There’s nothing quite like the pleasure of escaping into a good story, and these days, when most all of us are spending more quiet hours at home, it’s a great opportunity to dive in. Reading books can expand our minds into a different realm of being—whether it’s an escape into an adventure-filled fiction novel, a small-town mystery, or a dramatic noir. In celebration of World Book Day on April 23, we’ve asked our co-pilots to share their favorite reads. As a team full of avid readers, we’re excited to share the work of some of our most beloved authors.
April also marks Stress Awareness Month, and reading is a great tool to wind down and relieve everyday tensions. Studies show that reading can reduce stress by up to 68%. There’s no better way to settle your mind and draw inspiration than to acknowledge the simple pleasures of reading a great story. So check out our recommendations for good reads and add a few to your list!
#Scratchspiration
John Lennon: The Life by Philip Norman
“I’m really enjoying this one. I’ve always been a huge Beatles fan, but reading such an in-depth story about one of the most creative musicians to ever live…it’s definitely taken my mind on an exciting journey throughout this quarantine.”
–Lexi Herosian
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
“I really love a good suspenseful thriller, especially one with flashbacks. I just read Final Girls by the same author and absolutely loved it so I knew I’d love this one. His books have a lot of suspense and twists, which make them pretty hard to put down!”
–Shannon Mullins
Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami
“One of my all-time favorite authors. He’ll catch you off guard with his quirky cast of characters, absurd plotline and unique writing rhythm. This novel is a murder mystery coupled with his usual metaphysical musings.”
–Maria Bruk
The Collapsing Empire (The Interdependency, Book 1) by John Scalzi
“A hilarious and profane space opera about how a small band of heroes work to save civilization in the shadow of an intergalactic natural disaster.”
–Charlie Wong
The Dutch House by Ann Patchet
“I love this book because it kept me on my toes the whole time. There were lots of plot twists and turns, and I never expected any of them. I love a book full of surprises!”
–Laurel Case
Bedlam Stacks by Natasha Pulley
“This is an incredibly good historical fantasy, which sets a fine line between magic and reality set in 1800s Peru. I recommend it because it’s a genre and setting I’d never read before, and the writing transported me alongside the main characters.”
–Kara Mongell
Cooking for Mr. Latte by Amanda Hesser
“A must read for foodies and those looking to expand their recipe repertoire!”
–Anya Nelson
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
“It won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. It’s a haunting book set mainly in occupied France in World War II, detailing the struggles and determination of a young blind French girl whose life has gone from pleasant orderliness to chaos and isolation. It’s oddly comforting and encouraging in that it serves as a point of comparison for the situation we all find ourselves in during this pandemic.”
–Michael Blumfield
Black Lamb and Grey Falcon by Rebecca West
“This is a travelogue and a history book about Yugoslavia in the years just prior to World War ll. Rebecca West is an amazing writer who weaves together incredible landscape descriptions, a ton of history, and great character sketches.”
–Matthew Grant
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
“I recommend this book with my whole heart. It’s incredibly human and beautifully touches on grief, and the coming of age. It has dark twists and an enthralling, unexpected end. The characters are so vividly described that they become mesmerizing. I had a hard time putting this one down.”
–Julia White
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
“If you love a good sentence, you will love this book: ‘When she closed the door behind her afternoon guests, and let the quiet smile die from her lips, she began the preparation of food her husband found impossible to eat.’”
