ReadersMagnet recommends these five inspiring reads about survival, grit, and overcoming adversities during these challenging times.
The latest global pandemic is bringing the world to heel. Governments and world leaders are trying desperately to contain the virus, protect the economy, and guide their people to survival while the threat of the coronavirus looms large across the globe. But if there is anything that we humans have proven throughout history, is that our ability to adapt and overcome adversities is second to none. Here are five books that feature our uncanny skill for fighting for survival.
Ashfall by Mike Mullin
Imagine enjoying your usual weekend- playing computer games at home and hanging out with friends, then suddenly a supervolcano erupts. In a blink of an eye, Alex’s hometown is now a dark, violent world of ash and desolate landscape. He is alone at home when the volcano erupted His entire family is in Illinois visiting their relatives. Alex decides to head east to find his family, after seeing a neighbor kill three looters. Alex must trek through miles of falling ashes, dropping temperatures, and torrential storms to reunite with his family. Ashfall is a story about one man’s sheer determination to come home to his loved ones.
The Martian by Andy Weir
One of the most successful self-publishing stories in recent years, Andy Weir’s The Martian tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, a botanist, and an engineer. In 2035, Watney along with five other crew of NASA’s Ares 3 mission landed in Acidalia Planitia. A violent storm forced them to evacuate. Mark was impaled by an antenna and lost contact with the crew. Presumed dead, they decided to take off without him. Mark awakens after the storm and realizes he is alone. He must now figure out a way to survive on the planet while waiting for a viable rescue mission. The book is a gripping tale of one man’s determination to return home alive.
Twist of Fate by Anita Fisk
Twist of Fate is the sequel to Anita Fisk’s novel Unintended Sacrifices. The book follows Sunny Gardner, whom we met in the first book, as she escapes from her captors. After being kidnapped and sold to a human trafficking ring for three years, Gardner gets the chance to escape from her kidnappers. Sunny Gardner is desperately fighting to survive in Twist of Fate. Anita Fisk takes the readers to another gripping drama that features the horrors and trauma of human trafficking. It is a must-read sequel for all fans of Anita Fisk and readers of a suspense thriller.
Lone Survivor by Marcus Luttrell
I’m quite sure many of us have seen the blockbuster movie starring action star Mark Wahlberg. Lone Survivor is a real account by Marcus Luttrell. Luttrell is the sole survivor during the June 2005 encounter with the Taliban forces, where three of his team members were killed. Luttrell is a former Navy SEAL. Marcus Luttrell wrote the book with the assistance of Patrick Robinson, a novelist, and ghostwriter. If you love action scenes and military narrative, Lone Survivor is the book to grab.
Between Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston
The book became more popular after a movie starring James Franco was released in 2010. It tells the story of how Aron survived 127 hours while being trapped in a slot canyon. The book features Ralston’s childhood, his love for outdoor adventures, his past experiences, and his entrapment in Bluejohn Canyon in the Utah desert. Published in 2004, the book is a light read yet offers many lessons on how to overcome fear, anxiety, and adversities. A worthwhile read to say the least.