By: Nadia Castro

During these unprecedented times, life seems to move slow while staying indoors. Finding the motivation to do anything may be hard. Reading may not be the first thing that comes to mind on this break, but what if it is exactly what the brain needs. Imagination can run wild with the different genres put in front of you rather it be mystery or romance. These books may spark something within to start reading more and manipulate time that passes by. Books can be ordered and delivered right now, but please take the necessary precautions when doing so.

Mystery

“A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson

When you feel something is not right you have to go with your gut, and that is what Pippa Fitz-Amobi did. This book is about Pippa uncovering a murder within her town that she believes should not have been put to rest. The twists and turns that are given will have you starting your own murder board on the people involved.

Trigger Warning: this book does contain talks of sexual assault and drugs.

“The Poet” by Michael Connelly

A journalist that writes and investigates about death didn’t expect to be writing about his brother, a homicide cop. The thought of how, when, where, and why didn’t add up to Jack McEvoy. The book goes into

You Will Be Mine by Natasha Preston

When you have a secret admirer, it should be a butterfly in the stomach feeling, but when they are killing for you it isn’t as flattering. This thriller about five housemates in college

Science-Fiction

“Trinity: Ascension Saga” by Grace Goodwin

On Barnes & Noble’s best sellers list, this book delivers adventure about two destinies that neither thought would bring them face-to-face. Three humans arriving from Earth have a soldier to protect them, Leoron of Alera, but he is also fighting his two battles. A friend and his love at first sight. This saga provides 3 volumes of reading to complete the story.

“The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood

This graphic novel is from the point of view of a maid, Offred, during the dystopian future of a second American civil war. Women only have one purpose, to birth a baby. While trying to survive through this totalitarian state, will the handmaids be able to escape? Or is being enslaved worth living?

Romance

“The Lucky One” by Nicholas Sparks

The author Nicholas Sparks is known for his captivating romance novels, and this novel was no different with the inspiration of his grandparents’ story. A U.S. Marine, Logan, returns home from Iraq and meets a woman that runs a kennel from home where he takes a job at. As he falls for her, Beth is hesitant on whether to let her guard down and let the feelings inside grow. But what she doesn’t know is that she is the reason Logan is alive.

“Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes

The traditional love story might be boring for some, so Moyes created a novel that is anything but that. Emma Clarke, a free-spirited woman, decides she has what it takes to turn one life around. She didn’t think along the way she would need to brace herself for how much she would give. Clarke being her corky self tries everything to do what’s best for her family, but she needs to also think about herself.

“The Unhoneymooners” by Christina Lauren

On the New York Time bestseller, Olive’s life hasn’t really gone the way she’s wanted and to add to that she is having to spend time with her enemy at her sister’s wedding. Her sister has been winning at life until her wedding doesn’t benefit her, but maybe Olive instead. Will a honeymoon be Olive’s positive in the end?

Philosophical/Religion

“The Shack” by William P. Young

The story talks about grief, pain, and loss. A father, Mackenzie Philips, goes through his journey of losing the person he truly cherished, yet his journey tests him along the way. His depression makes himself question his inner beliefs, and the note he receives only makes him question them more. Faith is an obstacle this book tackles with Mackenzie and his family.

“Life of Pi” by Yann Martel

Piscine Molitor Patel survives a shipwreck but must face the challenges of being at sea by himself floating in the abyss. Not only does he deal with sharing his boat with a Bengal tiger, but changing his way of life altogether. The meaning of life and death come into play as we see how Pi navigates from childhood to adulthood.

What to Read During Quarantine