“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, …”
- Tale of Two Cities
It is easy to be consumed by digital content as we enter into a new week of quarantine, whether it be through WebEx classes, news channels, forwarded Whatsapp and Wechat articles from parents, TikTok video and Netflix shows - it is important to diversify your day-to-day experience. A day spent in front of a screen leads to a decrease in mood and overall well being. Even with the abundance in streaming options, books are an optimal path for a better quarantine experience. This is the perfect opportunity to embark on a new literary journey.
Here have been some of my favorite reads along with a quote to draw you in:
Fiction
Little Fires Everywhere
“Sometimes you need to scorch everything to the ground, and start over. After the burning the soil is richer, and new things can grow. People are like that, too. They start over. They find a way.” ― Celeste Ng
Normal People
“Life offers up these moments of joy despite everything,” ― Sally Rooney
Origin
“Sometimes, all you have to do is shift your perspective to see someone else’s truth.” ― Dan Brown
Non-Fiction
Bad Blood
"Sometimes, the most dangerous people were the ones you trusted most.” ― John Carreyrou
Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-up Bubble
“These are the bozos. They are graspers and self-promoters, shameless resume padders, people who describe themselves as “product marketing professionals,” “growth hackers,” “creative rockstar interns,” and “public speakers.” ― Dan Lyons
Self Help
Atomic Habits
“Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become. No single instance will transform your beliefs, but as the votes build up, so does the evidence of your new identity.” ― James Clear
Comedy
Born a Crime
“Comfort can be dangerous. Comfort provides a floor but also a ceiling.” ― Trevor Noah
Why Not Me
“It's weird when you feel your dream slipping away from you. Especially when you have no other dreams.” ― Mindy Kaling
Classics
Animal Farm
“Man is the only creature that consumes without producing” ― George Orwell
Frankenstein
“I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous.” ― Mary Shelley
With our digital devices being a major avenue to escape, these captivating books offer a healthier alternative to a screen-filled daily schedule. Curling up with a book has been the best way to break up my day and dive into another world.
Article by Grace Huang
The views expressed herein are attributed to their authors and not to this publication nor Babson College. The materials appearing in this publication are for information purposes only.