Spending lots of time reading while stuck in the house

By Desiree Pingol

It's strange not going to the library for my next book or shift. What's more strange is I actually miss school. It's hard to find something good amidst the anxiety everyone is going through because of the pandemic. Whether it's spending time with family or talking to a friend, it's important to hold on to something that gives you hope. In some cases, I find solace in reading a captivating book.

Stuck in the house, I have been spending copious amounts of time reading. Since the library is closed, I have brought more attention to online books in Bridges which can be found in the digital collection in the public library's website. You'll find that the website has plenty to offer for free.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is my current read. I plan on reading Edgar Allan Poe's stories, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, and, if I can find them somewhere online, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and the Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys. Books are my gateway to a different world. They are a distraction that I'm sure everyone needs every once in a while, especially now.

My family's and many others' lives are greatly affected by the crisis the world is struggling with. I hope that everyone affected by the coronavirus finds solace in the small things in life and keep hope close to their hearts.