10 Books Under £5 To Escape Quarantine

Whether you’re an avid reader or you’re a social butterfly looking for a way to occupy your evenings while in self-isolation, books provide a much-needed form of escapism for everyone who reads them. You can immerse yourself in a fictional world one week and explore life lessons from true stories the next.

From fantasy to bestselling non-fiction, we’ve listed our 10 favourite books under £5 that everyone should read to help them with quarantine cabin fever. Each book is currently available on our AwesomeBooks website. With free UK delivery across all orders and global shipping from just £2.99, you can buy books at bargain prices, no matter where you’re self-isolating.

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone

The perfect form of escapism for children and adults alike, J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series has inspired readers to experience the magic of Hogwarts and the many quirky characters the prolific author’s books include.

For those who are familiar with the saga or would prefer a more interactive reading piece, the Harry Potter trivia books provide a chance to escape with others and challenge yourselves to see how much you remember. The Harry Potter Quiz Book and the Philosopher’s Stone DVD are great for you and your family to test your knowledge of the wizarding world and experience the magic with the film companion. Get twice the entertainment for a bargain price by purchasing both for less than £5!

If you’re a big fan of the series, check out this celebratory edition of The Philosopher’s Stone.

2. Reasons to Stay Alive

A poignant bestseller with a true story to tell, Matt Haig’s Reasons to Stay Alive teaches readers how to make the most of their time in the world and not lose hope. The thought-provoking book reveals how Haig overcame an illness and his process for learning how to enjoy life again. A moving book, which offers amusing insights to keep readers engaged, Reasons to Stay Alive is available for £4.16.

3. A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A comedic play that’s truly deserving of its classics status, William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream seamlessly blends humans and supernatural beings in a love story that shows how beauty can be found in confusion. Demonstrating to readers that order can be restored after a series of light-hearted mishaps, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (£1.88) and provides a much-needed source of entertainment for all ages during troubling times.

4. Me Before You

For those who prefer a more modern romance, Me Before You is Jojo Moyes’ first book in the gripping trilogy about the importance of the decisions we make and how to find love in the most unlikely of places. A New York Times bestseller which was also made into a film, Me Before You is £2.57, and its sequels After You and Still Me are £2.57 and £2.48. A bargain!

5. Wild: A Journey from Lost to Found

A true story turned into a 2014 film with Reese Witherspoon, Cheryl Strayed’s Wild tells the inspiring tale of Strayed’s long hike towards hope. A 1,100 mile trek made alone, Wild (£2.36) provides an incredible journey of self-discovery during testing times.

6. Case Histories

Prize-winning author Kate Atkinson’s first Jackson Brodie novel, detective novel Case Histories places readers in a gripping mystery that explores the unlikely connections between humans that initially seem disconnected, to find out if you can really reconcile your past. The first of five books, Case Histories , and the subsequent One Good Turn, When Will There be Good News?, and Started Early, Took my Dog can all be found for under £3 each.

7. Aesop’s Fables

First published in England in 1484, Aesop’s Fables explore human nature through larger-than-life anthropomorphic creations. An Ancient Greek fabulist, Aesop was thought to be the first writer to give animals human qualities, with his classic fables providing much-needed moral guidance. From the Boy Who Cried Wolf to the Tortoise and the Hare, the Aesop’s Fables collection of short, beloved fictional stories can provide enjoyable life lessons for all ages for the bargain price of £1.88.

8. The Call of the Weird

Louis Theroux’s The Call of the Weird documents the journalist and documentary filmmaker’s fascinating visits to individuals who view the world differently. Theroux’s unpredictable and therefore gripping journey involves encounters with someone who claims to be a serial killer of aliens and a Neo-Nazi whose twin daughters formed a folk group for kids centred on the theme of white supremacy. Discover America through the eyes of those with alternative beliefs in The Call of the Wind from £1.88.

9. Home Declutter Books

Who says staying at home has to be boring? Being in self-isolation will give you the opportunity to start decluttering and give your home some much needed TLC. Lillian Too’s 168 Feng Shui Ways To Declutter Your Home (£2.48) is a great book for rearranging your furniture and organising your storage efficiently, while finding a spiritual connection with your living space.

10. Meal Prep Books

When you need to leave your fictional world and wish to plan ahead, Annabel Karmel’s Family Meal Planner (£2.57) provides a time-efficient and cost-effective way of prepping meals, which can be used during coronavirus and after we overcome the pandemic. For meal inspiration including recipes your children can make with you, the Family Meal Planner will enable you to organise your meals while also offering a fun family activity to help pass the time and distract from self-isolation.

If you’re looking for fresh home-cooked meal ideas for your little ones, Annabel’s number 1 bestseller Baby and Toddler Meal Planner (£1.88) includes updated recipes, as well as tips and advice to help with planning your child’s meals.

If these titles aren’t appealing to you, you can explore our full range of used and new books , which is updated daily. We offer free express delivery in the UK across all of our new and pre-owned books, CDs, DVDs and games, so it won’t be long before you can escape the boredom of self-isolation.