With cold waves sweeping the country, many of us have already succumbed to illnesses. For this list, we've compiled 5 books you could curl up with while on a sickbed. 

Nicholas Rozarior Chelera

Shahriar Kabir

Charulipi Prokashon, 2006

In my pre-teens, I read a wide range of disturbing books to cope with my sick days. Back then, it did not require a lot for a book to be discomfiting, rather a particular element of intrigue was certainly enough to provoke alarming scenarios for my late-night dreams. Nicholas Rozarior Chelera by Shahriar Kabir partially fits the category of my previous shenanigans. If I had to flip through the pages of this young-adult, adventure novel now, I would—in hindsight—laugh out loud. A nostalgic rendition of our school-time memories—scouting, camping, and the whole nine yards—Nicholas Rozarior Chelera is the ultimate pick-me-up for adults and children alike. 

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper

Phaedra Patrick

MIRA, 2016

It has been a year since Miriam's passing. Sixty-nine-year old Arthur Pepper has adhered to his daily routine of waking up, dressing in his grey slacks and mustard sweater, watering Frederica—his beloved fern—almost religiously, just as he used to when his wife was alive. However, something inside him shifts on the first anniversary of Miriam's death, a piece of antique—an exquisite gold charm bracelet that he had never seen—compels him to question the reality of his wife's life, a narrative he was not around to witness. What ensues is a curious discovery of hope and healing, trudging through the corners from London to Paris, India to the farthest depths of his own being. 

The Last Chance Library 

Freya Sampson

Berkley, 2021

In a quaint English village, June Jones, a gentle-hearted librarian, has spent 30 years wrapped in the tranquil embrace of her library. Among the shelves filled with books and memories of her mother, June has found comfort and solace, away from the hum of the outside world. But when her beloved library—her sanctuary—faces the threat of closure, she is compelled to step out of her shell and defend it. Gathering the courage she did not know she had, June joins forces with a spirited, diverse group of villagers, all bound by their love for the library. Through their shared fight, June begins to understand the beauty of connection and community. As the campaign to save the library unfolds, she discovers the kind of friendships that can change a life, and perhaps even help her discover a new chapter in her own story. 

Pakdondi

Leela Majumdar

Ananda Publishers Pvt Ltd., 2007

Perusing a non-fiction, memoir while you are bed-ridden sounds oddly relaxing. There is no place for you to go, or rather, there is no place that you could go given your body's worn condition, and neither are you interested in hour-long phone calls. With ample time on hand to contemplate your plight, it is somewhat reassuring, and reading Pakdondi by Leela Majumdar might serve that exact purpose. Leela Majumdar spent her childhood in a dreamy abode called "High Winds" in the city of Shillong. From a young age, she captivated her siblings with her art of storytelling, weaving tales that would hold them spellbound. However, this was only the beginning; she soon decided in her heart that if she were to write, it would be for children. Her life would be dedicated to them, both in her words and her purpose.

The Authenticity Project 

Clare Pooley

Penguin Books, 2020

Humans are not honest with each other—they are vain, surreptitious, inconsiderate. Or perhaps, they are simply afraid of authentic conversations. With a view in mind, for humans to come forth with their unreserved feelings, Julian Jessop, an eccentric, lonely artist, one day leaves a plain, green journal in his local café. The owner, extremely tidy and highly productive Monica (picture Monica from F.R.I.E.N.D.S), upon encountering the journal, leaves a covert entry of her own, instigating a rite of passage for other customers to take a look at the diary and leave a note as well. Incredibly quirky and charmingly humorous, this fictional piece follows a delightful cast of characters that will lift your mood while you recover.

Nur-E-Jannat Alif is a gender studies major and part-time writer who dreams of authoring a book someday. Find her at @literatureinsolitude on Instagram or send her your book/movie/television recommendations at nurejannatalif@gmail.com.