Stay at Home Recommended Reads

Hello everybody and welcome to another edition of The CW Torch! So, I know the last post I had written, I mentioned that I wasn't going to posting as much on my blog anymore. However, with the current world situation regarding COVID-19, I will be staying home for the next couple of weeks. So, I will have more free-time to write not only on this blog, but to also work on the current book I have finished writing/editing and a new book I began to write recently. Since, most of us will be working from home or just being at home in general until things start to ease up, which who knows how long this will last. I figured most of us would have more time to read, so I thought it would be a good time to recommend some books that will fulfill your time during self-quarantine. I think this list of books would be good to pick up during this time, because they are very immersive and will keep you distracted from things that are happening in the world around us. I feel that they would also take up some time throughout the day if you feel like you are running out of things to do, since most of them are pretty lengthy. With all that being said, I hope you enjoy this post and are staying safe and healthy out there!

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

The Starless Sea follows Zachary Rawlins who discovers a book at his University's library, which has an exact scene that happened to him as a child. He is immediately intrigued by this story and decides to take the book. From then on he is sucked into a world of a Starless Sea where he meets mysterious characters named Dorian and Mirabel. Transported into a world of masquerades, gilded ballrooms, twisting libraries filled with books, and much more. Trying to figure out the wonders of this magical, hidden world.

This book is so atmospheric and lyrically written that you are immediately sucked into the story. Almost as if you are traveling along with Zachary Rawlins and his friends in this fantastical world. I thought it would be the perfect book to read during "shelter-in-place," because within the main plot line there are little vignettes and other short stories being told throughout the book. Which sucks you even deeper into this world, and let's you forget about everything that is happening outside.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone Series by Lani Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone follows blue-haired, art student, Karou. While she's not sketching beautiful paintings in the middle of Prague, she is selling teeth to a devilish creature who hides in the underground alleyways. This world is filled with Angels, Demons, mysterious black hands on doors, and romance.

Much like Erin Morgenstern's writing, Lani Taylor has a very lyrical hand. When I first read this book, I was immediately transported to the magical lands of Prague. I felt like I had been there before, when I've never stepped foot on that mystical city. This book is just extremely weird and immersive and definitely takes you out of the world around you. Which will definitely be a trend in these next couple of books that I'll be recommending. Another things I really loved about this book were the characters, they were very eclectic but they also seemed so familiar. Which is another reason why I am recommending this book, because I think it'll help fill that void of human connection that is happening right now.

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab

I will always find a way to recommend this series, because most of you know how much I absolutely adore this series. But, I thought it was fitting for this sort of recommendation. The world and magic of this series is so vast and intriguing. V.E. Schwab writes in such a way that makes you believe this world is real, because there are so many layers to it and history behind it. It is extremely transportive because our main character Kel, literally travels between worlds. You'll feel like you are traveling under his cloak right along with him. You'll immediately fall in love with all of the characters in this series and root for them as if they were your friends. Luckily, if you are going to be staying at home for a long period of time, there are three books to complete this trilogy and a few prequel graphic novels to become invested in. This book will suck you right into it's rich world, as if you have fallen into the pages itself. This series will definitely keep you preoccupied if you are feeling stuck at home.

The Raven Cycle Series by Maggie Stiefvater

The last book series I am recommending is The Raven Cycle series. I immediately fell in love with this series, mainly because of the characters and friendships within this quartet. If you are feeling like you're losing some sort of human connection throughout this shelter-in-place world we are living in now. You will find some friends within this book, as there are multiple personalities within this series to make you feel some sort of connection to each an every single one of these characters. Not only do I think this series will provide some sort of friendship and connection, but Maggie Stiefvater has such a unique and weird writing style that will get you sucked right into this paranormal world. There is lore, a quest, magic, and forbidden love, just about anything to appeal every type of reader. It is a little weird at times and sometimes difficult to follow, but the story is incredibly unique and something that will keep you motivated during these strange times we are living in.

There you have it folks, these are the four books/series I think would be perfect to preoccupy yourself during these times of forced social distancing. I tried to pick books that were atmospheric and would suck you right into the world, to forget about the world we are currently living in. Also, some books that have interesting enough characters who will help provide a little bit of human connection if you are living on your own or unable to see your friends and family at this time. There were a number of other books, I thought would be good for this recommendation. But some of those are high intense fantasy, and might trigger some anxiety and stress levels. So, I decided not to recommend those books, because I didn't think they would be right during these stressful times, especially if you are someone who can be easily triggered. I believe these four books are extremely immersive without being triggering.

I hope everyone is staying healthy and trying to live as much of a normal life as possible during this time. Even though we have to be away from our loved ones to try to slow down the spread of the Coronavirus, I hope that we take advantage of this time to do things that make you happy. Stuff that you wouldn't normally have a lot of time to do while working, whether that be picking up a new hobby you've been interested in or reading more books. I for one will be reading a lot more, starting new TV shows, and will hopefully be able to do some more writing. What will you all do?

Thanks for reading!

XOXO,

Chynna Williams

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