With the pandemic keeping everyone inside, many people are finding a lot of free time on their hands. Some are discovering new hobbies or shows to keep them occupied during their time at home. I too am spending my days a similar way. During these trying times, I have found new books, music, and anime that I enjoy. Here are some of my past quarantine favorites:

One activity that I did for the majority of my days indoors was read. From Atomic Habits by James Clear to Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, I not only consumed a diverse variety, but also a plethora of books. Out of them all, The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller was by far my favorite. The book follows Homer’s classic text, The Iliad, through the eyes of Patroclus — Achilles’ infamous companion and it is beautifully written, using whimsical and poetic language.  

During virtual learning, I listened to a lot of music to get me through my assignments as well. As I journeyed on my quest to create the perfect playlist, I came across a band that now makes up a large majority of my playlist: Glass Animals. Glass Animals is a psych-pop band from the UK consisting of members Dave Bayley (singer and songwriter), Ed Irwin-Singer (bass), Drew MacFarlane (guitar) and Joe Seaward (drums) that produces Alternative/Indie songs. I first came across their album, Dreamland, which has now become my most listened to album. It is a semi-biographical album that retells and reflects on the life and experiences of Dave Bayley with each song having a little backstory connected to it. I especially liked the song Heat Waves, which filled me with nostalgia as it explores the idea of embracing change and defeat.

Lastly, I’ve also been catching up on and discovering anime (Japanese cartoons) during my time at home. One new anime that engrossed me was Yuukoku no Moriarty (Moriarty the Patriot), which is a mystery anime centered around professor James Moriarty, a villain that appears in author Sir Arther Conan Doyle’s series: Sherlock Holmes. In the anime, we get to see the behind the scenes of the “Crime Consultant” James Moriarty, a knowledgeable math professor that helps the common people take down corrupt nobles. Almost every episode features a new murder, which takes the viewers on a thrilling adventure to figure out how Moriarty plotted each death. The show even features a friendly rivalry with the well known Sherlock Holmes, where Holmes– a detective– tries to solve the crimes committed by Moriarty. Overall, it is an exciting anime that keeps the viewers guessing and anticipating what happens next. 

In summary, the pandemic has created an opportunity for me to discover and enjoy many new mediums. From The Song of Achilles to Glass Animals to Yuukoku no Moriarty, I am glad to have found these things that help keep the boredom away. I’m sure all of you have come across something new during quarantine that you’re also obsessed with. So tell me, what are your quarantine favorites?