How to get fresh literature during the lockdown

Yes yes, I'm sure you prefer a physical book. It's a tactile treat and, in the age of too much screentime, it's a rest for the eyes. But beggars can't be choosers and hard times call for compromises. Even if you don't have an e-reader, you can download an app for it on most devices and within that are a wealth of books. Also, all classics are available for free so if there are some classics left on your to-read list, you can easily get them here. There are a few other advantages of e-books- international releases will be as easily available just after release and some novellas by authors that were never physically published can be found on e-bookstores.

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If you have never enjoyed an audiobook, this is the perfect time to try one. It's especially nice if you're social distancing alone for it provides a voice in the silence . Audiobooks are not childishly patronising, like the children's book readings, but a separate work of art. They're usually read aloud by professionals and sometimes by celebrities or the author themselves, and can provide hours of entertainment. Some even like to multitask, listening to them while cooking, exercising or doing housework.

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These are different from audiobooks for they can be more dramatic and have many readers doing different voices, instead of just one reading the book and it's often in a different format from a novel. It's done for plays and/or scripts made from other forms of fiction. It is like a script reading or a radio play. For those who find audiobooks dull, these are a great alternative.

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Those who don't know what fanfiction is are in for a treat. It's a story set in a preexisting fictional world by fans rather than the original author. It adds all levels of imagination to a masterpiece and can take the story where the author never would have gone. It's easily available online and some popular franchises like Harry Potter and Star Wars have whole websites dedicated to their fanfiction. The best part is fanfiction isn't limited to books, it can be written on anything from TV shows to video games so you can find a literary side to anything you're a fan of. It's nicer sometimes to read fanfiction on things other than books for not all writers can maintain the original writer's style, which feels wrong. Keep in mind though that many writers are teenagers trying their hand at writing so some may be terribly written, but the good ones are worth the hunt.

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Even if you always detested the reading habits of those close to you, you might be desperate enough to give them a try right now. From your family to your flatmates, chances are you can rummage out some books. Also if you're close to your neighbors and know they're hygienic people who have been maintaining social distancing properly, you might even considering sharing books with them. Do sanitise the books you borrow though.

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Many authors have been in other writing fields like journalism and many still write articles. This is especially true for non-fiction writers. If you're missing the words of your favourite author, you might be able to find their articles online. Bestselling authors like Yuval Noah Harari and Arundhati Roy often write articles and their words and thoughts are always a pleasure to peruse.

Even if your favourite author doesn't get articles published, they might have a blog, a column or an immersive website. This might stand true for celebrities you like who are not authors as well; many comedians, politicians and some screenwriters have blogs they update frequently and they're likely to have more time to update it right now. Reading their unfiltered opinions could be a new way to enjoy their writings. Some authors even put a lot of additional information about their books online which are a delight to discover. Free e-books, chapters removed by the publisher, novellas, or parts of their books from another character's perspective are some of the many treasures you can find.