While we are all doing our part to flatten the curve, we have been spending a large portion of our time indoors. Many of us are trying to use this time productively. Even if we cannot physically leave our houses, we can still take an adventure beyond our realm. The books that I have chosen for my top six quarantine reads cover a wide range of topics and voices.

1. We Were Liars - E. Lockhart
★★☆☆☆

Cadence Sinclair Eastman was more evolved in her thinking compared to many female leads I’ve encountered. Her emotions became numb as the novel went on, which was a direct contrast to her seemingly perfect life. The end was such a twist and really made me think about what it means to be real and what reality means.

2. The Lovely Reckless - Kami Garcia
★★☆☆☆

This book may look like your average coming of age novel, but it quickly develops into a mystery novel, as the reader works with Frankie to discover who killed her boyfriend. I thought it was very unique and showed the characters’ perseverance.

3. Cinnamon Toast and the End Of The World - Janet E. Cameron
★★★☆☆

This book is quite progressive, considering its small-town feel in 1987. The character struggles with his sexuality before it was acceptable to be out. The characters were very relatable and felt real. I will give this book extra points because the main character is Jewish.

4. We Are The Ants - Shaun David Hutchinson
★★★☆☆

The perspective the main character Henry Denton gave was so unique to his character. Him wanting to be able to completely move on, but still being tethered to his own guilt is not an easy emotion to convey, and the author did it remarkably well.

5. Dangerous Lies - Becca Fitzpatrick
★★★★☆

I thought this book was very well written. It was easy to feel as though I was in the book itself. Young adult novels tend to stick to cliches of the genre, but this book really surprised me. The character wanted to give up many times but was able to persevere even when she felt like she would never be happy again.

6. The Painted Girls - Cathy Marie Buchanan
★★★★★

Even though this book is set in the late 1800s, the book dealt with timeless themes, such as family hardship, and working towards success. This book was based on the sculpture, Little Dancer Aged Fourteen which made the story even more fascinating. The story goes back and forth between the little dancer herself, Marie Van Goethem, and her older sister Antoinette. They each face their own set of trials and tribulations and lean on each other for support. The book centers around family, sisterhood, loss, but most importantly, the devotion and spirit to not give up.