My top books picks to read during quarantine

With all this time stuck at home, you might be getting desperate for things to do. You’ve binge-watched Netflix, cleaned your room, and spent waaay too much time with your family. So even if you’re not much of a reader, you might find it worthwhile to take a look at some of my top picks for books to read. 

Scythe by Neal Shusterman 

I avoided this book for a while because I was wary of the premise. In a utopian society, nobody dies of natural causes, so instead they die at the hands of “scythes” — people trained to kill people. But after picking it up over the break, I found that I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. It was fast-paced and well written, making it hard to put down. But it also pushed me to think in a way that I usually avoid, and that made it all the more impressive to me.

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams 

Have you ever looked into where the “42” meme came from? Here you go! That’s not why I put this book on the list, though… It’s here because although it’s somewhat old, it’s hilarious. There are actually six of these, all pretty short, though like many other series, the first is indisputably the best. The combination of satire and sheer inanity is a great way to escape your thoughts and laugh.

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

This romance novel features Madeline Whittier, a girl who can’t step foot outside of her house because of her incredibly weak immune system — sounds strikingly familiar, doesn’t it? This already heartwarming story will hold extra meaning, now that Madeline’s character just became a lot more relatable in recent weeks. And besides that, the writing pulls you in and the format is engaging. Once you start reading, you won’t want to stop. 

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

It’s a murder mystery — but more importantly, a love story. Between a girl and a boy, yes, but also between a girl and the marsh. This book will encourage you to think and give you an appreciation for the coast, where it takes place. The writing is beautiful, and the plot will keep you guessing right up until the final chapter. 

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris 

As frustrating and boring as staying at home all day is, this is one of those books that reminds you it could always be worse. Based on a true story, this book takes you through several aspects of the Holocaust, including many that don’t usually come up in school. This book is naturally very dark at times, but it also includes moments of hope and selflessness. And I was glad to find that unlike many stories of its kind, this book had a happy ending.