Having to stay in is likely driving you crazy, but whether you’re a horror fan, a sucker for a good romance or in the mood to go on a fantasy adventure, one of these journey-themed books is sure to be the escape that you need.
- “Gulliver’s Travels” by Jonathan Swift: This classic novel evaluates and criticizes politics and human nature in a witty portrayal of Gulliver’s discovery of new fictional civilizations. Providing important insights about power, ethics and how we view ourselves and others, this story is both imaginative and relevant for today’s readers.
- “The Mist” by Stephen King: If you’re looking for something to give you the creeps, “The Mist,” one of Stephen King’s early novels, hits the spot. It’s up to the reader to decide if the dystopian monsters outside in the mist are truly more terrifying than the human monsters trying to survive inside a grocery store that quickly becomes a small civilization.
- “The Map That Leads to You” by J.P. Monninger: Full of references to famous sights and incredible imagery, this romance novel takes the reader on a trip across Europe, however, it is perhaps the emotional journey that the protagonist takes — discovering important truths about herself through her friendships and a budding love story — that is more prevalent than the stamps she receives on her passport.
- “Getting Mother’s Body” by Suzan-Lori Parks: Reminiscent of “As I Lay Dying” by William Faulkner, this powerful novel reveals the systemic and overt racism of the 1960s through the Beede family’s quest to unbury Willa Mae Beede while showcasing truly tender moments that reveal the love the family members have for one another and the bravery these individuals show in the face of adversity.
- “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien: A token of fantasy literature, this prequel to “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy provides the perfect fantasy escape from troubling times and can be enjoyed as a stand-alone story or as part of Tolkien’s epic story of the ring.