Woohoo! It’s been three weeks of self-quarantine for me, how about you? I hope by now you’ve been keeping yourself entertained and sane one way or another. If you’ve run out of ideas of what to do, you can check out the Netflix and Spotify recommendations I’ve got posted this past two weeks. Today I am back with more recommendations—this time it’s books! Clearly, I was saving the best for last.
If you follow me on Goodreads, these are all books in my Most Beloved Read list—meaning they all got five stars from me and more. Some of them you have heard of before—either from me or from everyone else—and some you may find completely unfamiliar, but you’ve got my guarantee that these are all worth your while. Without further ado, here are some of the books I believe you should read before you die of boredom.
Woohoo! It’s been three weeks of self-quarantine for me, how about you? I hope by now you’ve been keeping yourself entertained and sane one way or another. If you’ve run out of ideas of what to do, you can check out the Netflix and Spotify recommendations I’ve got posted this past two weeks. Today I am back with more recommendations—this time it’s books! Clearly, I was saving the best for last.
If you follow me on Goodreads, these are all books in my Most Beloved Read list—meaning they all got five stars from me and more. Some of them you have heard of before—either from me or from everyone else—and some you may find completely unfamiliar, but you’ve got my guarantee that these are all worth your while. Without further ado, here are some of the books I believe you should read before you die of boredom.
by Barbara Kingsolver
As you all know, I am passionate about the environment, yet somehow I’d never read any fiction on the climate crisis…until 2 years ago when I found this book. Although it’s a fictional story on a very real cause, the plot is incredibly layered—dealing not only on the ecological, but also with social economy and culture.
The story starts at a climactic point in a young mother’s life on her way to abandon her family and run away with her lover, when she finds the forest in her backyard is on fire. Bewitched by the sight, she realises that it is not fire at all, but numerous Monarch butterflies. It might seem like a miraculous process of nature, but is actually an alarming sign of climate change—these butterflies might not survive the winter. It was such a page-turner, I could barely put it down!
As you all know, I am passionate about the environment, yet somehow I’d never read any fiction on the climate crisis…until 2 years ago when I found this book. Although it’s a fictional story on a very real cause, the plot is incredibly layered—dealing not only on the ecological, but also with social economy and culture.
The story starts at a climactic point in a young mother’s life on her way to abandon her family and run away with her lover, when she finds the forest in her backyard is on fire. Bewitched by the sight, she realises that it is not fire at all, but numerous Monarch butterflies. It might seem like a miraculous process of nature, but is actually an alarming sign of climate change—these butterflies might not survive the winter. It was such a page-turner, I could barely put it down!
by Sarah Winman
Ever since I saw this book in a store, I was instantly smitten by its cover. I know there’s a saying that advises against it, but I was right about this one—the inside is just as beautiful as the face. The story is one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read. It is an English story about a brother and a sister—a familial love story which is quite rare in the world of literature. Elly and Joe are the closest of siblings, who learnt early on what growing up really meant.
Through a rabbit they named God, they learnt about secrets, love and starting over. Although the story brushes on homosexuality, it doesn’t turn it as the centrepiece—which is quite rare these days. This one’s a tearjerking story that burns slowly and comes full circle to complete a beautiful metaphor. I can’t say I wasn’t fighting back tears when I finished it.
Ever since I saw this book in a store, I was instantly smitten by its cover. I know there’s a saying that advises against it, but I was right about this one—the inside is just as beautiful as the face. The story is one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read. It is an English story about a brother and a sister—a familial love story which is quite rare in the world of literature. Elly and Joe are the closest of siblings, who learnt early on what growing up really meant.
Through a rabbit they named God, they learnt about secrets, love and starting over. Although the story brushes on homosexuality, it doesn’t turn it as the centrepiece—which is quite rare these days. This one’s a tearjerking story that burns slowly and comes full circle to complete a beautiful metaphor. I can’t say I wasn’t fighting back tears when I finished it.
by Clare Morrall
If you believe in fate, that’s probably how I came upon this book here. It was at a store-wide sale that I found this book—priced at an unbelievably low price. I’ve never heard of the author nor the title before, but the cover title and the price were enough to convince me. This book turns out to be one of the most subtly romantic story that I’ve ever read.
It tells the story of the unique relationship between Peter Straker, an man who lives in a lighthouse, and Imogen Doody, an woman who’s recently inherited a cottage nearby. Peter is solitary, Imogen can’t seem to stop talking; yet they share something in common—a dark past. In the end, they help each other work through it in the most unlikely ways. It has such a heartwarming story about making peace with trauma and regret—honestly, my all-time favourite.
by Clare Morrall
If you believe in fate, that’s probably how I came upon this book here. It was at a store-wide sale that I found this book—priced at an unbelievably low price. I’ve never heard of the author nor the title before, but the cover title and the price were enough to convince me. This book turns out to be one of the most subtly romantic story that I’ve ever read.
It tells the story of the unique relationship between Peter Straker, an man who lives in a lighthouse, and Imogen Doody, an woman who’s recently inherited a cottage nearby. Peter is solitary, Imogen can’t seem to stop talking; yet they share something in common—a dark past. In the end, they help each other work through it in the most unlikely ways. It has such a heartwarming story about making peace with trauma and regret—honestly, my all-time favourite.
by Jhumpa Lahiri
Reading about cross-cultural relationships have always been interesting to me, especially when it comes to family. To be honest, this isn’t my most favourite work of the author—that honour wen to The Lowland—however this one has a much deeper and possibly more relatable plot.
The story starts when Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli meets at an arranged marriage and moves from India to the United States—Ashoke is pursuing an engineering degree. Thousands of kilometres away from their family, practically strangers to one another, they have to figure out how to live life in a strange country with an entirely new culture. There’s something warm and sweet about the love Ashoke and Ashima share—which a lot of Asians can relate to—and their expatriate life resonates so hard with me personally too.
by Jhumpa Lahiri
Reading about cross-cultural relationships have always been interesting to me, especially when it comes to family. To be honest, this isn’t my most favourite work of the author—that honour wen to The Lowland—however this one has a much deeper and possibly more relatable plot.
The story starts when Ashoke and Ashima Ganguli meets at an arranged marriage and moves from India to the United States—Ashoke is pursuing an engineering degree. Thousands of kilometres away from their family, practically strangers to one another, they have to figure out how to live life in a strange country with an entirely new culture. There’s something warm and sweet about the love Ashoke and Ashima share—which a lot of Asians can relate to—and their expatriate life resonates so hard with me personally too.
by Madeline Miller
This one was a fairly recent one—I’ve only just read it earlier this year—but I was loving the ride the whole time. If you’re a fan of Greek mythology, you might want to read this underhyped story of a demigod. It’s such an epic tale from her birth to the end of her immortality—spanning for years and centuries, brushing up with the origin of the Minotaur, the Odyssey and many more famous Greek epics you must clearly have heard of.
It’s actually kind of ironic that Circe is overlooked in real life as much as she is overlooked in her own story—not only by the mortals, but also by her own parents, siblings, the Titans and the Olympians. I find the writing of this great epic incredibly modern, with a wonderful sense of humour and urban vocabulary, without being distasteful—which I love.
This one was a fairly recent one—I’ve only just read it earlier this year—but I was loving the ride the whole time. If you’re a fan of Greek mythology, you might want to read this underhyped story of a demigod. It’s such an epic tale from her birth to the end of her immortality—spanning for years and centuries, brushing up with the origin of the Minotaur, the Odyssey and many more famous Greek epics you must clearly have heard of.
It’s actually kind of ironic that Circe is overlooked in real life as much as she is overlooked in her own story—not only by the mortals, but also by her own parents, siblings, the Titans and the Olympians. I find the writing of this great epic incredibly modern, with a wonderful sense of humour and urban vocabulary, without being distasteful—which I love.
by Charlie W. Shedd
A few years ago, my Dad randomly recommended this book to me. At the time, I was in a 4-year relationship, so it seemed appropriate for me to learn more about how to have a healthy relationship. It’s a bit funny that this is a book from a father to a daughter and my father introduced this to me.
The book is actually a series of letters the author sent to his daughter Karen every week. Each one is a different lesson on maintaining a healthy marriage. You see, Karen’s father—the author—is a reverend who often dish out advice to married and/or about-to-be-wed couples in his congregation. Although I’m not of the same religion, the advices from the author are legitimately useful and can be adapted by everyone of any faith. It has helped me evaluate how I communicate with my partners and vice versa.
by Charlie W. Shedd
A few years ago, my Dad randomly recommended this book to me. At the time, I was in a 4-year relationship, so it seemed appropriate for me to learn more about how to have a healthy relationship. It’s a bit funny that this is a book from a father to a daughter and my father introduced this to me.
The book is actually a series of letters the author sent to his daughter Karen every week. Each one is a different lesson on maintaining a healthy marriage. You see, Karen’s father—the author—is a reverend who often dish out advice to married and/or about-to-be-wed couples in his congregation. Although I’m not of the same religion, the advices from the author are legitimately useful and can be adapted by everyone of any faith. It has helped me evaluate how I communicate with my partners and vice versa.
by Charles Duhigg
Last year my partner in crime at work recommended this book to me—after watching this video by Max Joseph, I also got intrigued to read it. Habit is such a basic thing; everyone has it. And yet, somehow, we don’t really talk about creating, maintaining and changing habits.
What this book shows me isn’t just about habits on a personal level, but also on a much deeper, societal level—who knew people’s habits can have a major impact on marketing and activism? While it’s quite a deeply scientific book, it is equipped with comprehensible visualisation, making it easier to digest. For me, personally, this changes how I see other people and opportunities to influence others.
Last year my partner in crime at work recommended this book to me—after watching this video by Max Joseph, I also got intrigued to read it. Habit is such a basic thing; everyone has it. And yet, somehow, we don’t really talk about creating, maintaining and changing habits.
What this book shows me isn’t just about habits on a personal level, but also on a much deeper, societal level—who knew people’s habits can have a major impact on marketing and activism? While it’s quite a deeply scientific book, it is equipped with comprehensible visualisation, making it easier to digest. For me, personally, this changes how I see other people and opportunities to influence others.
by Yanis Varoufakis
The first time I saw this book was on my friend Maya’s Instagram story. She recently finished the book and the title quickly piqued my interest. As a girl who has zero understanding on the economy myself, this book could actually be helpful. Not long afterwards, I borrowed it from her and read it cover to cover. You know what? It made me understand the economy a little bit—even though I still cannot work in finance.
Yanis Varoufakis wrote the book very eloquently, explaining all the economics terminology without actually using the words themselves—in such an incredibly comprehensible way that makes even the biggest idiot would understand. Not only does he go on about the money system, but also about culture and whatnot. Such an eye-opener!
by Yanis Varoufakis
The first time I saw this book was on my friend Maya’s Instagram story. She recently finished the book and the title quickly piqued my interest. As a girl who has zero understanding on the economy myself, this book could actually be helpful. Not long afterwards, I borrowed it from her and read it cover to cover. You know what? It made me understand the economy a little bit—even though I still cannot work in finance.
Yanis Varoufakis wrote the book very eloquently, explaining all the economics terminology without actually using the words themselves—in such an incredibly comprehensible way that makes even the biggest idiot would understand. Not only does he go on about the money system, but also about culture and whatnot. Such an eye-opener!
by Elizabeth Pisani
Indonesia is a huge archipelagic country, with thousands of islands scattered across its seas. Most of its citizens—myself included—are more likely to have gone abroad before they explore even 50% of the country. I myself have only ever visited 3 islands out of the thousands and I’ve been to Europe! However, it’s not to say I’m not interested—if anything,
I’ve always been intrigued—which is why Elizabeth Pisani’s experience was so incredible for me. She travels to various corners of the country and question the nature of our unity—and whether or not everyone agrees to it. It really opened my eyes to a whole lot of messed up problems my homeland actually has. If the U.S. is all about freedom, Indonesia’s promise is unity—yet they’re both just as bad at delivering it to the people.
Indonesia is a huge archipelagic country, with thousands of islands scattered across its seas. Most of its citizens—myself included—are more likely to have gone abroad before they explore even 50% of the country. I myself have only ever visited 3 islands out of the thousands and I’ve been to Europe! However, it’s not to say I’m not interested—if anything,
I’ve always been intrigued—which is why Elizabeth Pisani’s experience was so incredible for me. She travels to various corners of the country and question the nature of our unity—and whether or not everyone agrees to it. It really opened my eyes to a whole lot of messed up problems my homeland actually has. If the U.S. is all about freedom, Indonesia’s promise is unity—yet they’re both just as bad at delivering it to the people.
by Tony Juniper
What a nice book to end on, don’t you think? Start with a book on the environment, end with one too. Splendid! This book was actually bought as a research material for my thesis project, yet it ended up being quite redundant. Thankfully, it intrigued me—not only visually, but also content-wise—as, just like its title promises, deals with all the ways mankind has f***ed up this entire planet.
The book is fully equipped with numerous infographics—all of which are incredibly easy to understand. It is segmented into three major parts: the problems, the progress and the next step. The data gathered is very thorough and I ended up learning quite a lot from the book. While the book has that children-friendly feel to it—with the colour and graphics—the terminologies still might confuse young ones, so I still wouldn’t recommend they read it.
What a nice book to end on, don’t you think? Start with a book on the environment, end with one too. Splendid! This book was actually bought as a research material for my thesis project, yet it ended up being quite redundant. Thankfully, it intrigued me—not only visually, but also content-wise—as, just like its title promises, deals with all the ways mankind has f***ed up this entire planet.
The book is fully equipped with numerous infographics—all of which are incredibly easy to understand. It is segmented into three major parts: the problems, the progress and the next step. The data gathered is very thorough and I ended up learning quite a lot from the book. While the book has that children-friendly feel to it—with the colour and graphics—the terminologies still might confuse young ones, so I still wouldn’t recommend they read it.
What have you enjoyed reading lately? Share along!
