I stole this idea from Seth Lewis’s Blog, because I really like this idea of books to be quarantined with. It’s kind of like books to be stranded on a deserted island with. Haven’t we all kind of been involuntarily sent to the deserted island of our homes? Anyway, it got me thinking of what books I would recommend. So, instead of binging on Netflix or playing marathon sessions of Animal Crossing, check out some of these books.
Fiction
Earth Abides by George R. Stewart—What could be more appropriate; yet, I have a feeling that a lot of people don’t even know about this book. A mysterious disease wipes out the vast majority of the human race. The book doesn’t really go into any details of the disease or how it happens, but instead focuses on how people go on—first, with one man who seems to be have been immune and then, gradually, with the other survivors he meets.
Bleak House by Charles Dickens—This is the epitome of Dickensian novels. It’s long, but remember, you have a lot of extra time on your hands. Even though it has a lot of pages, it doesn’t feel long. It was released in installments. Read it leisurely. Don’t be discouraged by the title. It’s full of great characters. There’s mystery, drama, and social commentary. You will be transported to another time and place.
Peace Like A River by Leif Enger—This is a classic, but I bet you haven’t read it, have you? I’m a sucker for stories of journey-filled quests. A little brother travels cross-country with his father and sister to find his outlaw big brother. There’s humor, tears, and miracles. You can’t help but love these characters, and the prose is beautiful.
NonFiction
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer—Yep, another really appropriate choice, because we’ve essentially been forced to clear our calendars and slow down. However, this book will give you some practices to help you slow down for good and improve your spiritual life, instead of just using the free time to gorge on entertainment. Ultimately, the practices will help improve your life in general. I review this one at length here.
Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson—Feeling like you should be creative and productive during this isolation? Adorning the Dark will inspire you. This is part memoir and part book about creativity. It reads like a conversation with a good friend who happens to be a songwriter, recording artist, poet, and author. I also review this one in depth here.
Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman—This was an eye opening book that completely changed how I viewed culture. It was written in 1985, but it’s eerie how relevant it is now. Just look at this quote: “Americans no longer talk to each other, they entertain each other. They do not exchange ideas, they exchange images. They do not argue with propositions; they argue with good looks, celebrities and commercials.” Prophetic?
Graphic Novels
Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art by Scott McCloud—This category may be new to some, so this is a great place to start. “Graphic novel” is just a pretentious way of saying long comics, but they typically deal with more topics than just superheroes. There’s a certain amount of magic that drives the image and text on the page to your brain, which brings it to life. This is another eye opening book.
Maus and Maus II by Art Spiegelman—(content & language warning) This is a classic in the graphic novel category and a perfect example of how comics can deal with poignant topics. This is a holocaust story. I think what really makes Maus interesting is how Spielgelman weaves together his father’s Auschwitz narrative, his own difficult relationship with his father, and Spiegelman’s struggle to make sense of it all by writing the book.
Sweet Tooth by Jeff Lemire—(content & language warning) This one is actually in several volumes, because it was a comic series. I’m also a sucker for post-apocalyptic stories, and this one includes a quest and cross-country journey. So, it’s one of my favorites. The thing about post-apocalyptic stories is they almost always include glimmers of hope. Gus is a character you will empathize with. I didn’t want to put this one down.
Keep in mind Amazon is not shipping most books right now. You may want to opt for digital versions or find them from other retailers. I’ve seen several smaller booksellers running great deals with free shipping. Spend your quarantine wisely and enjoy.