The Best Books to Read While Social Distancing

Many seniors must continue to keep their distance this summer to avoid COVID exposure; however, they may be growing weary of excessive screen time and want to switch things up to stimulate their minds. Fortunately, a good book is the best way to escape reality from the safety and comfort of home. To help occupy their time while social distancing, here are some great book recommendations for seniors to enjoy by the pool, in the AC, or have their caretakers read aloud.

Uplifting Travel Stories

If interested in reading about how other people, both real and fictional, have been able to gain perspective and transcend while getting out and seeing the world, then consider the following recommendations.

• Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert – The 2006 memoir (that was adapted into a 2010 film starring Julia Roberts) follows author Gilbert’s post-divorce trip around the world. The book has inspired millions to search for their own best selves at home or abroad.
• Wild by Cheryl Strayed – Wild is the real-life story of author Cheryl Strayed’s quest to hike over 1,000 miles from California to Washington by herself. Adapted into a 2014 film starring Reese Witherspoon, Strayed’s memoir reflects on everything that led to her decision and the journey itself, and why she chose to pursue this as a first-time backpacker.
• The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho – A work of fiction, this story follows a young shepherd named Santiago whose prophetic dream leads him on an adventure through the Sahara desert to find treasures buried both within the Egyptian Pyramids, and within his soul.
• Life of Pi by Yann Martel – A beloved tale of tale of faith, friendship, and perseverance, Life of Pi shows how a solitary journey can provide plenty of time for reflection and profound personal growth. The story follows the titular hero — a lone survivor of a disaster at sea — as he navigates a vast ocean on a single row boat accompanied by a fearsome Bengal tiger.

Popular Book Series

Tales of escapism can come in many forms but always have a page-turning, hard-to-put-down quality. The following book series certainly fill that requirement with their intriguing mysteries, charming characters, picturesque visuals, and fantastic adventures.

• The IQ series by Joe Ide – Four novels make up this series (IQ, Righteous, Wrecked, and Hi Five) and they offer a fresh, exciting take on the detective thriller genre.
• The Crazy Rich Asians trilogy by Kevin Kwan – This satirical series contains three books (Crazy Rich Asians, China Rich Girlfriend, and Rich People Problems) and proves that even with all the wealth and luxury in the world, there will still be plenty of family and romance issues to deal with.
• The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling – The iconic Harry Potter series spans seven books and offers a magical glimpse into a wizarding world that our hero, Harry Potter, finds himself in for the first time.
• The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins – A young adult series that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay are all thrilling books that show one teenage girl’s quest to start a revolution and put a stop to the deadly annual game forced upon her society.

Challenging Novels

Many books are hailed as classics or the best of their times but end up being very long and challenging, so you never get around to reading them. Now is the perfect time to give these difficult but rewarding books a shot.

• The Neapolitan novels by Elena Ferrante – This series of four novels details the lifelong friendship between two women, Lila and Elena, and the profound effect they have on each other’s lives, from childhood to old age.
• War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy – Tolstoy’s sweeping novel that takes place during and beyond the French invasion of Russia offers a glimpse into humanity from many different perspectives. Boasting over 1,000 pages and over 500 characters, this story will take some effort to delve into but is surprisingly not laborious to read.
• Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace – Clocking in at slightly over 1,000 pages, David Foster Wallace’s 1996 novel requires quite a bit of effort to get into, but once you do, you’re able to feast in the delightfully entertaining world of its eccentric characters in an unconventional style.
• The Travelers by Regina Porter – This winding saga tracks the interwoven lives of two families — one black, one white — across six decades of American turmoil. It portrays how our choices can have life-altering effects on future generations of our families.

Book a Virtual Tour at Encore

Caring for a senior can be an honorable yet daunting endeavor. If you need additional assistance maintaining a safe and healthy environment for your loved one, consider Encore at Avalon Park — an assisted living community where senior residents receive the best care possible. See for yourself why we’re the premier senior living solution in the Central Florida area. Contact us today or call 407-270-7500 to schedule your socially-distanced virtual tour.