Two of my heroes are getting me through this pandemic — Dr. Fauci and Richard Powers. Following the doctor's orders to shelter in place, I curl up with a novel by the polymath whom I consider the best living American author. Peppered with references from Aristotle to Einstein to ad jingles (often in the same sentence), Powers' novels range in unlikely-until-him subject matter such as the rainforest, computer code writing or soap manufacturing, made vivid by his poetic, yet laugh-out-loud way with words, and characters. The only common thread: They're all long. Really long. Thus, perfect for pandemic reading.
Carla Waldemar, Minneapolis
Quarantine Reads are recommendations of books to help us through these fraught times. Send your suggestion, with your name and city, to books@startribune.com
