In the midst of the pandemic, many of us are experiencing feelings of depression and a lack of connection with loved ones. In this article we’ve created a new list of books that everyone will find value in, especially in these trying times. Be sure to bookmark this article for future reference. If you haven’t checked out our first book list, click here to view that article.

1. “Lost Connections” by Johann Hari  

Depression and anxiety are two invisible foes that many of us have been battling with. Whether you’ve experienced it before and/or during the pandemic, the feeling they generate weighs heavily on our shoulders with each passing day. These feelings have without a doubt been heightened in the midst of the pandemic and many are struggling to find proper ways to cope. Lost Connections by Johann Hari serves as a beacon of hope for those who struggle with depression and anxiety. Hari explains the root cause of depression and how one can become consumed by it over time. He also opens up about his own struggle with depression and anxiety, and explained coping methods that caused more harm than good and vice versa.

This award winning book has been praised by legends such as Oprah,  Elton John and so many more. Hari challenges readers to dive deep into what they know about depression based on what society labels it as. He also challenges the role of antidepressants and offers healthier and more effective options. Taking the time to read this book during the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic can prove to be extremely beneficial for readers across the world. The dramatic changes of everyday life as we know it has shifted in an instant and people are struggling to adapt. Read this book to take control of your mental health and steer it in the right direction using healthy and effective methods.

2. “You Are a Spiritual Being Having a Human Experience” by Bob Frissell

In this book, Bob Frissell challenges readers to take a deeper look into the human experience. You Are a Human Being Having a Spiritual Experience allows readers to dive deep into the human consciousness and the world around them. Oftentimes, too many people allow themselves to be limited by their self-constructed ideas about themselves, people and the world. This limitation cuts deeper than what meets the eye. This mindset hinders growth within ourselves and this effect can ripple into our relationship with those around us and our view of the world. Frissell introduces the concept of creating your own reality through conscious efforts, that will in effect, improve the reality of the real world around us.

The book helps readers connect with their multidimensional selves and explains how to redesign their inner worldview and life. The Bodhi Tree Book Review says, “Frissell shows us how to move consciously through our fears and limitations to the realization that everything we need is within ourselves,”.This book runs for only $15.95 and is a must-have for book collections around the world.

3. “Attached” by Amir Levine M.D & Rachel S.F Heller, M.A

Attached explores the world of attachment theory. In the wake of the pandemic, there have been many reports of divorces throughout the world. According to BBC, “76% of divorces (in lockdown) have come from women,” (Savage, Maddy). Many are finding time with their spouses during quarantine have caused fundamental differences in relationships to float to the surface, resulting in poorer connections or ultimately separation in the end. Attached allows readers to explore the various ways we as human beings form connections with others through various attachment styles. These styles enable us to identify the relationship we have with ourselves, others and the world around us. They challenge us to dive deep into our childhoods to pinpoint how and when we developed the mindset we navigate with during our adult years.

Being able to identify these attachment styles allow us to break free from the chains of trauma and live a life that honors our personal emotions while also being sensitive to the experiences and emotions of others. It’s important to note that emotions themselves are not the issue. The issue is unprocessed emotions. Unprocessed emotions have a way of inviting themselves into delicate spaces, making forming genuine relationships quite difficult. In understanding how you connect with others and events in your life, we will be able to cleanse our lives from negative energy to form strong relationships that can weather any storm or pandemic.

4. “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

Having a positive mindset goes further than one may assume. Oftentimes, we believe that honoring our emotions without any sort of boundaries is the best way to be emotionally balanced. Of course, it is crucial that you are honest with yourself and others about how you may be feeling at a particular moment in time, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s important to understand that in life we will be faced with many challenges, and that having boundaries in honoring our emotions is critical. This is so because mindset overcomes emotions.

Take for example generalized anxiety. If we continuously honored our invasive emotions and feelings without restriction, we would drive ourselves mad, staying lost in our minds in an abyss of relentless and not so kind thoughts. The best choice of action we can take in the wake of intrusive thoughts, is to take small steps to help cleanse our minds from being overstimulated. Those baby steps are the foundation of improvement and serve a bigger purpose than we assume. Positive thoughts are the building blocks for future development and improvements. In Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s book, he dives deep into the power of positivity and how it can drastically change our lives. In the midst of the pandemic, this mindset is crucial for us all. Take control of your thoughts and live a more positive lifestyle.

5. “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up” by Marie Kondo

Our last book on the list is none other than the Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. In the wake of the pandemic, we are spending more time at home due to quarantining. Like with our spouses as mentioned earlier, this time has allowed the relationship we have with our home to surface. How do you feel in the space you call your home? Does it feel congested, cluttered, or perhaps a bit stale? If you checked off any of those options, chances are the pandemic has heightened those feelings due to the fact that we have been confined to our homes. What can we do to shift the energy that radiates within our home? Marie Kondo teaches her readers to do just that.

Kondo is a renowned Japanese home expert who specializes in organization and the art of minimalism. She has earned a show on Netflix that showcases her skills as she travels around the country to help homeowners with spaces that are in distress. The foundation for her method is that if a particular item doesn’t bring you joy, it is best to discard it. This filtration system allows for only essential items in the home to remain present, turning your home into a space that's filled with only the things that bring you peace and comfort. During COVID- 19 this energy is what we all crave. Check out Marie Kondo’s book to discover how you can transform your home into a space that provides you with the utmost comfort and care during these trying times.

Works Cited

Savage, Maddy. “Why the Pandemic Is Causing Spikes in Break-Ups and Divorces.” BBC Worklife, BBC, 6 Dec. 2020,

www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20201203-why-the-pandemic-is-causing-spikes-in-break-ups-and-divorces.