Travel the World From Your Couch

We are all stuck inside with nothing to do. Some of us may be working remotely, but some of us have online classes and not much else to keep us entertained. My first day of quarantine was spent trying to get all of my housework done. I got done in about two hours and found myself sitting on the floor. The second day was filled with even less on the to-do list. I'm pretty sure my downstairs neighbors despise my new hobby of dancing along to Youtube dance videos.

After one week of quarantine, I have found that the best way to spend my time is in the pages of a book. I read not out of obligation, but out of a need to go somewhere other than my apartment. If I open a book about Alaska, I can imagine myself trekking across beautiful snow covered grounds. If I open a book about aliens in outer space, I can imagine what it would be like to take my first steps on Mars. I can go anywhere I want, even with a travel-ban.

In order to get you started in your travels, here are some books I recommend:


The Institute by Stephen King

I picked this book up with the expectation that it would be about a string of kidnappings. However, the novel starts with an unemployed cop that happens upon a low-paying job in Dupray, South Carolina. His decision to take the job seems meaningless at the time, but as the novel progresses the pieces of King's elaborate plot begin to connect. The narrative provided by Luke is so honest it seems as though a 12-year-old boy was speaking to me through the pages of this book. Yes, there are numerous kidnappings, but the children are taken for their supernatural abilities. If you pick up this book you will find yourself feeling real hatred toward people that don't even exist. This one will take a little longer, but as with most of King's works, it will be worth the investment. Buy a copy here. 



Antoni in the Kitchen by Antoni Porowski

I know, this is not technically the kind of book one thinks of when talking about traveling to far away lands, but traveling to different places can happen in the kitchen! Try a recipe you are not comfortable with to challenge yourself! I picked this cookbook because I absolutely love Antoni's personality. There is no shortage of personality in this cookbook and the recipes speak for themselves. Get yours here.







The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

This thriller is more than just a mystery with a sinister twist. The setting is a cruise and you could literally not get anymore travel adjacent than that! I read this and immediately felt like I should drive to the beach--not the best idea--and board a boat. Let your mind be active and try to uncover the answers before the narrator does! Buy yours here.









The Power by Naomi Alderman

What would happen if women everywhere gained the power to zap anyone whenever they wanted? Naomi Alderman explores an alternate reality where women have a distinctive advantage over men. I could not have expected the ways that this book made me feel. Whatever your gender, this book teaches readers to respect one another and not rely on generic strengths as the determination of someone's worth. This book made me feel powerful and also made me rethink the way our society is structured. The novel makes you think, and with so much free time that cannot be a bad thing. Get a copy.  




Whether you're crafting or baking, hobbies are so helpful in getting us through this quarantine. Make sure you're exercising your brain as well by reading novels that thrill and challenge you. Try one of these or really any book that interests you.