A lot of people are happiest these days with the tried and true. There’s the comfort factor, yes. But many of us are finding that our ability to concentrate is simply not up to its usual peak so a difficult book is just not in the cards right now.
https://www.bookbub.com/blog/readers-recommend-good-books
21 Readers Share Their Stay-at-Home Reads
By Kimberley Laws•April 15, 2020•4 min read
In a time when hugging your best friend may not be prudent, many of us have turned to books for a warm embrace. We asked our readers what books they’re choosing for companionship and distraction, and these are some of the responses we received. Perhaps you’ll find your next literary hug among them! Reviews have been edited for length and clarity.
Just One Damned Thing After AnotherJodi Taylor
Annie: “They are funny, quirky, and light. They’ve taken me away from everything going on around us at the moment.”
The Splendid and the VileErik Larson
Linda: “[It’s] not light reading, but [it] reminds me that others have gone through trials before and come out okay.”
Eight Perfect MurdersPeter Swanson
Bonnie: “I discovered a new author, Peter Swanson. I read his most recent, Eight Perfect Murders, featuring a mystery bookstore in Boston which blogs about fictional murders only to have someone reenact them in real life. The book was so well-written that I ordered the author’s five previous novels.”
The Starless SeaErin Morgenstern
Heather: “Erin Morgenstern’s writing is beautiful, and the book tumbles through stories that are at once real and fantasy. It has taken me back to the best books of my childhood.”
The Shell SeekersRosamunde Pilcher
Christie: “It’s an old book, but her portrayal of Cornwall and the characters transport me there, even though I’ve never had the privilege to see it for myself. I hope to go someday!”
The Mirror and the LightHilary Mantel
Maggie: “The Mirror and the Light [is] the third part of the Wolf Hall trilogy. I reread the first two parts last week. It was like meeting kid friends after a long absence.”
The Lord of the RingsJ.R.R. Tolkien
Cathy: “Fighting Sauron is easier than an invisible bat virus.”
Crescent City: House of Earth and BloodSarah J. Maas
Sasha: “I love how at every turn something unexpected and crazy happens. Demons, faeries, and angels — it has an elaborate cast of characters, and I’m only 100 pages in. It’s great so far.”
Paula: “[It’s] so beautifully written, it takes you with the writer on a journey along a wild and rugged path. [It] made me feel extremely lucky to have my warm bed to sleep in, and helps you realize just how resilient we can be when life gets hard.”
Karen: “Set in Quebec, Canada, [these] murder mysteries read like a Hallmark Christmas movie crossed with Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot.”
Barbara: “I am a big fan of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Last week I plucked The Fiery Cross from my bookshelf, even though I have four library books waiting to be read. It’s a VERY BIG read, and I thought I’d be able to put it aside to read a library book, but it’s one of those books that sucks you right in. Love all the characters and the intricacies of the storylines.”
Death in the FamilyTessa Wegert
Kim: “[It’s] similar to Knives Out with a compelling female detective who has a chilling backstory.”
Kathy: “Not only is she beautiful and classy, but she is also a phenomenal author!”
A Winter’s Promise: Book One of The Mirror Visitor QuartetChristelle Dabos
Aleksandra: “We had to cancel our spring break vacation at Universal Studios, Florida and stayed home whole week. Previously I picked up A Winter’s Promise by Christelle Dabos at Barnes and Noble for my teenager to read… Of course I ended up reading it and was not able to put the book down.”
Ashley: “I happened to see it on HBO before the quarantine started and realized that I missed the world and never finished the third book. So now is the perfect time to come back to the land of Alagaësia.”
Margaret: “Because I have to have a regular Dickens ‘fix.’”
The Island of Sea WomenLisa See
Patricia: “[I’m reading] The Island of Sea Women right now; then I’m opting for something lighter; then Martin Luther by Eric Metaxas…that should keep me busy for days!”
A Discovery of WitchesDeborah Harkness
Pammie: “[I] was watching the TV series, A Discovery of Witches, and [I] wanted to try the books. Like always, the books are much better.”
Amy: “One of the best books I have read in a long time. The author has a talent for making her characters and the story jump off the page… She has a true gift for making you feel and see everything because of her descriptive writing…”
All Roads Lead HomeDiane Greenwood Muir
Lisa: “[It’s a] lighthearted mystery series, very uplifting. [It has] wonderful characters, and lots of life lessons included. [It is] very appropriate for what our world is facing right now. [It] teaches us the power of loving and caring, in coming together to help each other.”
The Tenant of Wildfell HallAnne Brontë
Helen: “[I’m] going back to classics. [I’m] discovering the least-known Brontë in Tenant of Wildfell Hall.”
Abycats' Thoughts 