A Different Kind of Normal
Books About Pandemics Recommendations from Librarians
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
The Georgia Flu, which kills people in a matter of hours rather than days, has wiped out most of humanity across the world and the world has forever changed. The survivors mourn those they have lost while trying to heal and survive. What I love about this novel is that amidst all the chaos and sorrow of this pandemic, the author shows that art helps and heals (much like bibliotherapy). A troupe of traveling actors and musicians travel from town to town performing concerts and reciting Shakespeare, trying to restore hope. When you read this, you will see that we need art. We need Netflix. We need music. We need books. But, most importantly, we need each other.
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
TW: gore & violenceAfter the Tox puts the Raxter school for girls under quarantine, its students have nothing to do but wait for the promised cure. Living on an island, cut off from the rest of the world, Hetty and her friends’ only hope of staying safe is staying inside. But with the Tox infecting everyone, nowhere is safe. And when Hetty’s best friend Byatt goes missing, she takes the ultimate risk to find her.
This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada
This book has a really cool twist on pandemics: humanity is threatened by a deadly plague that has people exploding into toxic clouds. But this book has a lot more than just the dystopian pandemic twist as it shows a world that’s rather technologically advanced, blending the post-apocalyptic feel with the perfect amount of science fiction, with our main character, Cat, being a genius coder. Not to mention the big plot twist will completely blow your mind. This is a complete series; book two is This Cruel Design and book three is This Vicious Cure.
The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker
Everything in Julia’s life seems normal, until they announce on the news that the rotation of the earth is slowing. Days and nights lengthen, tides and gravity are affected and all life, be it birds or humans are thrown off. In this new era, Julia is still growing and changing, just like the world around her. Her parents are fighting, friends are acting in ways she didn’t expect, and first love still happens even at the end of the world as we know it. Librarians love this book because of the similarities between the everything-is-the-same-but-not-quite situation, and our current world. Life still goes on, friends and parents fight and romance happens even when the world as we know it comes to an end.
In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters (real pandemic)
This is fascinating portrayal of an era that is often overlooked. Set against the backdrop of the 1918 influenza epidemic, this tragic love story will break your heart and make you believe in ghosts.
More Pandemic Recommendations
More Pandemic Recommendations
Cover Image from The Atlantic