Books to lift your spirits during Covid
Psychologists and psychiatrists are reporting as much as four times more cases of depression since March of 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. Much of the increased stress and depression stems from people losing their jobs, losing their savings and, worse yet, losing family members and friends due to death from Covid. Those lucky enough not to have experienced drastic losses are nonetheless suffering from social isolation and uncertain futures. Professionals tell us to exercise, meditate, help others and READ! Yes, reading at least 30 minutes every day can be therapeutic. What kinds of books? Well, any book should do, but the following choices are some of the ones featured in The Washington Post online newsletter.
Redhead by the Side of the Road,” by Anne Tyler
Anne Tyler’s new book sounds like another rendition of A Man Called Ove according to all the reviews. And what could be a better ‘feel good’ book than Ove?
Speaking of Fredrik Backman, he has written a book about an inept bank robber who accidentally walks into an apartment open house and takes the attendees hostage. If that scenario doesn’t sound funny to you, just think about Ove.
The Authenticity Project, by Clare Pooley
An unlikely support group is formed when a lonely old man spills his innermost thoughts onto a notebook and leaves it in a coffee shop. Other customers find the notebook and add their sad stories to it creating a sort of serial journal.
It’s Not All Downhill from Here, by Terry McMillan
McMillan — whose previous books include Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back — is adept at celebrating the power of female friendships. Her new novel centers on Loretha, who has to reinvent her identity after unexpectedly becoming a widow.
Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, created the Born This Way Foundation to help make the world a kinder place. Their new anthology spotlights 51 stories by young changemakers: teens who created movements to teach their peers to accept themselves and those around them who have mental health challenges. Channel Kindness is a wonderful antidote to this year’s division and hatred. Sounds like the book might make a great gift for a teenager!
