Suggested books to socially isolate with

In this weird, terrifying and super-stressful period, some people only want to watch and read apocalyptic, medical and horror; others, like me, want to get clear away from it and escape to an alternative world where no-one says the word 'virus'.

Here are a few suggested books which absorbed me and took me away from this present world:

* The Dutch House - Ann Pratchett The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
* Bad Girl - Mario Vargas Llosa The Bad Girl by Mario Vargas Llosa
* Nicholas Nickleby - Charles Dickens
Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
* My Year of Rest and Relaxation - Ottessa Moshfegh My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
* The Good Soldier - Ford Maddox Ford The Good Soldier by Ford Madox Ford

For those who, also like me, are finding it difficult to commit and concentrate on a full-length novel, here are some absorbing short stories and essays:

* Property - Lionel Shriver Property Stories Between Two Novellas by Lionel Shriver
* Feel Free - Zadie Smith Feel Free Essays by Zadie Smith
* Notes from the Underground - Dostoyevsky Notes from the Underground & The Gambler by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
*The Strawberry Tree - Ruth Rendell The Strawberry Tree (Storycuts) by Ruth Rendell
* The White Album - Joan Didion The White Album by Joan Didion

Stay safe!
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Published on March 18, 2020 00:54 Tags: escape, isolation, social-distancing, stress, suggested-books, virus
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message 1: by Caroline (new)

Caroline Stewart Thanks for some of these. Just thinking that I wish I could re-read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I would add that.


message 2: by Claire (last edited Mar 18, 2020 11:57AM) (new)

Claire I'm reading Where the Crawdads Sing and loving it. Perfect escape for these times.

I have a couple of Vivian Gornick's including her Unfinished Business: Notes of a Chronic Re-Reader, Kathleen Jamie's essays Surfacing and Colette's The Shackle and an Annie Dillard Teaching a Stone to Talk: Expeditions and Encounters all of which I've been dipping in and out of, it's that kind of reading moment I guess!


message 3: by Nicky (new)

Nicky Bean Claire wrote: "I'm reading Where the Crawdads Sing and loving it. Perfect escape for these times.

I have a couple of Vivian Gornick's including her [book:Unfinished Business: Notes of a Chronic ..."


I’ve ordered this on a friend’s recommendation, looking forward to reading it.


message 4: by Ruby (new)

Ruby Soames Caroline wrote: "Thanks for some of these. Just thinking that I wish I could re-read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I would add that."

Thank-you, Caroline! Yes, that would be a definite addition. I have also created, a 'list' on Goodreads if you want to see more and vote for some of your favourites.

Happy reading and stay safe, Ruby


message 5: by Ruby (new)

Ruby Soames Nicky wrote: "Claire wrote: "I'm reading Where the Crawdads Sing and loving it. Perfect escape for these times.

I have a couple of Vivian Gornick's including her [book:Unfinished Business: Note..."


Oh brilliant, Claire. What great ideas. I'm going to order 'Where the Crawdads Sing'. Need escaping!

Happy reading,

Ruby xxx


message 6: by Ruby (new)

Ruby Soames Ruby wrote: "Caroline wrote: "Thanks for some of these. Just thinking that I wish I could re-read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. I would add that."

Thank-you, Caroline! Yes, that would be a definite addi..."



message 7: by Ruby (new)

Ruby Soames Nicky wrote: "Claire wrote: "I'm reading Where the Crawdads Sing and loving it. Perfect escape for these times.

I have a couple of Vivian Gornick's including her [book:Unfinished Business: Note..."


I'm going to order it now! Thanks! Take care, R


message 8: by Claire (new)

Claire Ruby wrote: "Nicky wrote: "Claire wrote: "I'm reading Where the Crawdads Sing and loving it. Perfect escape for these times.

I have a couple of Vivian Gornick's including her [book:Unfinished ..."


I'm sure you'll appreciate it Ruby, I just wrote a review, finished it this this morning, now in that space of wanting something equally fulfilling to follow it up with.


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