One thing is for certain, this is one crazy March challenge. I never thought my daily posting would turn out like this, but for these last few days as the world is gripped by uncertainty and fear, I’m more determined than ever to turn to the things that bring a sense of calm and comfort in these insane, and troubling times, and to share them with you. We are all slowly being asked to self isolate. Something I’ve become quite good at in New York, and given the extra time and space I’m spending at home, I’m compiling my list of books that I’ll be reading during these next few weeks.
Nothing is certain at this point other than taking life day by day. As we all slowly become gripped by fear and panic, there are some certainties that give me some hope and an anchor on this crazy boat ride. As a continuation of my previous post, I’ve put together my top 10 Desert Island Books, to accompany you dear readers while you’re at home, some are in English some are Greek and some in spanish, and all are a great way to stay at home and catch up on some much needed ( no screen time )
My 10 — Desert Island Books for Covid-19 reading list: Along with: The complete works of Shakespeare.
– A Jane Austen Education by : William Deresiewicz
– The Penelopiad by: Margaret Atwood
– On Love by: Alain De Botton
– Εγκώμιον Απραξίας — Φρανσουα Ζυλλιεν
– Κωμικοί Έρωτες — Μίλαν Κούντερα
– Heroes by : Stephen Fry
– Just Kids— by: Patti Smith
– Water Dancer — by: Ta- Nehisi Coates
– Find me — by: André Aciman
– Leonard Cohen — The complete poems and songs.
The list grows longer and longer in my mind but I had to cut this to my 10 current picks. And I leave you with a verse from Leonard Cohen’s poem// song:
OUR LADY OF SOLITUDE:
All summer long she touched me
She gathered in my soul
From many a thorn, from many thickets
Her fingers, like a weaver’s
Quick and cool
And the light came from her body
And the night went through her grace
All summer long she touched me
And I knew her, I knew her
Face to face
And her dress was blue and silver
And her words were few and small
She is the vessel of the whole wide world
Mistress, oh mistress, of us all
Dear Lady; Queen of Solitude
I thank you with my heart
for keeping me so close to thee
while so many, oh so many, stood apart
And the light came from her body
And the night went through her grace
All summer long she touched me
I knew her, I knew her
Face to face
Eleana Kouneli 