What to read during a pandemic
HERE’S SOME COMFORT FOOD FOR READERS
At a time when a lot of people are looking for ways to occupy their time, there are plenty of ways they can connect with their favorite authors online. But, as usual, the best way to connect with the literary world is simply by reading books. If you’re looking for a good, meaty story to help you pass the time, I have suggestions.
Below are some books that I’ve enjoyed recently — three released within the past year, and three old favorites. Bonus: If your favorite independent bookstore offers online orders and delivery, these books are a great way to help support them. Double bonus: If your library is linked to a digital library service, such as Overdrive or Hoopla, and you’ve always been interested to see how these programs work, now is a great time to learn.
Newer favorites
1 “Maybe You Should Talk to Someone,” by Lori Gottlieb: This is sort of a necessary book right now. Gottlieb, a therapist, talks about her path to becoming a mental health professional, shares the stories of some of her patients, and talks about how her own therapist got her through a bad breakup. There’s good stuff in here about coping skills and knowing yourself. Basically, this about how often we overlook our mental well-being, and how we need to slow downs and listen to ourselves.
1 “Nothing to See Here,” by Kevin Wilson: Sometimes, when you are in funk, you need a truly outrageous story to shock you out of it. Enter “Nothing to See Here,” a wild, weird and hilarious book about a woman whose life has little meaning until she is asked to be a nanny for two kids who spontaneously burst into flames when they are upset. Yep — this is a book about fire children. It’s also about love, parenting and the healing power of basketball. And bacon sandwiches. I also recommend Wilson’s earlier book “The Family Fang,” which is equally odd and charming.
1 “Such a Fun Age,” by Kiley Reid: When I read this book only a month or two ago, it felt very contemporary. But typing this up, I remembered that a pivotal scene is set in a grocery store where a young woman and a small child have been sent to just hang out and kill time. So it’s already a period piece. Nevertheless, this stunning debut is still a thought-provoking read about race, class and why we do the things we do. A young black woman named Emira is a nanny to an upscale white family. While at the aforementioned grocery store with her young charge, she’s accused of kidnapping by a security guard and a fellow shopper. The incident sets off a chain reaction that changes the lives of Emira, her boss, and a man who witnessed the incident in the store. “Such a Fun Age” is bracing, incisive and still entertaining.
Old favorites
1 “Sapphires and Garlic: The Secret Life of A Critic in Disguise,” by Ruth Reichl: Hey, remember when people went to restaurants so often that they needed critics to tell them which ones were good? Well, this nonfiction memoir by food writer
Ruth Reichl harkens back to those times, writing about her stint as a critic for the New York Times. To help conceal her identity as a critic, she wore a bevy of disguises, complete with wigs and props. The book is great fun, and also illustrates the power of food to connect and heal. Oh, and there are recipes!
1 “Bel Canto,” by Ann Patchett: Depending on how you’re handling the current situation, this is either the best or worst book you can read right now. A band of terrorists take over a birthday party for a Japanese businessman in a South American country and hold everyone hostage. There is, of course, initial terror and anger and grief. But, as terrorists and captives are forced to spend time together in the same space, they form sort of a mini society, where bonds are formed, love blooms and lessons are learned. There is tragedy here, but also hope.
1 “Pronto,” by Elmore Leonard: Some TV critics are recommending the great FX series “Justified” as a good quarantine watch and I agree. I also recommend the book that introduced that show’s main character, laconic yet triggerhappy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, “Pronto.” Leonard was a great crime writer with a knack for writing quirky characters. And if you like this book, there are two more Givens books — “Riding the Rap,” and “Raylan.”