As the world is scrambling with the global coronavirus pandemic, people are increasingly turning to books to entertain and inform themselves while stuck at home.
NPD BookScan recently announced that sales of adult non-fiction books on contagious diseases increased by 52% in the first eight weeks of 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.
While readers are increasingly intrigued by novels on deadly viruses, Canadian author Margaret Atwood took to Twitter to recommend several books that she deemed essential in these times of crisis.
“OK Twitterpals, as I crouch in my burrow, what would you like the most? a) comforting book reccos b) plague book reccos c) poetry book reccos d) stupid/weird/mundane things I have done to pass the time, which would have passed anyway…,” she asked her fans.
OK Twitterpals, as I crouch in my burrow, what would you like the most? a) comforting book reccos b) plague book reccos c) poetry book reccos d) stupid/weird/mundane things I have done to pass the time, which would have passed anyway…
— Margaret E Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) March 18, 2020
When actress Mia Farrow asked for “a plague book” recommendation, Atwood cited non-fiction books like Hans Zinnser’s “Rats, Lice, and History”; Jared Diamond’s “Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies”; as well as Charles Mann’s “1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus”.
Ahead of World Poetry Day on March 21, “The Handmaid’s Tale” author recommended Carolyn Forché’s “In the Lateness of the World”.
“In the Lateness of the World” marks Forché’s first new collection of poetry in 17 years, with Atwood teasing that the 96-page title “gives us some perspective.”
OK, new poetry book: IN THE LATENESS OF THE WORLD, by wonderful @carolynforche, her first poetry book in 17 years. @penguinpress Gives us some perspective…you could be worse off than self-isolating..
— Margaret E Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) March 18, 2020
American novelist Gail Godwin was also mentioned by the Canadian bestselling author, who advised her fans to pre-order “Old Lovegood Girls”.
This forthcoming novel, set for release on May 5, chronicles the complex and decades-long friendship between Feron Hood and Merry Jellicoe.
“If you remember the 50s, here they are! Plus a looong winding female friendship taking us through the (can it be 6?) decades since. As always, wry, beady-eyed, acute. You think you think; but think again,” Atwood wrote on Twitter.
OK, novel recco: forthcoming: Gail Godwin, Old Lovegood Girls @Bloomsbury. If you remember the 50s, here they are! Plus a looong winding female friendship taking us through the (can it be 6?) decades since. As always,
wry, beady-eyed, acute. You think you think; but think again.— Margaret E Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) March 18, 2020
While in self-isolation, Atwood also recommended to take the time to rediscover all-time favorites like Edith Wharton’s “The Age of Innocence”; Georges Simenon’s crime novels featuring Commissaire Maigret; as well as Agatha Christie’s “Miss Marple” and “Hercule Poirot” series.
“For love stories that work out, you can’t beat Jane Austen,” the novelist added.
Somewhat comforting stories: Edna O'Brien, The Country Girls; Edith Wharton, The Age of Innocence. For love stories that work out, you can't beat Jane Austen. https://t.co/FlZUExPBN9
— Margaret E Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) March 18, 2020
She also gave a shout-out to various comic artists and illustrators, including Kate Beaton for “Hark, A Vagrant” and Tom Gauld’s “The Snooty Bookshop”. JB
RELATED STORIES:
Margaret Atwood, Salman Rushdie novels among Man Booker Prize 2019 longlistees
You can set sail on an expedition cruise with Margaret Atwood
