Books in the Time of Corona

What to read when you’re self-isolating...

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Just like millions of others, I’m currently stuck at home. Sure, I still take my university classes online and try to do as much work as possible from home, but somehow, I still feel like I have too much time on my hands without the daily commute and errands. But there’s a silver lining to everything: I finally have the time to write, practise yoga daily and – most importantly – read whatever I want! For all my fellow bookworms out there, I’ve put together a list of my top book recommendations for these difficult and uncertain times.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

A beautiful and heart-warming story of a Russian aristocrat confined to the walls of the famous Hotel Metropol in the heart of Moscow. Count Alexander Rostov is sentenced to life-long house arrest in the luxurious hotel. However, he doesn’t give up and tries to make the most of this situation, staying true to his principles and beliefs as a real gentleman. The story has a slower start, but it gets more captivating with each page. It’s beautifully written without being too complicated to read and sometimes, I’ve even caught myself letting out a little giggle while reading – Towles has a great sense of humour! If you find yourself in circumstances similar to those of Count Rostov (albeit self-inflicted), this is the perfect read to make everything seem a little more bearable.

And if you like to learn a bit more about the authors of your favourite books, I’d recommend this episode of the podcast Booked, in which Amor Towles gives you a little tour of his bookshelf.

Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante

Although I’ve already read Ferrante’s debut novel, Troubling Love, back in 2018, it wasn’t until last year that I truly discovered her work. I read the Neapolitan Novels followed by The Days of Abandonment and The Lost Daughter, though the four-book series was definitely my favourite. The first volume, My Brilliant Friend, tells the story of Elena and Lila’s childhood in a poor and violent Neapolitan neighbourhood. The subsequent novels follow our heroines into the adulthood and, eventually, old age. Both Elena and Lila lead rich lives full of ups and downs as writers, business women, lovers, wives and mothers. However, their friendship always remains in focus, even when they become strangers and enemies.

These novels are real page-turners and I’ve devoured each and every one of them in just a few days, impatient to know what happens next. Finishing the final volume was almost sad, as I didn’t want to part with the characters I’ve grown so fond of – luckily, there’s the HBO series based on the novels to keep me occupied for the next few weeks!

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

After reading The Goldfinch, I borrowed The Secret History from my local library. My expectations were high, as this novel is often being praised as Donna Tartt’s best work. Well, I certainly wasn’t disappointed. The Secret History is a gripping coming-of-age story that follows a group of college students, eventually revealing their terrible secrets. It’s a completely different kind of whodunit, as we know the “who” from the very beginning – we just need to find out the “why”. I’ve really enjoyed the college setting, the references to Greek and Latin, the eccentric characters and the dynamics of the group, all told in Donna Tartt’s skillful writing. If you just want to lose yourself in a great story and forget about the rest of the world for a few hours, this is my top recommendation.

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

Kafka on the Shore is another coming-of-age story or, if you will, a Bildungsroman. There are two plot lines coming together at the end of the novel; the individual chapters focus alternately on the teenage boy Kafka, who decides to run away from home, and the old man Nakata, who can talk to cats. Yes, this novel has talking cats, which should be compelling enough for everyone to at least give it a try. In true Murakami fashion, there are elements of fantasy and mystery in the otherwise real-world setting. Think fish and leeches falling from the sky and add a bit of teenage angst and some eroticism. A little confusing, but definitely worth a read!

Non-fiction: Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker and Mating in Captivity by Esther Perel

I’ve decided to group these books together, as they essentially both aim to improve your – ahem – bedroom experience. Matthew Walker is a neuroscientist who researches the impact of sleep on both our physical and mental health. In his book, he explains how sleep works and why we need to sleep; you can get a little pretaste in his TED Talk here. To tell the truth, I am not a great sleeper, usually staying up too late, then sleeping in or pulling an all-nighter right before an exam. That’s why I find the information in Why We Sleep so helpful, even though it also scares me (did you know that lack of sleep increases your chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease or getting cancer?). Is it too bad to say this book is keeping me up at night?

Esther Perel is a psychologist and relationship therapist. Mating in Captivity explores the dynamics of desire in long-term relationships. She explains why desire often fades over time and gives advice on how to nurture this aspect of the relationship. She also gives concrete examples, telling stories of some couples who came to see her in order to save their marriage and restore intimacy. Esther also has a podcast on this topic called Where Should We Begin? – each episode is a recording of an actual therapy session.

Enjoy the reads, stay safe and healthy and share your own book recommendations below if you like!

Love,

Bella