In order for the COVID-19 spread to be stopped, the government has established a quarantine period. We believe reading to be a great activity while spending time at home. It is a way to be amused while avoiding to infect somebody or to be infected.
It is also a very healthy activity for our mental health since reading helps reducing stress through focusing, disconnecting our brain from any other stimulus.
Being housebound causes boredom and apathy which is often not solved by a screen. It is necessary to carry out an activity which demands our concentration and time.
From the brain health’s point of view, reading is very positive since the more you read, the more neuronal connections are produced and hence it increases the reader’s cognitive reserve.
On the other hand, we live in a more virtual world and we appreciate the more profound, non-interrupted reading of a book written on paper and the feeling of being in contact with a real object. However, virtual reading is more popular nowadays.
ONLINE PUBLISHERS
Some publishers and writers are offering their books online for free.
Planeta de Libros (Book planet)
Publishers from the Planeta Group also wanted to join this initiative and will not only share free e-books during the quarantine but will also suggest some activities.
Blackie Books
This publisher has started the initiative called «Casa Blackie» (Blackie House) in Instagram where they will share free e-books of their authors in PDF-format.
BOOK REVIEW PLATFORMS
Thanks to the initiative of these publishers, you will surely find many books. How to pick one? To recommend a book is not an easy task without knowing the other person’s preferences.
For this reason, we have prepared for you several platforms to help you choose the right reading.
Goodreads
Goodreads is a readings indexing community to allow users to choose books and create their own digital book selection.
It also allows their members to create groups for book and author suggestions and debate.
Lecturalia
Lecturalia is a community of book readers, comments and reviews in which opinions are shared in other to exchange experiences.
Reading has always been a haven during difficult times. Reading is surely something you can start if what you want is to spend a more comfortable time during the quarantine.
