watched the TV series, so no spoilers. So far, I know itβs set in this dystopian world where women are treated terribly. And that itβs supposed to be some kind of commentary on sexual politics? I have to admit, that even when this book first started getting a lot of hype, I wasnβt that keen on it (even when the show came out). It sounded a bit dark for my taste in Fiction. But alas, I gave in and decided to give it a try. The more I think about it, the more interested I become. Weβll see how this one turns out.
You are a badass at Making money – Jen Sincero
Following my trend of reading one fiction and then one non-fiction, my next pick is this self-help book about making money. For those of you who roll your eyes or simply loath self-help books, I hear ya. Feel free to skip. However, I will tell you that I have also always been very cynical about self help books. I prefer to read them as if Iβm just reading someone elseβs point of view (these types of books can often be quite entertaining when the author inserts their own experiences). But I donβt read these books in the expectation that I will find some life changing answer to a deep personal question. Iβm particularly sceptical of books that claim to have these get-rich-quick ideas. But the reason I picked up this book is because I read the authorβs first book βYou are a badassβ and I quite enjoyed her writing style.
The Outsiders – S. E. Hinton
Ah a classic! Donβt judge me for not having read this yet. I recently got a whole stack of classics for Christmas which are sitting on my shelf ready to read. I will be quite honest, this one? I have no idea what itβs about. Truly. But the reason why Iβm interested in it is because itβs been referenced many times in other books Iβve read. Iβm pretty sure thereβs a movie too which Iβd like to watch afterwards.
Let the Elephants Run – David Usher
This book came to my awareness via a youtuberβs recommendation. I liked the idea of this one because it was about unleashing your creativity. I often find myself at a creative block as a writer and it always drives me crazy. But I think thatβs the same with every artist. It would be really cool to see how this author views creativity and what enhances it.
Daisy Jones and the Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid
This just looks cool! From what Iβve heard, itβs about a rock chic and her band set in the 70s I think? Its written through a series of interviews which I just find so interesting. Iβm really excited to read this story because the premise is already so cool. Did I mention it looks cool?
The Future of Capitalis – Paul Collier
Oops! Did I put you to sleep? Sorry. Now normally Iβm not one to read books on economics β even though I do like political literature. But I am currently doing a course called βPolitics Communicatedβ and my teacher talked about this book on the first day. Some of the ideas weβve been learning about lately are surprisingly fascinating (for real) and I want to learn more. So, I snatched this book off Amazon. My hope is also that by brushing up on my economics knowledge, that I can have more scintillating discussions with my economics-obsessed father.
Animal Farm – George Orwell
Another classic from extensive list. Again, this was one that is often referenced to in other books. I found that itβs about a group of animals that rebel against their human farmer in order to create an equal society amongst animals and humans. I think its supposed to be a political commentary. Itβs was first published in the 1940s so perhaps it references the Holocaust or world war? I canβt be sure. Whatever itβs about, Iβm pretty sure itβs a much read for any literature buff.
Leave your mark – Aliza Licht
This is a self-help book for the modern female entrepreneur. I know Iβm not an entrepreneur per se. However, I believe that Iβm still creating a brand with myself as a journalist as well as my blog of course. Anyway, I love hearing stories from girl bosses far and wide because the fact that I can hold somebody elseβs work in my hands (their book), is inspiring enough for me to want to go out and kick some goals.
The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah
Iβve heard many times over by many booktubers that this is a beautiful story. And I do love beautiful stories. All I know is that this is a historical fiction set in Paris during WW2. But I have this feeling that Iβm going to truly love this book. Plus, even the cover is gorgeous and very enticing.
Letters of Note – Shaun Usher
And finally, this little anthology of letters collected from all sorts of people from all over the world from all eras in time. This is the first book of a duo. I actually read the second book last year before realising there were two. But at least theyβre not a joint story but a bunch of little stories in letters. Some funny, some sad, some inspiring, some revealing. I loved the book I first read because it really made me appreciate the art of letter-writing and more so made me miss the act of writing and receiving letters.
And that concludes my list of 10 books I hope to read during quarantine (so far). Stay tuned for more posts to come.
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