Book recommendations illustration. Soleil de Zwart // AS Review
By MacKenzie Dexter
While school is back in session and our schedules are filling up, we are still in quarantine due to COVID-19. With the extra free time, as well as isolation, our options for entertainment can seem limited since we cannot spend time with friends or be outside. A great way to pass time and distract oneself is to read, but not just the overpriced textbooks. Below are five books that I believe are must-reads, especially with the relevant themes of isolation and independence in each book. I hope you can fill your days with a book that will make you smile, ponder and question during these isolating times.
Little Women
First up is “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. While this is not a new book, it is a must-read. “Little Women” is a fictional story about the March sisters and their childhood growing up in Massachusetts during the Civil War. It follows the sisters, Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth, into adulthood and relationships between the sisters.
With the popularity of the 2019 movie version of “Little Women,” it’s the perfect time to read the book that started it all and brought Timothée Chalamet and Florence Pugh together on the screen. I recommend this book because Alcott does an amazing job at making her characters relatable. Although it was written in the 1880s, people still see themselves in the sisters or other characters, which is why it continues to be a favorite among generations.
Alcott effectively creates emotional connections between the sisters and other characters, causing the reader to attach to each character. The reason I enjoy this book so much is because of the strong character development, vivid storyline and rich setting. Another reason I love this book is because of the emotions Alcott depicts in the novel and how she breaks down womens’ stereotypes. The reader is bound to laugh, cry and sympathize with each character and event.
Where the Crawdads Sing
The second book is “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens. This fictional story takes place in Barkley Cove, located on the North Carolina coast, in the 1960s and follows the story of “Marsh Girl,” known as Kya. The books maps out Kya’s upbringing, love, abandonment and a local murder. Kya is brought into the town’s narrative when she is accused of commiting the murder.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is Owens switching between flashbacks and present day. By using this technique, Owens allows the reader to build bonds with the characters before the local boy’s murder trial. It allows the reader to witness the history of the town and see the people who inhabit the town. Owens does a fantastic job at making the reader feel for Kya and her anxiety of bonding with people from Barkley Cove. Owens describes the setting and gives the reader a look into the ecology of the North Carolina coast. Owens explains how plants and animals are not only important to the area, but also to Kya. Owens embeds the quest for survival with the eriness of mystery that keeps the reader engaged and wanting to read more.
The Immortalist
Next is “The Immortalist” by Chloe Benjamin which follows the lives of the Gold children: Simon, Klara, Daniel and Varya. As children, they visit a psychic who gives each of them the date of their death. While each sibling goes down a separate path, the theme of death follows them throughout their lives and blends the lines between fate, magic and reality.
Benjamin structures each sibling as a section that eventually bleeds into the next sibling’s life. It makes the reader want to continue reading to see how each character’s life plays out and how they are all connected by their shared childhood experience. Benjamin explains the beauty and the flaws of each character and the bond between family that waivers throughout their individual lives. Benjamin also uses effective foreshadowing that allows the reader to stay engaged and not want to put the book down.
Just Kids
For a nonfiction choice, the memoir, “Just Kids” by Patti Smith follows her early adult life in New York with Robert Mapplethorpe throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Smith shares her start as a musician and a poet as well as Mapplethorpe’s start as a photographer and their relationship together.
Smith’s talent is the way she describes her surroundings in New York City as well as the characteristics of people. Each time I read one of her books, her lyrical language captures vivid details in even the smallest objects. If you’re someone who is into rock ‘n’ roll history, this is a great option because artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison make appearances throughout the book. Smith also gives away how the story ends in the beginning, without too much detail, which the reader has to discover once they get more into the book. It lets the reader know right away that while the story is sad, it’s also beautiful and complex.
Don’t Let Me Be Lonely
Finally, “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely” by Claudia Rankine is a multimedia book that looks at identity, mental health and death. It touches on 2000s American history, gender and race, Rankine’s personal narrative and poetry.
I recommend this book because it breaks everything that I have been taught about form, especially when mixing different types of form. Even with an abundance of themes, Rankine is about to smoothly tie the story together by constantly reminding the reader of the themes through characters, words and pictures. Once the book is finished, the ending is satisfying because all the loose ends come together. Rankine is also creative with how she combines her personal stories with news stories that defined the decade. If you are someone who enjoys meditative and stream of consciousness stories then this is a great option for you.
With so many books and genres to choose from, I hope this small list inspires you to read new pieces, share them with friends and family and discover a positive outlet during these uncertain times.