HOME > Books >

INSPIRING BOOKS TO READ DURING LOCKDOWN

Written by Menswear Style in Books on the 30th April 2020

We plunged into mass quarantine, and unwillingly became the characters of one fantastic thriller which could be called “A Life during a Pandemic”. No concerts, no football matches, no pub crawls, just queues into supermarkets. Lockdown is not only a necessary measure to stop the virus from spreading, but also a great opportunity to dedicate some time to your self-development. We finally have time to watch our favourite TV series, start meditation courses or read a book we always put aside. For this blog post we consulted with the founder of social media agency from Leeds, Yolka Digital, and compiled a selection of exciting books that would stop that boredom from coming your way during the lockdown. Read inspiring books, wash your hands with soap whilst singing along to ‘Happy Birthday’ and take care of yourself and your loved ones.

Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott

It’s not the typical book a man would be expected to read, but it really touches upon our feelings as the story in 'Five Feet Apart' is almost identical to the one we’re experiencing during this pandemic. It’s a love story of two teenagers whose illness does not allow them to approach each other closer than five feet. In the book you will find an answer to the question of what to do with your emotions. It masterfully describes the feelings of young people, those that almost every teenager encounters. This book will give motivation to everyone who is sick and struggling to stay positive. Ordinary people though will look at the world and life around them from a different angle. What is more important, this whole plot is based on a real-life story. The writer, Rachael Lippincott, was inspired to create the novel by blogger Claire Wineland. The girl who died after a lung transplant at the age of 22, devoted her whole life to fighting the disease. There is also a movie with the same name, and if you haven’t watched it yet, read the book first.

Women by Charles Bukowski

Imagine that you are sat alone in your local pub drinking beer, when suddenly a bearded, fifty-year-old guy is sat next to you. He is talking to you about anything and everything at the same time: about life, about childhood, about politics, about women, about sex, etc. For you, it’s so easy and interesting to listen, it carries you away and, the next thing you know, you’re wanting to buy him a beer or two. If only he would stay and continue his story. If you haven’t read books by Bukowski you might not like his style, and maybe read some of his other books before you read this one.

The Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk

This is a fantastic book for entrepreneurs, business owners and start-uppers by a famous American businessman who loves to hustle, Gary Vaynerchuk. This book shows that word of mouth has transferred to social media and it’s very important to make sure your business knows what your clients are saying about you there. There is no way any business can prosper in 2020 without being on social media. 'The Thank You Economy' will also help you learn to correctly combine traditional media and social media in a marketing strategy in order to organise an ideal “date” with a consumer and win their heart over. Don’t follow the example of Primark which neglected the importance of eCommerce in their business model, and don’t ignore the importance of social media.

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

This book tells the story of a strong woman who is trying to fight the politics of the state, which oppresses big businesses. You will learn about the will and extraordinary perseverance with which she opposes this. This novel can hardly be called an adventure, but it captivates with its plot and does not let go until the very end. We would recommend 'Atlas Shrugged' to everyone. It is read by entrepreneurs and politicians. It changes our view of the world and gives us a greater understanding of how everything functions. The book is complex, and you may put it aside, but in a few years you will return to it and find that you can make sense of it.

The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Sun Tzu, a Chinese commander who lived in the days of Confucius, wrote 'The Art of War' almost 2500 years ago. This book is not only a storehouse of military wisdom, but also full of philosophical tips which people could implement in modern days. Some of them include: Always be ready for a battle; If you want peace, get ready for a war; Know your advantages and disadvantages; Assess the enemy correctly. The book is recommended by many professors at universities when studying 'Strategic Management', but I believe it’s a must read for everyone as the laws of nature and laws of war never change.

I genuinely hope you’re going to love this set of books, whether you decide to read them online, order them from an online shop or listen to them on your phone. If you love this list, feel free to share this article with your friends on social media.