There is no denying that surviving a lockdown through a pandemic is challenging. With millions of people suddenly finding themselves inundated with free time, a luxury often missed, boredom is bound to set in. Fret not, for there are ways to make this lockdown more fun and productive with man best inanimate friend- books.

Get out your Kindle that has been gathering dust, or figure out if a building friend can lend you their copy. Here a few recommendations you can consider:

The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg

This Pulitzer-prize winning journalist and author nails productivity using science. Sharply written with examples from the civil rights movement to how decisions are made in leading global organisations, Duhigg explains how habits can be changed for personal and organisational transformation. What started as a topic of interest at a reporting stint in Baghdad, became an obsession and inspiration for this book. It a must-read for anyone looking to lose weight or lose unproductivity.

The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

A case-study in himself, this American entrepreneur, author, and podcaster shows the world how they can work smart, not hard. Ferriss doesn believe in slogging over-time and delaying vacations for after retirement. Based on his own life experiences, this Princeton alumnus talks about effectively using the 80/20 principle, telecommuting, and re-prioritising to earn better, and a live better life. Although a tad bit winding, the book is a good read for those looking to lose the label of orkaholicand awaken their entrepreneurial spirit.

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell

A New Your Times bestselling author, journalist, and public speaker, Gladwell brilliantly adopts concepts from psychology and behavioural economics to tell you why in an era of information overload, sometimes, a spontaneous decision is the best decision. An exciting read replete with witty writing and well-articulated examples, Blink is not without its critics. Many believe that the book dismisses the importance of critical thinking in favour of hin-slicing drawing inferences based on limited information. However, if you are looking for a book to provide you with some productivity hacks while keeping you hooked, Blink is the book for your quarantine woes.

Essentialism:The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown

Aptly captured in the title, is the essence of the book. One of the Young Global Leaders, as inducted by the World Economic Forum, this Stanford alumnus, says what everyone else is afraid to accept: less is more. McKeown book shows the importance of prioritising what matters and not following the herd. Being busy is not important, he says. But doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right manner is. Given the pressure to onquer it allduring this lockdown, this book is welcome validation for those who only wish to focus on what matters to them.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

No list of ecommended Books on Productivityis complete without mentioning this bestseller from 1989. The Harvard alumnus shows his readers how adopting an bundance mindsethelps achieve self-growth. Covey aligns the 7 habits along a aturity continuum he posits that we go from being dependent to independent to interdependent through our lives, and at each stage, we adopt certain habits to get to the next stage.

His focus on character development has appealed to generations over the decades and helped sell over 25 million copies worldwide. An excellent book for a lockdown, as it also compels you to reflect and ponder over your own values systems and ethics.

As you read through these books, remember that you can take it slow. You are not obligated to turn into a whole new productive self at the end of the lockdown. Read for the joy of reading and knowledge, and self-growth will follow.

Stay safe!