Quarantine has you stuck at home all day? Consider it the perfect chance to catch up on all those books you’ve been meaning to read. The weather is lovely, and you may be finding yourself with plenty of free time. So, if you’re in the mood to sit outside with a good book, here’s some of my personal favorites to get you started.

Born a Crime by Trevor Noah 

In his amusing and poignant memoir, Trevor Noah recounts memories of his childhood in South Africa. His experiences both before and after the end of apartheid describe the racial tensions around him and his own search for identity and acceptance. Both entertaining and sincere, Noah’s book touches on issues of race, poverty, and family, genuinely portraying the world he grew up in while providing an intimate glimpse at the events that made him into the man he is today.

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

The original tale of teenage angst, which has provided adolescents both entertainment and validation since it was first published in 1951. This classic story of a young man struggling with alienation and disillusionment follows Holden Caulfield, a cynical and troubled seventeen-year-old, as he is kicked out of school and embarks on a search for meaning. If you’d prefer a more modern coming-of-age story, consider trying The Perks of Being a Wallflowerby Stephen Chbosky. Chbosky was greatly influenced by Holden’s story, so his novel is often considered a contemporary retelling of the classic.

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi

A memoir of Nafisi’s life as a professor during the tumultuous time of the Iranian Revolution and the years following,Reading Lolita in Tehranexplores the power of literature against oppression. Centered on her experiences teaching Western literature under the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly to a handful of young women in a secret book club, the beautifully written book will inspire you to pay more attention during your next English class. 

In Pursuit of Disobedient Women by Dionne Searcey

When she became the New York TimesWest Africa bureau chief, Dionne Searcey moved her Brooklyn-based family to Dakar. Her descriptions of the new environment she finds herself in as well as her important work in the field are captivating; yet the most astonishing aspect of this memoir is how Searcey skillfully weaves between the stories of women she meets in West Africa and her own story, connecting the issues of sexism and societal customs across cultures. She switches between long work trips interviewing Boko Haram victims and time spent at home trying to connect with her children, between reporting on girls forced into marriages and struggling to maintain a healthy marriage herself. Her memoir brings up important issues facing women and society, while attesting to the strength of women who, refusing to submit to the situations and lives handed to them, are standing up for themselves and their future.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

One of my all-time favorite books, this sweet story follows a young shepherd on his search for treasure. The lessons he learns about love, the universe, and himself are sure to make you smile and stay with you long after you turn the last page. Equally worth a read is Hippie, based on Paulo Coelho’s own life and travels in the sixties.

Enjoy your reading!