Quarantine Reading Guide :)

Since I was let out of school over a month ago, I have taken advantage of my increased amount of free time to read all of the books that I never had the chance to. Since I'm sure many others are in the same predicament of boredom as I am, I have decided to share some of my favorite books.

This post is divided into three sections: books I have read in quarantine, books that I plan to read in quarantine, and other books that I suggest to ppl. Hope you enjoy! :)

On the Road by Jack Kerouac

Ever since I learned about the Beat Generation in my AP US History Class, I have wanted to read more of their works. The predecessors to the hippie movement that gained momentum in the 1960s, members of the Beat Generation, including Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, reflected anti-materialistic sentiment in their works. Overall, this book is a very entertaining read, giving insight into the values of the 1950s counterculture. Moreover, the way it chronicles life on the road and the desire for freedom is especially reflective of the political and social climate today.

This book is for: hippies, aquarians, basically anyone who is down for a good road trip.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

From Lana Del Rey to Paris Hilton, many pop culture figures have associated themselves with Lolita, resulting in several references throughout music and art. Therefore, my desire to read this book stemmed from my desire to better understand the pop culture references. What I discovered in this process is that Lolita is often misunderstood and even romanticized in modern culture, portrayed as a young girl with sexual maturity. In reality, Nabokov's Lolita chronicles middle-aged Humbert Humbert's obsession with his step daughter, and it includes dark themes of rape and perverted desire. Beyond these dark themes, Nabokov brilliantly conveys the complexities of love and obsession, and he calls into question the common norms that we as a society have adopted.

This book is for: Lana Del Rey fans, ppl who like to roast Sigmund Freud

The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I originally bought this book at the Shakespeare and Company book store in Paris last summer, but I kept pushing off reading it as I got into the school year and college applications. Therefore, when coronavirus came around, I saw the perfect opportunity to finally finish this book. Overall, this book contains similar themes to that of The Great Gatsby, and it utilizes many of the same literary elements as well. However, this novel follows the reckless lives of Anthony and Gloria Patch and their subsequent spiral into tragedy. Not only does Fitzgerald enhance his readers' understanding of the roaring 20s, but he explores the complexity of time and the fleeting nature of beauty -- two topics that still cary a good amount of relevance in the modern day.

This book is for: fans of The Great Gatsby, ppl who vibe with the 20s

The Awakening by Kate Chopin

In my AP English courses, I have now been assigned two short stories by Kate Chopin, an author and early feminist from the late 19th century. Known for her unexpected plot twists and her acute social understanding, Chopin stood out to me as a writer, so I decided to write the only complete book she ever wrote. Essentially, The Awakening follows the life of a young woman in Louisiana who begins to question and challenge the social norms imposed upon her, especially those stemming from the fact that she is a female. Although this book is short, it manages to combine gender conflicts, racial dynamics, and a love story all in one.

This book is for: feminists, ppl who aren't looking for a long book

The Princess Saves Herself in This One by Amanda Lovelace

I feel as though "Instagram poets" have come under a lot of scrutiny for not making "real poetry;" but what many of these critics don't understand is that these poems aren't meant to be read and analyzed on their own. Rather, these recent poetry books, including The Princess Saves Herself in This One, are meant to be more accessible and to tell a story. In this particular book, Lovelace manages to convey her familial struggles with cancer, abuse, suicide, etc., effectively telling a story that seems more like a stream of consciousness rather than a forced narrative. I honestly cried while reading this, and I highly suggest other people check it out.

This book is for: ppl who claim "poetry just isn't for me," feminists (again)

Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

To be completely honest, I originally chose this book because of the title; I figured there was nothing more appropriate than reading a book about cholera during a global pandemic. However, I soon discovered that cholera falls more into the background of the book. Instead of focusing on the epidemic, Marquez focuses on the love story between Fermina Daza and Florentino Ariza, effectively establishing a juxtaposition between love and illness. This was an incredibly entertaining read, and I would highly recommend reading it now more than ever.

This books is for: rom-com fans, pretty much anyone tbh

Emma by Jane Austen

Honestly, this book made it on my list because I like the novel Pride and Prejudice and I like the movie Clueless. Apparently, the writers of Clueless based the movie loosely off of Emma (making it more modern and based in Los Angeles, of course). I can't give a lot of insight into the book, but I love Austen's wit and her storytelling ability, so I am sure it will be a good read.

This book is for: Clueless fans, Jane Austen fans (and, for that matter, Colin Firth fans)

The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

This is one of the books that appears on almost every single list whenever I am researching what I want to read next. Telling of adventures through time and space, this is a good book for any science fiction fan, and it is supposedly really accessible to readers of all levels. I really don't know what else to say until I read it . . . lolz.

This book is for: science fiction fans, anyone who is as fascinated in the interesting title as I am

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

So APPARENTLY there is a Hunger Games prequel coming out in May?! I only figured this out recently and I am sooooo excited! I was not able to find out a lot about the plot, except for that it is set to follow a young President Snow during the 10th annual Hunger Games . . . idk what to expect for that but it should be super interesting.

This book is for: The Hunger Games fans (duh)

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Okay, so this is my personal favorite book, but I would be careful with it if you have struggled with depression and other mental health issues, especially during this time. Written by my favorite poet Sylvia Plath, this book serves as a semi-autobiographical narrative of a young woman stuck in the "bell jar," feeling paralyzed in a world where she is supposedly valued for her brains but still expected to be a wife and a mother. Published around the time Plath killed herself, this book gives a lot of insight into her feelings and experiences leading up to her demise.

This book is for: ppl who like poetry, feminists, ppl interested in mental health

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

Anyone who knows me knows that my favorite movie of all time is Fight Club. Filled with subliminal messaging and sentiments of anarchy, this movie has become a cult classic, and it has continued to be a fan favorite especially among members of my generation. So, last summer, I decided to read the book that inspired the movie, and I did not regret it. I believe that both the book and the movie do a wonderful job of conveying the derailing mental state of the narrator, illustrating his involvement in a domestic terrorist organization after making the acquaintance of Tyler Durden. While the book (unfortunately) does not have Brad Pitt, I still think it is more than worth it for any fan of the movie.

This book is for: fans of the movie, ppl who like Tarantino movies (kinda have the same vibe), anarchists

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby is one of those books that a lot of people have read, and most everyone has heard of, and that is for a good reason. Not only does Fitzgerald capture the very essence of the Jazz Age and the Lost Generation, but he does so with a compelling story line and a myriad of symbols and literary elements that combine to form a thoroughly entertaining novel. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone considering reading The Beautiful and Damned, because they contain many of the same symbols and motifs, therefore enhancing your understanding of both.

This book is for: 20s enthusiasts, anyone who can read