22 Reads That Will Make Time Go By Faster While You're Isolating

I present to you — the ultimate self-isolation "to read" list!

Recently, we asked the BuzzFeed Community to share their must-read books while everyone is self-isolating. Here are all of their recommendations:

1. The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley

Instagram: @astridninetytwo / Via instagram.com

It‘s a six-book-series, so there‘s plenty to read and you get to travel all over the world as each sister learns about where she came from!

—booksmart_germany

2. Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler

Instagram: @pennythoughts13 / Via instagram.com

By the same author who goes by Lemony Snicket, this book tells the story of a short-lived, wholly-consuming teenage romance told through the many items the narrator is returning to her ex.

I intended to get through my very tall pile of unread books in isolation, but instead, I'm finding it comforting to immerse myself in a familiar story where the highest stakes are misunderstandings and missed connections.

—marielasummerhays01

3. A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Instagram: @bethbonini / Via instagram.com

This is my favourite book. It's relevant to read right now because it's set during the Great Depression when a lot of families were struggling to survive. It’s a beautiful story told from a child’s point of view.

—redchris

4. My Sister Lives On The Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher

Instagram: @theravenclawlibrary / Via instagram.com

This is a story about a bombing in London, told by a very young boy about what happened to his family after. It's a beautiful book about how children don't have any prejudice against anyone who might look, sound or worship differently to themselves.

I lived through the 7 July 2005 bombing in London and not knowing if my family or friends were alive was terrifying. All I knew was that my dad should have been on the underground train that blew up (he was fine, he got sent home because he became unwell before he even got on the tube) and my mum wasn't answering my phone calls. This book made me remember how it felt to be so young and confused about the big picture behind it all.

—IsobelHNorris

5. The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Instagram: @rosemaryfajardo / Via instagram.com

This has been my favourite read for a long time. If you’ve been struggling internally to find your identity, this book is for you.

—ashleyp4a4128945

6. The Song of Achilles and Circe by Madeline Miller

Instagram: @summernightbooks / Via instagram.com

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller! It’s such a beautiful retelling of a well-known story and completely broke my heart before putting it back together again. It’s a decent length too, but not so long it feels like a huge commitment. Her other book, Circe, is also an amazing read.

—mulberrytea

7. The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson

Tom Scott / BuzzFeed

This is an alternate fiction novel where 99% of Europe is killed by the Black Death instead of a third. A fascinating read, especially today.

—Tom Scott

8. Emma by Jane Austen

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This book is not only a classic, but it's one of Jane Austen’s best works. To some people, Emma might seem like a spoiled girl who doesn’t want to grow up. But to others she is a good natured sarcastic woman.

—lovelyluvs

9. Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch

Instagram: @emmyh_reads / Via instagram.com

This series is about magical police in modern London. The protagonist, Peter, is a police constable who becomes a trainee wizard and joins a department of the police which specialises in magical crimes. Each book is a different case, but there is an overarching plot which runs through them all and becomes more significant as the series goes on.

The books are very grounded — Peter approaches his wizard training very scientifically and he still has to deal with normal police procedures. There's also a diverse range of people — Peter is mixed race, the eponymous Rivers of London (spirits of the Thames and her tributaries) are all black women, plus there are prominent LGBT, Muslim, Sikh and immigrant characters.

—hannahh43

10. The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot

Instagram: @kimberlyprom / Via instagram.com

These are such great books. While they are pretty easy reads and aimed at younger audiences, they're also really comforting. Whenever I used to get stressed, I would read the series to feel better.

—rosienuttty

11. Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace

Instagram: @bibliophilejunkie / Via instagram.com

Definitely Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. It is a mammoth of a book, clocking in at over 1,000 pages including the endnotes (which you need to read, they include some vital parts of the story). It’s a very complicated and wonderful novel that takes place in a near-future where technology is slightly advanced, but mostly the book is about addiction and tennis and has some great tid-bits about human nature. I did have the benefit of reading it in a class once, a certain number of pages for each time we met, but if we’re all stuck inside it's possible to get through it. Just a warning, your life might never be the same after you read this book.

—folivora

12. Wanderers by Chuck Wendig

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Wanderers is a very human story of people living through uncertain, precarious and mysterious times when some people start “sleepwalking” together to an unknown end. It includes remarkable pre-science about some aspects of the current pandemic, so it’s not necessarily a full escape, but you won't bored — not even for a moment.

—betsyh111

13. The Priory Of The Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

Instagram: @bookishly_tiff / Via instagram.com

With the detailed world building, the incredible character depth and the gripping plot, this book is very hard to put down. But there was no way I was making it though 800+ pages in one sitting, which makes it the perfect read for this lockdown.

—indianaj3

14. The Stand by Stephen King

Instagram: @mariemeetsbooks / Via instagram.com

This is a ridiculously long book that'll keep you occupied for a while. Also it's about a killer virus that wipes out 99% of the world population.

—michelles48422069e

15. Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

Instagram: @efeitom / Via instagram.com

Technically, Heartstopper it's not one book, but an ongoing series. The graphic novels focuses on the budding relationship between Charlie and Nick as they begin to fall in love.

It's so sweet and heartwarming that it takes your mind off anything bad. And it tackles various topics such as eating disorders and bullying, but still leaves you feeling wrapped up in a hug.

The best part is the author regularly updates her Tapas account with new pages almost every week, so you can always get your Nick and Charlie fix!

—piercedgirl101

16. Crisis In The Red Zone by Richard Preston

Instagram: @booksandmargs / Via instagram.com

This book is the author's follow up to The Hot Zone, focusing on the 2013/2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. I know, it sounds like an odd choice for quarantine reading! But it has actually managed to keep my attention like nothing else during this pandemic, plus learning more about how epidemiology and disaster response works has actually helped with my anxiety.

—sweetroisindubh

17. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

Instagram: @betwixtthepages / Via instagram.com

I could not put this book down. It has such an incredibly deep storyline and you connect with each of the characters. Definitely my new favourite read!

—rach876

18. Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

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Not only is there a new Hulu show with Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington (which means it has to be good right?!), this book gives you a place to learn and examine your own privilege and thoughts about family while reading a story that can be funny as well as thought provoking. You’ll come out not only entertained, but maybe a better person.

—claired18

19. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Instagram: @wizardsandhallows / Via instagram.com

I'm pregnant right now and I've been reading the Harry Potter books aloud to my little bump. They always bring me such joy and help me calm down when I'm stressed...Hoping they'll do the same now since I'm worried about this virus!

—anniey4ebe4c169

20. The Plague by Albert Camus

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This is a fascinating read and pretty apt given the events taking place around the world at the moment. I had to put it down last night because it was touching a nerve a little too much!

—dannib3

21. My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russel

Instagram: @abookishmarriage / Via instagram.com

So hard to put this book down as I work from home. Incredible insight into an important issue.

—juliasmithb

22. The Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer

Instagram: @feelsinforks / Via instagram.com

I needed some comfort reading.

—austengirl89

Note: Submissions have been added for length and/or clarity.

What other books would you recommend for people self-isolating? Let us know in the comments below!