Eight Extremely Functional Books that Can Help You Get Through This—and Beyond

I’ve always thought of books as tools. Every book serves some sort of function. In the big picture, the book may entertain, or inspire, or instruct. The books I list below have done all three functions for me in the past, and each has also benefited me in a specific way.

I’ve selected them because they may be especially useful during this time. I’ve listed them by function—eight ways to cope and even thrive during your enforced isolation:

Improve your habits

Whether you intend to or not, you will acquire new habits now that you’re stuck at home. You might as well have a say in what those habits are. Atomic Habits, by James Clear, will show you how to break bad habits and instill good ones. I previously reviewed it here.

Focus on what’s essential

While it may seem like you have more time on your hands, it’s so easy to fritter it away with trivialities. Essentialism, by Greg McKeown, will help you figure out what’s important and then cut out everything that does not directly contribute to that. I previously reviewed it here.

Work deeper

Chances are, you have much better control of your own schedule, without random people popping their heads into your cubicle or office. Now is a perfect time to improve your own productivity and creativity by immersing yourself deeply into your work, and Cal Newport shows you how in Deep Work.

Deal with stress

Stress is another constant that you can’t avoid, but did you know that stress can be good for you? The Upside of Stress, by Kelly McGonigal will show you why and how. I previously reviewed it here.

Put things in perspective

There is no better time than now to become acquainted with stoic philosophy. You should eventually learn about it from Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, but The Obstacle is the Way, by Ryan Holiday, is a very accessible starting point.

Give back

When everybody is hurting, some give and some take. Giving is better, not only morally, but also personally, but in Give and Take, Adam Grant gives solid advice on how to get more by giving more through networking, collaborating, developing talent, and communicating. I previously reviewed it here.

Filter out fact from fiction

We’re being flooded with a torrent of misinformation, disinformation, and outright lies, and unfortunately our minds register the bad news stronger than the good. Factfulness, by the late Hans Rosling, will give you a mental toolkit to think more clearly—and realistically. I previously reviewed it here.

Get better

If you plan on taking time to learn a new skill or perfect an existing one, Practice Perfect can show you 42 best practices to improve you practice. I previously reviewed it here.