Quarantine Travels: 10 Books to Help You Escape Your House Without Leaving the Couch

England:  If you want to travel to England, what better way to do it than through the power of storytelling along the river Thames? At an ancient inn, the regulars pass the time by telling stories when a stranger bursts in with a lifeless girl’s body in his arms. Hours later, the girl wakes up and the people in the inn begin to question if her awakening is a miracle, magic, science, or something else entirely. To make matters more complex, the girl has fallen mute. Three families all come to claim her, believing she must be a relative they have lost. But all these families have secrets that must be exposed before the girl’s true identity can be discovered. Diane Setterfield has beautifully crafted an atmospheric myth that is sure to wash you away.

Nigeria:  Set in Nigeria, STAY WITH ME is a marriage story of parenthood and fertility, as well as the clash of modern vs. traditional ideas. Both Yejide and Akin tell the story of their marriage and the forces that threaten to destroy it. They have been happily married and in love for four years, and ever since they began their relationship they agreed that polygamy is not for them. That is until Yejide is still unable to get pregnant and Akin’s family shows up with another woman, introducing her as Akin’s second wife. Yejide is overcome with shock and jealousy, but her genuine love for her husband also shines through. Now, Yejide is out of time and knows the only way she can save her marriage is by getting pregnant. Yejide and Akin are both willing to do whatever it takes for Yejide to conceive, but is it really worth the cost?  

Sweden:  Fredrik Backman’s stories are always so filled with heart and humanity, but A MAN CALLED OVE is probably my favorite of them. Set in Sweden, A MAN CALLED OVE follows the story of Ove, who truly is a curmudgeon of an old man with strict rules and a short fuse. To everyone in the neighborhood, he’s considered the neighbor from hell. That is, until a friendly and very chatty new family moves in next door and, of course, accidentally flatten his mailbox. What follows next is a comical story of unexpected friendship as Ove’s tough exterior hides a story of sadness. Backman always impresses me with his ability to take a simple premise and explore it in an in-depth and profound way. He weaves heart and comedy and sadness together in a manner that becomes universally relatable to life.  

Mexico:  UMAMI is a rich multi-narrational story that centers around the effects of grief, heartbreak, and illness on families and communities. Still grappling with the mysterious death of her younger sister years earlier, 12-year-old Ana decides to plant a milpa garden in her backyard. As Ana digs her hands into the soil, the people in her community dig into their pasts as secrets seep out and questions bloom. Jufresa’s portrait of contemporary Mexico is honest and compelling and filled with equal measure of whimsy and heartbreak.   

France:  Read LIE WITH ME in Besson’s original French or pick up a copy of the translation—either way this novel will move you to pieces and stay with you forever. This is a short and lyrical story that follows Phillippe as he looks back on the hidden love affair he had with a boy named Thomas in his last year of high school. While the two boys rarely acknowledge each other in school, they stole time together and formed a passionate and unforgettable bond in this coming-of-age story.  

Armenia:  This is the beautiful story of an isolated village in Armenia and the people who live there. With the only connection to the outside world being an old telegraph wire, the tight-knit community sustains themselves with farming, cleaning, gossip, and making baklava. They support each other through good times and bad, but when the residents of Maran plot to bring two of their most stubbornly single people together, everything turns upside down. Like reading a series of folktales and fables, Abgaryan masterfully creates an atmospheric and enchanting story of resilience and friendship.  

Italy:  Set in Naples in the ‘50s and ‘60s, the story follows Lila, who is perfect, talented, and beautiful, but stuck working for her father’s shoe business, whereas Elena has a chance to escape her life through education. On its surface, it’s the story of two best friends, but beyond that, it is the story of a neighborhood and the story of a nation. With a large cast of characters and events, MY BRILLIANT FRIEND is a sweeping ride and a revolving door as you dive deeper and deeper into Elena’s and Lila’s relationship and the heart of a friendship that connects them.  

Poland:  This is a book of short stories, of scenes, of images, and thoughts in dedication to the traveler. Whether a body in motion or on physical transportation, FLIGHTS is about movement. As each story unfolds, each begs the questions of where am I from and where am I going? Traveling across time and place, Tokarczuk explores movement, freedom, and human decisions through stories: a returning to poison her terminally ill high school sweetheart, a child who suddenly disappears and then reappears, and so many more. All of these haunting tales circle each other to create this unforgettable collection.  

Argentina:  I couldn't agree more with the description that this novel is a “living ghost story,” as it explores the deadly reality of toxins and desperate families. This story immediately draws you in and Scweblin does an incredible job in painting a feeling of dread over her imagery. With an air of strong psychological menace,FEVER DREAM is the stuff of nightmares as Amanda lies dying in a rural hospital. She’s visited by a boy named David; he is not her son and she is not his mother. But together they tell an incredible story of broken souls.

Korea:  THE VEGETARIAN is a story of metamorphosis and self-discovery while breaking from societal norms and social customs. After Yeong-hye is plagued with nightmares of blood, she sets out to purge her mind and decides to cut out all meat from her diet. Embracing her plant-life existence is a shocking detour from her society's customs that leads to scandal, abuse, and estrangement. This is a dark contemporary novel with so many layers as you delve into Yeong-hye’s fears and nightmares.