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Quarantines, whether self-imposed or mandated, can be trying times. Many people around the globe are facing that reality at this very hour. Entertainment and activities to pass the time are essential to keeping your sanity. Here are some books to read and other ideas to keep your wits about you.
Books
Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card: This is an amazing book and series for both adults and older children alike. It is a sci-fi trilogy that almost anyone should enjoy.
Great Expectations, Charles Dickens: Classic piece of British literature that is worth a read for those who avoided it in High School.
Orthodoxy, G.K. Chesterton: One of the best books of 20th century, Orthodoxy is a classic of Christian apologetics.
Presidential Leadership in Political Time, Stephen Skowronek: If you like history and politics, this is a different sort of book you are sure to enjoy. It uses a method called American Political Development to look at past American presidents based on when they serve in political sequence.
Address Unknown, Kathrine Taylor: Political fiction is often used to warn readers of what the author perceives to be a grave threat to society. Taylor uses this largely forgotten short story to alert Americans to the dangers of Nazism.
TV Series
Boardwalk Empire (HBO): This early 20th century mob series will keep your interest until the last episode. Definitely do not watch this one around children.
The Americans (FX): A Cold War era drama that will peak the interest of many, The Americans is a series that follows a family of Soviet spies living clandestinely in the United States.
Man in the High Castle (Amazon Prime): This is one that will make you think and keep you on your toes. It is a thrilling look at an alternate post-WWII reality.
Chernobyl (HBO): Chernobyl is more than just a short series about a nuclear disaster in 1986. It covers a lot of the political drama and Soviet bureaucracy that surrounded the crisis.
Games
Axis and Allies: WWII (board game): A board game of epic proportions, the depth and scale of this game puts Risk and Monopoly to shame. If you enjoy strategy games, this World War II game is a must!
Axis and Allies: WWI (board game): See above about the original version (World War II). This is a World War I variation of the game that is worth a mention in its own right (if you can find it).
Battle Cry (board game): This game about the American Civil War is a classic that many have forgotten. Try it out.
Victoria II: Revolutions (video game): Very few games have the detail of this one. Victoria II is an in-depth real-time strategy game set during the Industrial Revolution. A player can take control of any (and I do mean any) country on the planet and guide it for a century. Replay value is extremely high.
Dragon Quest Builders (video game): Taking popular elements from several genres, this game is a very popular Nintendo Switch game for kids. Even some adults have been known to become enthralled with it *cough, cough*.
Podcasts
Revolutions: Mike Duncan’s current podcast, Revolutions, is an ongoing look at several different revolutions such as the French, American, and Haitian revolutions among many others. Trust me; you are missing out if you do not listen.
History of Rome: The best Roman history podcast available. Period. Keep in mind that the podcast started near the beginning of the podcast era, but the quality really picks up as it moves along. This one got many a podcaster interested in podcasting, and sparked the career of the host, Mike Duncan.
History of Byzantium: Duncan’s Roman podcast ends when the western half of the Roman Empire falls. This podcast picks up in the east and continues the story for the next 1000 years. Robin Pierson, the host, was inspired by Duncan and does a great job of carrying on the story in way familiar to Duncan’s listeners.
Presidential: Looking for an enjoyable podcast about American history and politics? This one is a very strong candidate. Washington Post reporter Lillian Cunningham hosts the podcast as it delves into the life of each American president one episode at a time. She interviews leading experts on each and does not fail to both educate and entertain.
Culpable: True Crime podcasts have become popular recently, and here is one many of you may be unfamiliar with. It follows the death of a young man (boy) in Mississippi and investigates the details of the case. It is a story of love, ineptitude, deceit, and family.