LibGuides: Pandemic Plots & Playlists: Home

Pandemic Plots & Playlists

During this difficult time York University librarians and staff have your reading, viewing and listening needs covered. Reading a book can be a great distraction when the news becomes too much to bear (and reading for pleasure is linked to academic success too! This guide will link to e-versions of books, movies and songs from our online collection, as well as free versions of materials from online open repositories. Our "staff and student picks" and "what we're reading" posts may suggest materials beyond our collection as well. Enjoy and feel free to send us a suggestion or two, or just send us a note telling us what you are reading, watching, and/or listening to and we'll share it. Stay well.

Poetry Month Featured Poem

Try to Praise the Mutilated World

Try to praise the mutilated world.

Remember June's long days,

and wild strawberries, drops of rosé wine.

The nettles that methodically overgrow

the abandoned homesteads of exiles.

You must praise the mutilated world.

You watched the stylish yachts and ships;

one of them had a long trip ahead of it,

while salty oblivion awaited others.

You've seen the refugees going nowhere,

you've heard the executioners sing joyfully.

You should praise the mutilated world.

Remember the moments when we were together

in a white room and the curtain fluttered.

Return in thought to the concert where music flared.

You gathered acorns in the park in autumn

and leaves eddied over the earth's scars.

Praise the mutilated world

and the gray feather a thrush lost,

and the gentle light that strays and vanishes

and returns.

by Adam Zagajewski

Why Reading Matters

News articles on reading during times of social distancing and self-isolation:

Books for solace, perspective and connection during self-isolation (The Sunday Edition, CBC Radio)

Why Is Pandemic Fiction So Comforting Right Now? (vulture.com)

Our Fiction Collection

Have a Suggestion?

Leisure Reading titles are selected from various book lists, staff & student suggestions and trends in popular culture.

We welcome your recommendations or comments. Contact us via Twitter @ScottLibrary or email our English Literature Librarian at lisasl@yorku.ca.

This collaborative guide was written and compiled by Anica Bakalic-Radic and Lisa Sloniowski with musical contributions from Rob van Der Bliek.